On June 24, the Bellevue City Council adopted ordinances to implement the requirements of House Bills (HB) 1110 and 1337. These amendments updated Bellevue’s Land Use Code and City Code to expand the number and type of housing units permitted in residential areas of the city.
Background
With the passage of HB 1110, state law requires cities like Bellevue to change local comprehensive plans and development codes to allow up to four housing units per lot (six per lot within one-quarter mile walk of a major transit stop or when two units are affordable) in a variety of housing types. In addition to single-family style buildings, residential areas need to allow other housing types including cottage housing, courtyard apartments, stacked flats, and townhouses. Lots are still limited to the maximum permitted density regardless of what housing development type is used in the project. The legislature also passed HB 1337, which required Bellevue to update its comprehensive plan and development code regulating attached (AADUs) and detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs). These are other forms of housing that can be used to meet the additional units per lot requirements of HB 1110.
Bellevue already allowed many of the housing types listed in HB 1110 and 1337, but in limited areas. Bellevue amended its comprehensive plan and development codes to meet the state requirements to allow these types of housing; however, individual property owners, residential developers, and the housing market will ultimately determine what gets built.
Additional information on changes is available in the city's comprehensive plan.
Middle Housing Development Regulations
While the legislation established some minimum requirements for development, there are many aspects of development not addressed in the legislation, allowing cities to develop code to fit the local context. Bellevue included flexibility in its development regulations to accommodate these new types of units encourage middle housing development. These areas of flexibility include requirements for:
- Building height
- Setbacks
- Lot coverage
- Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
- Unit lot subdivisions
- Parking
- Site design for cottage housing and courtyard housing:
- Common space
- Landscaping
Additional Information
Planning Commission public hearing documents and strikedraft
Staff Report and March Strikedraft
Draft Middle Housing LUCA (February 2025 Draft)
Information Sessions Presentation (Feb. & March)
Draft Middle Housing LUCA (February 2025 Draft)
Missing Middle Housing Questionnaire Report
Missing Middle Housing Engagement Report
Middle Housing Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
| Date | Meeting, Event or Action Taken | Links |
| 1/15/2023 | City Council Study Session | City Council Initiation |
| 10/9/2024 | Planning Commission Briefing | Planning Commission Meeting Agenda Materials |
| 11/18/2024 | Virtual Information Session | Event details |
| 12/5/2024 | In-person Information Session | Event details |
| 12/9/2024 | Virtual Information Session | Event details |
| 2/12/2025 | Planning Commission Study Session | Planning Commission Meeting Agenda Materials |
| 2/24/2025 | Virtual Information Session | Event details |
| 2/27/2025 | In-person Information Session | Event details |
| 3/3/2025 | Virtual Information Session | Event details |
| 3/12/2025 | Planning Commission Study Session | Planning Commission Meeting Agenda Materials |
| 4/9/2025 | Planning Commission Public Hearing | Planning Commission Meeting Agenda Materials |
| 4/23/2025 | Planning Commission Study Session | Planning Commission Meeting Agenda Materials |
| 5/13/2025 | City Council Study Session | City Council Meeting Agenda Materials |
| 6/10/2025 | City Council Study Session | City Council Meeting Agenda Materials |
| 6/24/2025 | City Council Public Hearing | City Council Meeting Agenda Materials |