The City of Seattle is conducting an environmental review process to study possible effects of changing rules for building accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single-family zones.
ADUs include backyard cottages, known as Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (DADUs), and in-law apartments, known as Attached Accessory Dwelling Units (AADUs). The first phase of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process is to determine the scope of the study, and we want your input on what to consider and analyze as we explore allowing more ADUs in Seattle’s neighborhoods.
ADUs are small, secondary dwelling units inside, attached to, or in the rear yard of a single-family house. The City’s proposal involves allowing both an in-law apartment and a backyard cottage on the same lot, removing the existing off-street parking and owner-occupancy requirements, and changing some development standards that regulate the size and location of backyard cottages. Based on a decision from the City’s Hearing Examiner in December 2016, we’re preparing an EIS to review the potential environmental impacts of this proposal.
During the scoping phase, you can help us determine the alternatives we’ll study, potential environmental impacts to consider, and possible measures to avoid or reduce the effects of the proposal. Comments are due by 5:00 p.m. on November 1, 2017.
You can comment online; by email to [email protected]; by mail to Aly Pennucci, Council Central Staff, PO Box 34025, Seattle, WA 98124-4025; or in person at one of two public meetings, including from 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at Hale’s Ales (in the Palladium), 4301 Leary Way NW.
