Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves zoning change to allow co‑living housing; resident warns of small unit sizes and parking impacts
Summary
Sumner City adopted a zoning text amendment to permit co‑living housing where six‑unit multifamily is allowed. A resident who lived in co‑living housing described micro‑studio sizes (about 150–400 ft²) and warned of parking and accessibility problems; council noted the change implements state law.
Sumner City Council adopted Ordinance 2953 on April 6 to amend the zoning code to allow co‑living housing in zones that permit multifamily structures of six units or more, a change driven by state law.
Community and Economic Development Director Ryan Windish told the council the amendment adopts the state’s definition of co‑living housing — independently rented sleeping units with shared kitchen facilities — and applies multifamily design standards to those developments. He said the planning commission unanimously recommended approval and that staff does not recommend a parking study at this time.
During public comment, resident Nick Beerman, who said he previously lived in co‑living housing in Seattle, urged the council to consider practical impacts. “We’re talking about units that vary from about 150 ft² to about 400 ft². So, we’re talking dorm‑room size, less than most hotel rooms,” Beerman said, adding that most units lack full cooking facilities, that the model tends to attract younger single residents rather than families or many seniors, and that limited on‑site parking can shift cars to the street.
Beerman also described accessibility concerns in older co‑living buildings and recommended the council weigh parking and accessibility outcomes. Council members noted the ordinance responds to a state mandate and thanked staff for tailoring the language for Sumner. After discussion the council voted 5‑0 to adopt the amendment.
The ordinance makes co‑living part of the multifamily definition and leaves design standards and parking requirements governed by existing multifamily rules; staff said a targeted parking study was not required for adoption. The measure passed on a recorded 5‑0 vote; implementation details and permit requirements for future projects will proceed through the normal planning and permitting process.
