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.