Skip to main content
Bellevue home
  • Bellevue Home
  • City Government
    • Boards, Commissions and Committees
    • City Code, Resolutions and Ordinances
    • City Council
    • Communications
    • Departments
    • East Bellevue Community Council
    • Hot Topics and Initiatives
    • Public Records Requests
    • Sister Cities
  • Departments
    • City Attorney's Office
    • City Clerk's Office
    • City Manager's Office
    • Communications
    • Community Development
    • Development Services
    • Emergency Management
    • Finance & Asset Management
    • Fire
    • Human Resources
    • Information Technology
    • Parks & Community Services
    • Police
    • Transportation
    • Utilities
  • Discover Bellevue
    • About Us
    • Bellevue Television
    • City News
    • Things to Do
    • Arts in Bellevue
    • Parks and Trails
    • Economic Development
  • Doing Business
    • Building and Zoning
    • Doing Business in Bellevue
    • Doing Business with Bellevue
  • Public Safety
    • Police
    • Fire
    • Emergencies and Extreme Weather
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Municipal Court
    • Neighborhood Traffic Safety
    • Probation
    • Public Defenders
  • Resident Resources
    • ADA and Language Access Resources
    • Customer Assistance
    • Conflict Assistance
    • Diversity Advantage
    • Neighborhoods
    • Newcomers Guide
    • Permits, Parking and Utilities
    • Volunteering
    • Local Service Agencies
City of Bellevue, WA Development Services
English Español 简体中文 繁體中文 日本語 한국어 Pусский Tiếng Việt

Micro-Apartments Land Use Code Amendment

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. City Government
  3. Departments
  4. Development Services
  5. Code Amendments
  6. Recent Code Amendments
bellevue_41370754157.jpg

How may I help you?

This is an artificial-intelligence (AI) chatbot designed to provide general information about various city topics. If you are having an emergency of any kind, please call 911 immediately. The chatbot is still learning about all of our services and may occasionally provide an incorrect answer.

Give Feedback
  • Copied to clipboard

    Recent Code Amendments

    • ADU Three-Year Rule Removal
    • Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Reform LUCA
    • C-1 Affordable Housing Density Bonus
    • EBCC Sunset
    • Existing Building Redevelopment Land Use Code Amendment
    • Family Child Care Homes LUCA
    • Floodplain Regulations Update
    • Increased Affordable Housing Capacity on Faith-Owned Properties LUCA
    • Micro-Apartments Land Use Code Amendment
    • Noise Code Update
    • Noise Control Code Amendment: Construction Noise and Sleeping Areas
    • Objective Design Land Use Code Amendment
    • Permit Streamlining Land Use Code Amendment
    • Quasi-Judicial Land Use Code Amendment
    • Reduced Minimum Residential Parking Standards
    • Residential Occupancy Land Use Code Amendment
    • Shoreline Master Program and SEPA Conformance Amendments
    • Supportive and Emergency Housing Code Amendment
    • Tree Canopy Code Amendments
    • Unit Lot Subdivision
    • Wireless Communication Facilities LUCA

    The city adopted a Land Use Code Amendment (LUCA) to enable and encourage micro-apartment development by removing barriers to their construction in the Land Use Code (LUC) on June 5, 2023.

    Background

    On July 5, 2022, in building upon the city's 2017 Affordable Housing Strategy, the City Council prioritized a set of "Next Right Work" items related to the production of additional housing and affordable housing in the city. Three items were prioritized: 

    • Removing barriers to micro-apartments
    • Allow higher FAR (Floor Area Ratio) for residential (or unlimited FAR or Dwelling Units, DUs, per acre) 
    • Reduce permit fees for affordable housing projects

    On Oct. 10, 2022, the council initiated the first of the Next Right Work items, a LUCA to remove barriers to micro-apartments, and has directed the Planning Commission to process the LUCA. 

    The council held a study session on the LUCA April 24, 2023, directing staff to return with the final ordinance for adoption and to provide further information on the LUCA. At their June 5 meeting, the council adopted the LUCA and directed staff to begin work on adjusting the very small dwelling unit provisions contained within the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program administered by the city. 

