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Sequim council adopts state-aligned housing code updates, including expanded ADU rules and supportive-housing parking exceptions
Summary
Council adopted SMC 18.21, which implements state-mandated housing changes: allows up to two accessory dwelling units per lot (1,000 sq ft cap), administrative lot splits, removes parking requirements for permanent supportive housing, and establishes affordable-housing exceptions and a 25% density bonus for religious-property affordable projects. Vote: 6-0.
The Sequim City Council voted unanimously to adopt SMC 18.21, the city's supplemental housing requirements intended to implement mandatory state housing statutes and remove local barriers to a range of housing types.
Senior planner Travis Simmons told the council the chapter brings Sequim’s code into compliance with recent state laws and clarifies definitions and use tables. Key provisions include permitting up to two accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on city lots with a 1,000-square-foot maximum for an ADU and allowing ADUs to be sold independently of the primary unit; the city will still use lot-coverage and density to determine feasibility when an ADU is converted to a separate unit of land. Simmons said the city "cannot prohibit" sales or owner-occupancy restrictions that the state forbids. (Travis Simmons)
Other notable changes adopted: administrative lot splits and unit-lot subdivisions per state mandate; reduced parking stall widths and other minimal state parking changes; explicit removal of parking requirements for permanent supportive housing projects (staff said this will remove a barrier for providers); temporary housing provisions that allow emergency shelter on religious properties with coordination requirements; and a 25% density bonus for religious-property affordable housing projects, with the affordable-housing exceptions process available for larger deviations.
Council action and context: The city had no remote or in-person public comment on this public hearing item. Councilor Butler moved adoption and the ordinance passed on roll-call vote 6-0. Staff said additional parking and engineering standard issues will be addressed as part of the city’s comprehensive-plan updates.
What this means: The changes align Sequim with statewide housing requirements, expand ADU flexibility for property owners, and create a council-controlled pathway to consider density and design exceptions for nonprofit affordable housing projects.
