Middle housing can come in many different forms, and the land use code defines what is under the middle housing scope. The type and number of required construction permits varies depending on the scope of the middle housing project. This guide is intended to provide some direction on the required permits for small residential projects based on their scope.
The City of Bellevue has adopted middle housing land use code updates to comply with House Bills 1110 and 1337, which require cities to allow more diverse and denser housing types in residential areas.
What is the correct permit type?
One building permit is required for each building
Each independent building is required to have its own building permit. The type of permit will depend on the number of units in the structure and the total number of units on the property. The building permits can be a “one- and two-family residence” (BS) permit, or a "middle housing" (MH) permit. The middle housing permit type is specifically for single structures containing three to six dwelling units. Projects with more than six units in a single structure, including ADUs, are required to follow the commercial multi-family permitting process. If there are more than six total units on the site, excluding cottage homes, the projects will be required to follow the commercial multi-family permitting process.
A separate site review permit may be required
Where the project includes multiple buildings that each contain dwelling units, a separate site permit is required so that the project site can be reviewed as a whole. This is a Clearing and Grading (GD) permit and the plans and documents uploaded to the GD and to the building permits should be coordinated.
Structures with up to two dwelling units
Where a building contains one or two dwelling units, the required building permit type is a “one- and two-family residence” (BS) permit. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) permitted in the Land Use code are treated as regular dwelling units for determining permitting. This includes the following: a single-family home, duplex, single-family home with an attached ADU, a detached ADU and a single-family housing unit.
Structures with between three and six dwelling units
Where a building contains between three and six dwelling units, the required building permit type is a “middle housing” (MH) permit. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) permitted in the Land Use code are treated as regular dwelling units for determining permitting.
This permit also includes:
- Clearing and grading
- Demolition work, if required
- Right of way work on-site and in the public right of way
- Storm drainage connections
Contact a Utilities representative for information about water and sewer services.
Submittal Information
Apply for this permit online at MyBuildingPermit. When entering your Application Information, choose the following:
- Application type: Building
- Project type: Middle Housing
- Activity type: New Construction
- Scope of work: Residence
Required documents
The documents listed below are the minimum necessary to proceed with the application process. If you believe that a required submittal document does not apply to your project, please upload the Document Waiver Form in place of that required document.
- Arborist Report
- Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (CSWPPP Short Form)
- Disconnection of Water/Sewer Service Form
- Storm Drainage Report
- Structural or Lateral Calculations
- Construction Design documents (Single PDF, Bookmarked, including all plans below)
- Construction Design documents must be submitted as a single PDF. This helps streamline the review process. When submitting the multi-plan set PDF, bookmarks are required. The text for each bookmark should correspond to the specific plan types, as listed below.
- For assistance with electronic plan submittals, refer to Requirements for Electronic Plans..
Additional Documents
These items may be required during plan review, as determined by the scope of your project.
- Adult Family Home Requirements
- Critical Areas or Shoreline Land Use Permit
- Geotechnical Report
- Major Transit Stop Proximity Map
- King County Health Department Approval
- required for installation of septic tanks or if the dwelling is served by a septic system, and if there is a private well on the property. During review, submit your approval in the form of a letter or stamped plan from the King County Health Department.
- School Impact Fee Form
- Issaquah and Renton School Districts
- Summary Statement of Special Inspections Form
- Title Report
- Sites that are not platted require a title report to locate easements and verify legal status.
- Oil Tank Decommissioning