Ruston council adopts state-required middle-housing ordinance

Ruston’s City Council voted 5-0 on June 17 to adopt Ordinance No. 1591, a revision of the city’s land-use code meant to bring the city into compliance with recent Washington state middle-housing legislation. Kirsten Peterson, a senior project manager with SCJ Alliance, summarized the ordinance during the council’s second reading and action.

Peterson said the ordinance "allows two units per lot in residential zones" consistent with Ruston’s Tier 3 designation and permits specific middle-housing types including duplexes, stacked flats, cottage housing and courtyard apartments. The ordinance also updates accessory dwelling unit standards to allow up to two ADUs per lot, authorizes zero-lot-line and unit lot subdivisions, and revises parking and architectural guidelines. Peterson told the council the changes were made to comply with HB 1110, HB 1337 and HB 2321 and to avoid the state’s model code taking effect locally if the city did not adopt conforming legislation by June 30, 2025.

Councilmember Jensen thanked staff and consultants for incorporating public and council feedback and said she supported adoption while asking that parking be put on a future agenda for more detailed discussion. Councilmember Syler moved approval; Councilmember Hedrick seconded and the ordinance passed unanimously. The technical memo and ordinance in the record note targeted edits made after public testimony, including reduced side-yard setbacks and clarified definitions to align with state requirements.

The council’s action preserves Ruston’s ability to administer local land-use decisions under the Growth Management Act while implementing the state-mandated changes. Next procedural steps will be the usual ordinance publication and filing of the adopted code amendments.