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Commission reviews draft ADU and unit-lot subdivision code to meet state requirements
Summary
Planning staff presented draft changes to adopt unit-lot subdivisions and consolidate accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules: the draft allows multiple ADUs in some cases, proposes reduced setbacks, and restates parking requirements with an exemption for areas within a half-mile of major transit stops (none currently in Yelm).
Planning staff reviewed a packet of draft zoning-code changes on March 17 that would implement state-mandated unit-lot subdivisions and consolidate accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules into a single chapter.
“The big things are allowing 2, ADUs per lot,” Gary, a city planner, told the commission, summarizing the draft language and the sections still highlighted for review. Staff said the draft pulls ADU references out of multiple chapters and places them in one consolidated section to reduce duplication.
Key provisions discussed:
- ADUs per lot: staff described the draft as allowing up to two ADUs per lot in certain residential zones and including limited allowances in commercial zones only when an existing single-family residence is present.
- Setbacks and building placement: staff proposed reducing rear-yard setbacks in some cases (examples discussed included reducing a 25-foot standard to 20 feet or to 15 feet for ADUs) to provide more flexibility for subdivision and building design.
- Parking: staff read the parking requirement verbatim: “1 off street parking space per accessory dwelling unit shall be provided in addition to the primary dwelling unit.” Commissioners noted state guidance that parking requirements do not apply to ADUs located within a half mile of a major transit stop; staff and commissioners observed Yelm has no qualifying major transit stops, so the exemption currently has no local effect.
- Commercial zones and conversions: the draft would allow ADUs in certain commercial zones only where a primary single-family residence already exists; conversions that create a primary single-family dwelling in commercial zones were discussed as constrained under the current draft.
Commissioners raised consistency issues (for example, references to accessory buildings versus accessory structures) and questioned side-yard setbacks in the central business district; staff agreed to scrub definitions and return revised language. Staff outlined next steps: collect further comments over the next two weeks, prepare a consolidated packet, hold a public hearing and run SEPA review, and submit the code changes to the Washington State Department of Commerce for GMA consistency review (a 60-day process that can sometimes be expedited for code amendments).
No final votes were taken on the code amendments at the meeting; staff said they expect to package the proposed changes into one hearing packet and bring it back to the commission for a public hearing and further action.
