thinking about a backyard cottage? want to find out more?

Microhouse and Ncompass Cottage Company are offering convenient, concise informational workshops to help you learn more about backyard cottages.

You’ll learn about the history of backyard cottages, current codes and regulations, financing options, planning and design considerations, and how to select an architect and builder.

“Smaller cottages can be thought of as income producing rental properties, equity building additions, or perhaps as a warm safe place to have an aging parent live close by,” said Stefan Hansmire of Ncompass.

Ncompass Cottage Company provides folks all over the Puget Sound with affordable, environmentally sound and sustainable backyard and small lot cottages. The company’s philosophy can be summarized this way: Smaller homes on existing lots mean more affordable housing, less demand on municipal infrastructure, better use of immediate resources, and more flexibility for everyone.

Bring your photos and sketches and get answers to all your cottage questions.

Workshops are offered June 22, June 29 and July 13, from 7:00 – 8:00 PM, at the Community School of West Seattle, 9450 22nd Avenue Southwest.

For more information or to RSVP for a workshop, contact bruce@microhousenw.com or call 206-428-8599.

seattle backyard cottages 1st year retrospective

Over one year has passed since the Seattle City Council adopted legislation to allow backyard cottages in all single family zones.  Roughly 50 cottages have been built in Seattle. Join Council members, architects, and backyard cottage owners as they discuss and review what they look like, their scale, and where they're appearing.  The brown bag lunch will occur tomorrow, Thursday, May 12th and feature Seattle City Council member Sally Clark as well as architects, homeowners and planning commission members and others interested in backyard cottages. 

Time:

Thursday, May 12, noon – 1 p.m.

Where:
Council Chambers, second floor
City Hall, 600 Fourth Ave, Seattle, WA 98104

seattle backyard cottages one year on

The Seattle City Council's Committee on the Built Environment met yesterday to discuss the backyard cottages that have been built or are in the permitting process since the expanded backyard cottage ordinance went into effect in November of 2009. The discussion included council members, architects, and one homeowner who recently built a backyard cottage. 


The focus of the meeting was a formal presentation of a report by the Seattle Department of Planning and Development.  The report shows that the number of new backyard cottages to be just over 50 with a 58% of those being conversions of existing structures.  The new structures were spread throughout the city. A map of the new cottages is included in the report.


During the meeting panel members and the public had an opportunity to discuss the new ordinance and evaluate it success. All present seemed to share enthusiasm for the ordinance. Challenges addressed by homeowners building cottages were discussed including height limits  parking, and privacy issues.  


backyard cottage report


Based on our experience we would suggest the following.

• To take solar access to adjacent properties into consideration when evaluating roof forms that extend above 17 ft. 
• Allow a height bonus for sloping lots similar to that allowed in lowrise zones.
• Allowances for extra insulation to increase the roof height.
• Allow backyard cottages on lots in shoreline buffer areas where the cottage would be outside of the buffer. 
• Further clarification on the parking waiver process or the ability to obtain a binding decision about  parking waiver request prior to the commencement of a project.

Other interesting ideas. A trade off; eliminate a required parking space in exchange for a rain garden or other offset to the increased impervious surface created by the new structure.

report concludes backyard cottages are a positive addition

The results of a report focusing on the first 18 months of the expanded backyard cottage ordinance is being discussed by the City Council's Committee on the Built Environment today at noon.  To watch the meeting click the following link.

http://www.seattle.gov/councillive/

City of Seattle – City Council's Committee on the Built Environment today reviews a report on backyard cottage development in Seattle over the past 18 months. In November 2009, Council adopted legislation allowing construction of backyard cottages on eligible lots in single-family zones throughout the City.  Fifty-seven units have been permitted since. 

Report concludes that:

·         Backyard cottages are evenly spread-out over the city

·         Many owners matched designs with the existing house

·         Siting, design, and neighborhood fit of the completed cottages is consistently positive

·         Units are generally well-screened from the street

·         Many have been converted from existing garages

·         Only three of the 57 units requested a waiver for parking requirements

“Backyard cottages create affordable housing options, help someone pay their mortgage and to make a room for a son or daughter moving back home," saidCouncilmember Sally J. Clark.  "We're seeing a range of design and most appear to fit in really quite well."

The report, developed by the Department of Planning & Development, includes photos, site layout, and additional information on each of the 57 backyard cottages.  Page nine also includes a map showing the diverse geographic spread of backyard cottages throughout the City. 

For more information on backyard cottages, also referred to as "detached accessory dwelling units," visit the Department of Planning & Development’s website.

When:            Today, Thursday, May 12, noon - 1 p.m.

Where:           City Hall Council Chambers, second floor

600 Fourth Ave, Seattle, WA 98104

What:             Backyard cottage discussion

Who: Seattle City Councilmember Sally J. Clark


Representatives from the Department of Planning and Development Seattle Planning Commission

Architects and designers

Backyard cottage owners