Housing

A small cottage with its doors open, revealing living room, behind a larger parent house

Snohomish County Relaxes Urban Accessory Dwelling Rules Ahead of State Deadlines

The Snohomish County Council has further liberalized accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations in urban unincorporated areas, building on reforms enacted in 2021. Spurred by state reforms, the County will be allowing more bulk flexibility and ending common ownership requirements for ADUs, and allowing two ADUs of any type per lot.

Seattle Posts Record Housing Revenue, but Affordable Housing Needs Outpace Supply

The City of Seattle declared this week "Affordable Housing Week" as part of an annual tradition, with the Housing Development Consortium hosting events highlighting...

#Greenwood

As our city continues to discuss how we grow, one phrase that we hear often is “Neighborhood Character.” Often the issue of Neighborhood Character...
Single Family homes.

The Path To Eliminating Single-Family Zoning In Seattle

During every election cycle The Urbanist asks candidates about their support for changing  current single-family zones. This year, every candidate for council except for...
The view of wide, but empty First Avenue looking north toward Downtown, with low-slung industrial, strip mall, and parking lots around it.

Seattle Council Lifts Ban on Housing in Stadium District

The 6-3 vote ends a long debate which rehashed a dormant fight over the future of Seattle's Stadium District. With the door now open to residential uses, industrial advocates warn of the continued erosion of the city's industrial lands.
The six panelists sit at a table with the Urbanist U logo on it and Ryna Packer is off to the side moderating.

Urbanism on the Eastside Panel Hints at Suburban Sea Change

At The Urbanist's “Urbanism on the Eastside” panel earlier this month, panelists discussed a sea change happening in the suburbs that are beginning to urbanize and break free of car dependence. Check out this recap of the discussion.

Climate Action and Housing Action Are One

Seattle’s housing crisis is even worse than you think, and here's the first step to fixing it. Everyone knows Seattle has a housing crisis.  And...

Seattle Planning Commission Remains Steadfast in Support of MHA

As the City Council debates Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) amendments in the lead up to next Thursday's big public hearing on MHA, the Seattle...