Kenmore City Council amends regulations for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) 

Kenmore, WA – On September 14, the Kenmore City Council amended the City’s regulations for accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, to reduce barriers to development.  ADUs are smaller, secondary dwelling units located on single-family lots. 

While ADUs are currently allowed in Kenmore, the amended regulations eliminate some roadblocks to ADU development such as required parking and a minimum residential lot size.  The amended regulations also allow a reduced rear yard setback for an ADU and require owner occupancy of either the main house or ADU only for an initial six months after ADU completion. 

In reviewing the ADU amendments, the City Council noted that ADUs provide a variety of benefits, including support for the elderly and intergenerational households. ADUs also are an effective means to support more affordable housing in the City. The City’s Housing Strategy Plan recommends creating incentives for construction of ADUs to support development of more affordable housing.

ADUs can be “attached” or “detached.” Attached ADUs are more common and located inside or in an addition to a preexisting single-family residence, often involving the conversion of a garage or basement into an independent living space. Detached ADUs are smaller, separate structures from the primary residence. 

Additional background information about ADU regulations can be found online at www.kenmorewa.gov/ADU.