Continuing to implement a comprehensive One Seattle Housing Agenda, Mayor Harrell also sends to Council two new pieces of legislation to increase ADU production and office-to-housing conversions
Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell joined State leadership and housing developers to sign new legislation that will boost the production of co-living housing opportunities Seattle.
Also known as micro-apartments or single-room occupancy buildings, co-living housing provides residents with small, independently rented living and sleeping areas and communal kitchen spaces or other common facilities in the building. These units cost below market rate, often renting for $850 to $950 a month, creating an opportunity for more affordable housing throughout the city.
“To bring down housing costs and serve residents at all stages of life, Seattle needs more housing and a more diverse range of housing options,” said Mayor Harrell. “Removing barriers to developing co-living and congregate-style residences is a commonsense way to increase housing supply and diversity in neighborhoods that have great access to jobs, transit, and other amenities. I’m grateful for the partnership with our State leaders as we continue to work together to drive tangible solutions to reduce housing costs and make Seattle an inclusive, welcoming, and thriving city where more people can afford to live and call home.”
The legislation updates Seattle’s land use code to remove restrictions and limitations on congregate residences in compliance with Washington State Engrossed House Substitute Bill 1998 ahead of the December 2025 deadline. The bill will allow congregate residences in all zones that allow multifamily housing, removes design standards to add more flexibility in configuration of communal areas, and removes parking requirements with 0.50 miles of major transit stop.
“This bill offers people more options for affordable housing,” said State Senator Jesse Salomon (D-Shoreline). “Not everyone is best served by a focus on single family homes. Because the price rental price point is low, this will help young people live in high-demand areas like Capitol Hill and will help retirees create communities amongst themselves. It is important that we continue to create a diversity of housing options.”
“Co-living was unnecessarily burdened by outdated regulations. This legislation unlocks the potential to provide much-needed affordable housing options, while also recognizing there isn’t a single solution to our housing crisis,” said State Representative Mia Gregerson (D-SeaTac). “I am thankful local jurisdictions are beginning to implement this commonsense solution, and I look forward to additional solutions we can bring to the table this upcoming legislative session.”
Mayor Harrell also announced that he transmitted two new pieces of legislation to the City Council’s Land Use Committee related to increasing housing opportunities: a bill to update Seattle’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) code to allow two ADUs per lot and dual detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU) configurations across all residential zones, and a bill to pursue a sales tax exemption on construction projects converting nonresidential space into housing following a change in state law.
These efforts are part of Mayor Harrell’s One Seattle Housing Agenda to support greater housing production throughout the city, increase affordability, and cut through red tape. In addition to the One Seattle Plan which will add new housing opportunities throughout the entire city, efforts include boosting the production of accessory dwelling units (ADUs); establishing a design review holiday to encourage more residential developments in downtown; passing new incentives for office-to-residential conversions; advancing a new redevelopment plan for affordable housing at Fort Lawton; passing the largest housing levy in City history in 2023 which will build over 3,100 new affordable homes; swiftly implementing new State law to exempt residential and mixed-use projects from SEPA review; proposing legislation to permanently exempt affordable rental and homeownership projects from design review; amending land use code to allow for more workforce housing in Georgetown; and updating the City’s maritime and industrial lands policy to create more housing opportunities and healthier transitions to industrial areas.
“From harnessing the creativity of our design and development communities to make office-to-residential conversions possible, to envisioning a more equitable Seattle through our comprehensive plan major update, the Office of Planning and Community Development is proud to lead on key elements of Mayor Harrell’s One Seattle Housing Agenda,” said Rico Quirindongo, Director of the Office of Planning and Community Development. “Today’s legislation to remove restrictions on co-living and congregate housing will open the door to more affordable options at a time when Seattle rents are out of reach for many and will contribute toward a more vibrant city for the future.”
“Co-living is a form of housing that creates plentiful, inexpensive homes, uses a fraction of the energy of conventional housing, helps people connect to form community, and allows people to live in neighborhoods they’d otherwise be priced out of,” said David Neiman, Partner at Neiman Taber. “This legislation is an update to our zoning code based on a new state law that requires cities to allow the development of co-living housing anywhere they allow multi-family housing which means that people who need inexpensive homes get to live in neighborhoods with good parks, services, and walkable amenities, not just along busy arterials.”