Planning Work Program

Identify potential code amendments to implement a minimum residential density for new development in the Station Area, as well as miscellaneous code amendments to improve clarity of KZC 57. This project will be coordinated with a project led by the City Manager's Office to explore Economic Development activation strategies.

Adopt KMC/KZC provisions related to code enforcement policies, procedures, and regulations.

Pursuant to State legislation requirements, adopt code amendments to expand housing opportunities on faith-based organization owned properties.

Similar to, but separate from the CAR process, complete administrative work to implement a new process for community members to requests amendments. 

Note: In 2026, City Council provided direction to staff to finalize the application and review process for Neighborhood Plan Amendment Requests, and also directed that the first NPAR applications will be accepted in 2028.

Provide Planning support to the Public Works Stormwater Division to fulfill requirements for a State Dept. of Ecology grant for a Community-Based Public Private Partnership (CBP3) framework that the City has already received, and that requires grant-supported work to begin in 2025.

Collect and aggregate housing data to complete required annual reporting to King County, PSRC, and State agencies. Includes ongoing maintenance of Kirkland's Housing Dashboard.

Note: this task is an ongoing annual task that spans all Planning Work Program years.

Zoning Code amendments to reduce parking requirements citywide to implement State requirements that limit the minimum number of parking spaces jurisdictions can require for developments.

Subdivision Title (KMC 22) and/or Zoning Code amendments to implement State requirements to allow for lot-splitting citywide.

Per Council direction prior to adoption of the new affordable housing requirements in low density zones (2025), no later than June 30, 2026, the Planning and Building Director will propose for City Council consideration alternative affordable housing methodologies for affordable housing requirements in low density residential zones. This task could be expanded to consider affordable housing requirements citywide.

Consider implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tools for application submittals and permit review.

Grant-funded visioning and strategy planning to document certain existing conditions and establish a framework for a future sub-area plan to implement Comp Plan policy TL 33.1. Includes focused stakeholder engagement.

Review home occupation allowances and consider amendments to allow types of home occupations that may not comply with current guidelines (e.g., restrictions on number of clients per day). The scope of this project will also explore potential code amendments to increase flexibility for neighborhood-scale commercial uses in primarily residential zones.

The project seeks to require short-term rental platforms to provide information to the City about short-term rentals, to aid in code enforcement.

10-year update to the Urban Forestry Strategic Management Plan, previously adopted in 2013.

Near-term code adjustments to identify and improve existing sticking points in middle housing permit review, and that could include incentivizes for the retention of existing dwelling units in middle housing projects. Code adjustments will not include changes to: heights; setbacks; affordable housing requirements; tree protection requirements; units per acre limits; stormwater mitigation requirements; and could include changes to: floor area ratio; lot coverage; incentives for developments built for aging in place; incentives for off street parking; clarifications to floor area ratio exemptions; adjustments to square footage allowances for cottages; and increasing flexibility for existing dwelling units within middle housing projects.

Pending final approval by Governor Ferguson, Zoning Code amendments to implement State Senate Bill 6026 to expand residential allowances to all commercial and mixed-use zones where the use isn't currently allowed, and to ensure consistency with State limitations on ground-floor commercial requirements in mixed-use zones citywide. Task scope may be expanded to capture other minor 2026 State Legislation Implementation, if needed.

Update KZC on various priority topics to reflect current practice, clarify sections of the Code, and promote good planning principles.

Adopt mandatory updates to Capital Facility Plan and miscellaneous updates and rezones for park acquisitions.

Evaluate the existing process for reviewing CARs and consider changes to apply to future requests.

Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of affordable housing requirements in all areas of the City, in order to consider any adjustments in context with all other requirements and prioritizing consistency and predictability.

Identify opportunities to simplify development standards in low-density residential zoning districts by completing actions including, but not limited to: consolidating the number of individual zones into related and simplified groups based on existing conditions and planning objectives; eliminating or combining zones that only apply to a limited number of parcels; and standardizing development standards across similar zones when appropriate. Review potential reduction of minimum lot sizes in consideration of State legislation changes that increase lot segregation options and reduce utility of differentiated minimum lot sizes across LDR zones.Supported by Comp Plan Policies LU-1.1, LU-1.3, and LU-4.2.

Develop and implement procedure improvements to streamline and make the permitting process for moving structures more effective, and develop additional incentives to encourage retention and reuse of existing structures.

Update the SSP to acknowledge completed projects since adoption in 2020, and make amendments to incorporate any relevant new state legislation and needed action items for the next 5 years.

Explore the long-term market for light industrial/manufacturing lands and explore additional residential capacity in the Totem Lake Southern Industrial Subarea by undertaking a comprehensive subarea planning process, including extensive community engagement, in alignment with a new adopted policy in the Totem Lake Business District Plan.

Review Zoning Code and Building Code regulations to incorporate Universal Design elements.

Identify and remove regulatory barriers to development in the City's Center Mixed Use (Neighborhood Center) areas including, but not limited to: reducing or eliminating minimum parking requirements, removing land aggregation or minimum parcel size requirements, increasing nearby housing densities, and removing minimum lot size per housing unit requirements. Includes consideration of consolidating all neighborhood center zones into a standard NC Zone. Supported by Comp Plan Policy LU-5.8.

Adopt code amendments to implement State-requirements for minimum densities, minimum floor area ratio allowances, and reduced parking requirements within proximity of transit stops.

Update KZC to clarify rules, enhance aesthetics, reduce visual clutter, and integrate recently-completed work on A-frame signs

Update KZC on various priority topics to reflect current practice, clarify sections of the Code, and promote good planning principles.

Review CAR applications submitted by 2026 deadline and identify which applications should proceed to further study.

*Note: this task will is only necessary if the City receives CAR applications by the December 2026 deadline.

Review standards that enable vehicle charging infrastructure and encourage utlization of electric vehicles.

Review r.o.w. management policies and regulations for streeteries, sidewalk cafes, TNCs, short term parking and other curbside uses

Adopt mandatory updates to Capital Facility Plan and miscellaneous updates and rezones for park acquisitions.

Buidling on the 2026 Middle Housing Focused Optimization, Zoning Code amendments to optimize middle housing production across residential zones, and explore Citywide opportunities to expand inclusionary zoning requirements based on additional development incentives.

Explore potential code amendments with a focus on potentially increasing housing allowances per the high-bookend studied in the Station Area Plan SEIS and exploring affordable housing requirements in the CBD.

State-required periodic update of the Shoreline Master Program.

Complete a land capacity analysis of housing units and jobs to inform the City's State-required Comp Plan progress report due to the State in 2029.

Review zoning for LWSD facilities (current sites and potential future) for opportunities to increase capacity for students and District housing.

Update KZC on various priority topics to reflect current practice, clarify sections of the Code, and promote good planning principles.

Adopt mandatory updates to Capital Facility Plan and miscellaneous updates and rezones for park acquisitions.

Conduct a planning process to update the 2018 Housing Strategy Plan and identify specific actions that will implement housing policies adopted in the 2044 Comprehensive Plan. Develop a community engagement program that implements 2044 Comprehensive Plan policies regarding equity and innovative public engagement.