A new review from the City of Seattle makes the case for easing restrictions on backyard cottages and mother-in-law apartments, as well as restricting the size of newly built houses in the city.
Daniel Beekman | Seattle Times
Easing regulations on backyard cottages and mother-in-law apartments would make Seattle more affordable and reduce teardowns of older houses, particularly if the city also tightened restrictions on the size of new houses, says a new review that could lead to action by the City Council.
Due out Thursday, the review by the city says allowing more and larger accessory-dwelling units would help Seattle become denser without any major impacts to parking, traffic, utilities and neighborhood aesthetics.
Under the review’s top-choice proposal, which Councilmember Mike O’Brien wants to introduce as legislation, the city would allow two accessory units on a lot rather than one, would no longer require off-street parking for accessory units and would no longer require owners of properties with accessory units to live on site.
To read the story in full, click here: New review could pave way for more backyard cottages in Seattle while restricting ‘McMansions’
