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Council adopts co‑living housing ordinance after public concerns; vote 5‑1
Summary
Monroe City Council approved Ordinance 5.2026 to allow co‑living housing consistent with state law (ESHB 1998). A resident raised health and safety concerns during public comment; council debated state preemption and code compliance before passing the ordinance 5‑1 on second reading.
The Monroe City Council adopted Ordinance 5.2026 on June 23, permitting co‑living housing in designated multifamily and mixed‑use zones in order to comply with state law ESHB 1998.
At the start of the meeting, resident Will Schlegel urged the council to resist the state mandate and raised health and neighborhood concerns tied to high‑density shared housing, saying such developments can bring pest and sanitation issues. “You start stacking more people, people come in with scabies... bed bugs and roaches come walking out of their rooms,” Schlegel said during public comment.
Staff presented the ordinance on second reading and explained it updates definitions and land‑use tables (chapters 22.12, 22.18 and 22.2 MMC) so the city’s codes align with the state bill. Ms. Marrero, who introduced the item, said the requested action was to approve the ordinance on second reading and adopt supporting findings.
Council members discussed the implications. Director Bailey and staff advised that the state law preempts conflicting local code and that the city would have to review applications that comply with the state standard. When asked about penalties for noncompliance with state law, staff said they were not aware of direct penalties but deferred to the community development director for details.
Council member Gamble moved to approve the ordinance and Council member Fisher seconded. One council member said they would vote no, citing long‑term unknowns and potential unintended consequences from preemption; other members supported the ordinance as a tool to increase housing options and affordability. The motion passed 5‑1.
The ordinance establishes local regulations to allow co‑living housing consistent with ESHB 1998 and specifies applicable zoning districts and criteria. Staff noted building‑code enforcement, design standards, and land‑use review would still apply during development review.
Next steps: The ordinance took effect as provided by law and staff will process development applications under the amended code and state requirements.
