Federal Way council adopts co‑living housing code amendment; residents raise parking concerns

The Federal Way City Council voted to enact Council Bill 932 on March 3, 2026, approving a co‑living housing code amendment that updates sections of the Federal Way Revised Code related to co‑living units.

Council Member Walsh moved approval of the ordinance at second reading; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

During public comment, resident Barbara Keune urged the council to advocate for better parking standards, arguing small co‑living units with "one quarter parking space per room" will create street‑parking pressures and enforcement burdens. "One quarter parking space per room is not adequate," Keune said, describing personal experience living in older apartments where lack of parking led to towing and conflict. She asked council members to press state leaders for improved standards and to protect neighborhood livability.

Council members completed appointments and earlier consent items before taking up the ordinance. The council did not record an extended debate on the ordinance in the meeting transcript; the ordinance passed at the second reading vote.

Why it matters: The change to co‑living rules affects how smaller housing units can be developed and how many off‑street parking spaces are required per sleeping room. Residents warned that minimal parking allocations could shift parking burdens to surrounding streets and create enforcement issues for city resources.

Next steps: The ordinance was enacted at second reading; staff will publish the amended code sections per city procedures.