STATUS - On Tuesday, September 16, 2025 City Council adopted Ordinance O-4912 to implement Co-Living Housing in Kirkland. This ordinance brings Kirkland into alignment with State requirements and will go into effect on December 31, 2025.
Project
These amendments, adopted with Ordinance O-4912(PDF, 2MB), updated the Kirkland Municipal Code and Zoning Code to implement Co-Living Housing and comply with State requirements. The amendments will be effective on December 31, 2025.
In 2024, the Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 1998 which requires cities and counties to allow for co-living housing development on any lot that could accommodate up to six multifamily units based on the underlying zone. RCW 36.70A.540 contains the state's codified co-living housing requirements that cities must follow. This code amendment project will implement the requirements of that bill into Kirkland's Municipal and Zoning Codes.
What is co-living housing?
Co-living housing is a residential use type containing independent lockable sleeping units that provide living and sleeping space with communal kitchen facilities that are shared between units. Bathrooms may be within each individual unit or shared between units.
Why are we going to allow co-living housing in Kirkland?
In 2024, the Washington State Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 1998 which requires cities to allow for co-living housing on any lot that could develop six or more multifamily residential units. Kirkland currently allows for a similar housing type, what we call “residential suites”, in select zones, but it does not fully comply with the requirements of this new bill. We are required to amend our Municipal and Zoning Codes by December 31st, 2025, to comply with HB 1998.
How is co-living housing different from residential suites?
Residential suites is an existing use in the Zoning Code that is allowed in select zones within the city. Residential suites have a similar setup as co-living units of individual sleeping rooms and a shared kitchen facility, but the existing Kirkland development standards (e.g. room dimensions, parking) for residential suites are more restrictive than the development standards mandated by State law.
How many co-living housing units will be allowed?
Co-living units will count as a quarter of a dwelling unit for density calculations. So, if a lot would allow for six multifamily units, 24 co-living units could instead be built (if all the development standards are met). This density is a state requirement.
Where will co-living housing be allowed in Kirkland?
The state bill requires cities to allow for co-living housing on any lot that could be developed with six or more multifamily dwelling units. Therefore, they will only be allowed where multifamily development is currently allowed, which is in medium and high-density residential zones, commercial zones, and business districts. These are areas of Kirkland that already have a mix of uses and more dense housing.
Meeting Information
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