    LUCA Overview

    The LUCA removes barriers in the LUC to enable and encourage micro-apartments in the city. Micro-apartments were not disallowed by the LUC, however, previous LUC requirements limited the feasibility and development of micro-apartments. This LUCA will reduce these barriers and encourage the production of this housing type. 

    The LUCA defines micro-apartments within the LUC, requiring that all micro-apartments contain a kitchen and bathroom and are under 320 square feet. Additionally, the LUCA sets a minimum car and bicycle parking requirement, states that micro-apartments are counted as a quarter dwelling unit for density purposes and exempts micro-apartments from the multifamily play area requirements.

    Geographic Scope

    A map of Bellevue that shows the mixed-use areas of Bellevue that allow for both multi-family an commercial uses highlighted in pink and the areas within one-half mile of public transportation that have four or more trips per hour are shown within the dashed lines. For additional details on this map and for assistance with information communicated in this graphic, please contact Mathieu Menard, Senior Planner with Development Services at 425-452-5264 or mmenard@bellevuewa.gov.

    The geographic scope of the LUCA is mixed-use areas within a half mile of transit with four or more trips per hour (pink areas on the map above) or a quarter-mile of transit with two to four trips per hour (purple areas on the map above). The geographic scope is intended to encourage micro-apartments in mixed use areas where multifamily housing is already allowed and locations that are proximate to jobs, shopping, daily needs and services. 

    Project Status and Timeline

    The LUCA was initiated by the city council on Oct. 10, 2022, and was adopted June 5 after public outreach, study and recommendation from the planning commission, and final action by the city council. 

    DateMeeting, Event or Action TakenLinks
    10/10/2022City Council Study Session and Project LaunchCity Council Meeting Agenda Materials
    1/19/2023Community Information MeetingPresentation Materials
    1/25/2023Planning Commission Study SessionPlanning Commission Meeting Agenda Materials
    3/8/2023Planning Commission Public HearingPlanning Commission Meeting Agenda Materials
    4/24/2023City Council Study SessionCity Council Meeting Agenda Materials
    6/5/2023City Council Approval of LUCACity Council Meeting Agenda Materials

     

    Development Services

    Land Use
    Telephone
    425-452-4188
    Hearing Impaired
    711
    Email
    landusereview@bellevuewa.gov

    Reasonable Accommodation

    For alternate formats, interpreters, or reasonable modification requests please phone at least 48 hours in advance 425-452-6800 (voice) or email servicefirst@bellevuewa.gov. For complaints regarding modifications, contact the City of Bellevue ADA, Title VI, and Equal Opportunity Officer at ADATitleVI@bellevuewa.gov.

    City of Bellevue sealCity of Bellevue, WA

    • 450 110th Avenue NE
    • Bellevue, WA 98004
    • Directions to City Hall
    • 425-452-6800
    • servicefirst@bellevuewa.gov
    • Contact Us / City Directory
    • Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

    Footer Menu Contacts

    • MyBellevue Customer Assistance
    • Careers
    • ADA/Title VI Notices

    Languages

    • English
    • Español
    • 简体中文
    • 繁體中文
    • 日本語
    • 한국어
    • Pусский
    • Tiếng Việt

    Request a Translation

    • Request a Translation
    • اطلب ترجمة
    • 申请翻译
    • 要求翻譯
    • अनुवाद का अनुरोध करें
    • 翻訳をリクエストする
    • 번역 요청
    • درخواست ترجمه
    • ਅਨੁਵਾਦ ਦੀ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕਰੋ
    • Запрос на перевод
    • Solicitud de traducción
    • అనువాదం అడగండి
    • ترجمےکے لئے ایک درخواست
    • Yêu cầu bản dịch
    • ትርጉም መጠየቅ

    Social Media

    © 2024 City of Bellevue | All Rights Reserved. | ADA/Title VI Notices | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map