Accessory Units in Seattle

HISTORY

Accessory dwelling units can be traced back to the early twentieth century in cities throughout the United States, prior to the implementation of zoning regulations. In the 1940’s and 1950’s it was common for underutilized spaces within homes to be converted into private living spaces to satisfy changing family needs and provide rental income. Shortly thereafter a boom in urban sprawl and an emphasis on the nuclear family sparked concerns about perceived risks and impacts of ADU’s within neighborhoods, ultimately leading many jurisdictions to prohibit their construction.

Today, in Seattle and many cities throughout the country, the lack of affordable housing has brought this typology back into the forefront. In Seattle, ADUs have been allowed in all single family zoned lots since 1994 and DADUs since 2010 but unfortunately, only about 2,500 units have been constructed. Just 140 miles north in Vancouver, a city with less than half the number of single family homes, the total ADU + DADU count is more than tenfold. How can this be, you ask? Less restrictive regulations, city implemented incentives and a true desire to encourage growth. It's a similar prescriptive path which Seattle will be enacting, pending approval in the upcoming months, which will hopefully lead to similar results.

More in tomorrow's blog. Stay tuned!

Happy Investing!

Today's blog courtesy of David Taber, Neiman Taber Architects

Accessory Dwelling Units

We are very excited about the proposed policy changes currently under review by the City Council that would modify current development standards making it easier to construct Backyard Cottages and Accessory Dwelling Units here in Seattle. Even with the recent appeal from the Queen Anne Community Council, this new legislation is expected to pass by the end of the year. For those not familiar this housing typology, the following is a brief summary of most everything you need to know.

DEFINITIONS

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a self-contained living unit located within a single family house and is often referred to as mother-in-law suite or granny flat. They are typically constructed within basements, attics and attached garages additions. And along with DADUs, they have a separate entrance and their own living space, a small kitchen, a bed and bathroom.




ADU in attic or basement







ADU addition


A Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit(DADU) is a separate living unit located on the same lot as a single family home and is often referred to as backyard cottage or carriage house. They are typically separate, free-standing structures or constructed within or on top of a detached garage.






DADU garage conversion and 2nd floor addition

FYI - in most cities throughout the country, other than Seattle, an ADU is defined as a 2nd separate living unit located within, attached to, or detached from a single family house. Seattle however, has decided to make the distinction between an attached (ADU) and a detached (DADU) accessory dwelling unit - so if you're doing research, keep this in mind.

Happy Investing!

Today's blog courtesy of David Taber, Neiman Taber Architects