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County adopts housing code changes to encourage small and attainable units
Summary
Washoe County adopted two ordinances to create density incentives for small dwelling units and to establish density bonuses and affordability periods for attainable and senior housing, concluding a multi-year package of housing-code reforms.
The Washoe County Board of County Commissioners on June 16 adopted two ordinance packages intended to broaden housing options and speed development of attainable and senior housing in unincorporated Washoe County.
Ordinance 17-59 (second reading) establishes a density incentive for smaller dwelling units under 1,200 square feet. The ordinance, recommended earlier by staff and the planning commission, passed with unanimous support after public comment urging the county to pursue attainable housing solutions.
Ordinance 17-60 creates density bonuses aimed at increasing the supply of attainable housing and attainable senior housing and establishes minimum affordability periods for qualifying units. Planning and building staff described the ordinances as the culmination of more than two years of work to reduce barriers to a wider range of housing types, including accessory dwellings, smaller manufactured housing, modernized multifamily standards, and middle housing facilitation.
Pat Davidson and other community members urged adoption and recommended publicity and outreach to HOAs, builders and developers. Planning director Kelly Mullen praised county staff and volunteers for completing the package and suggested an implementation report at six months or one year to track outcomes.
Both ordinances were adopted unanimously. Commissioners described the actions as an important step in a multi-item housing strategy and asked staff for follow-up reporting on implementation and outreach to stakeholders.
What’s next: Staff will develop implementation materials, outreach to stakeholders and a progress report to the commission on a six- to twelve-month timeline.
