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

microhouse at boeing earthday fair 2011

Thank you everyone who stopped by our booth during the fair to talk about backyard cottages and small house design.  It will be fun to see where some of the cabin ideas lead. Unfortunately, the photos are classified. 

micro cottage housing - traditional village typology re-imagined

Microhousing is a concept that is adapts the spatial and social dynamics of traditional communities and re-imagines them to create modern urban villages. It embraces simplicity and connection to place and community.  As people seek to live more simple purposeful lives microhousing has been enjoying a resurgence in popularity. 

Comfortably accommodating all of the functions and activities in a tiny house requires thoughtful design.  The multiple domestic and social demands of living require the small spaces to be flexible and adaptable. For example, a single room may need to be, at one time, a dining room and, at another, a bedroom. Because the interior spaces are small natural lighting and the visual continuity to the outside is vitally important. Careful placement of windows, doors, and wall openings brings the outside in and makes the interior seem more spacious.  In a sense, the exterior spaces become an important as the interior layout itself.  The careful balance between the two is the hallmark of a vibrant community. Our design team is at the forefront of innovating concepts within this spatial and social framework.

Microhouse is an award winning collaboration of architects, landscape architects, designers, and constructability experts who are passionate about the design of small houses and their communities.  As a young flexible team we are energetic, resourceful, and creative. Our collaborative approach to design allows us to draw on a vast resource of knowledge that we apply to our projects both local and worldwide.  This approach allows us to fully realize our clients’ goals on a wide range of projects.  We take pride in creating innovative designs that are closely tailored to local conditions and construction technologies.  Stay tuned for more information on our global projects.

Vancouver B.C. Micro Cottage Housing

image courtesy of studio 216

Located on the outskirts of Vancouver, local zoning code allows for a multi-story high rise development on the site.  However, the local rental market would not support the cost of development. Microhouse and the owner teamed up to for this innovative affordable housing solution.  The 30 units will house at risk youth and social workers. The units are based around a series of overlapping courtyards that will facilitate small group interactions and provide support for the residents.

The owner plans to start the process by building the first shelter, as a backyard cottage, in his own back yard as a prototype. Thank you to Studio 216 for the beautiful rendering.

backyard cottages - spotlight auburn washington

Auburn like many cities has developed a comprehensive plan to develop strategies and policies to sustain and enhance those attributes that currently make it a desirable place to live. 


The City identified accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as one viable strategy to help meet the dual goals of increasing housing options and density while maintaining and enhancing the quality of the community. The initial inclusion of attached ADUs was one step.  Then seeking greater flexibility and following the example of other northwest cities like Portland Oregon, Auburn revised their zoning code further.  In June of 2009 Auburn began allowing detached accessory dwelling units (backyard cottages) in all residential zones.  


The general requirements for a backyard cottages in the City of Auburn:


Size:              not to exceed 50% of the primary residence or 950 sq. ft. whichever is less.
Style:              to match primary residence
Parking:         1 additional space.
Occupancy:   owner occupancy required in one of the two units.

build a cottage to support the non-profit community

The City of Seattle depends on over 440 volunteers in addition to other nonprofit workers to meet basic needs and create healthy communities for all of its residents.  However, the cost of housing in Seattle has increasingly become a barrier for young people wishing to serve in this community.

Microhouse has been working with a property owner in Vancouver to develop a small affordable housing prototype for homeless youth and for social workers.  The same idea can work Seattle and other cities with high rental rates and allowances for backyard cottages. Backyard cottage (detached accessory dwelling units) ordinances allow homeowners to build cottages on their lots.  Why is this important? It essentially provides free land, a barrier to affordable housing. It also allows individuals to take a primary role in supporting the non-profit community and to benefit materially as well. A small cottage can be built and financed for less than the equivalent in market rent, allowing the individual home owner to subsidize the volunteer to the degree that they are comfortable with. Construction financing for the service module with a 10 year home equity line of credit will be approximately $550/month. When compared with an average monthly rent of $980.

Building and leasing to the nonprofit community allows for:  

• Affordable housing for volunteers who work in your neighborhood 
• Access to a large pool of employed, responsible tenants 
• Your engaged support of the nonprofit community 
• Rents equivalent to development costs or subsidized at your discretion
• Additional household income from renting