EVERETT — The Lynnwood City Council unanimously adopted a unified development code Monday to comply with state legislation and consolidate its zoning regulations.
The council faced a June 30 deadline before it would have to implement a model ordinance prepared by the state.
The code changes reflect new state requirements regarding accessory dwelling units and middle housing. Adopting the code is a step in increasing housing affordability, said Karl Almgren, community planning manager, at Monday’s meeting.
“These words on paper matter,” council President Nick Coelho said at the meeting. “These words on paper will create more home ownership opportunities in our city. These words on paper will improve housing affordability in the city by getting those who can afford to own out of the rental market.”
The new code, to comply with state law, allows four units per lot if one unit is affordable. It also allows four units if the lot is within a quarter mile of a major transit stop, such as a light rail or bus rapid transit station.
The city will allow up to three units per residential lot if the units are single-family homes, accessory dwelling units or middle housing. This is above the state requirement of two units per lot for a city of Lynnwood’s population.
Consolidating Lynnwood’s development codes will make reviewing the code more efficient, Almgren said, which could decrease permit timelines and lower the total cost of development.
Per additional state legislation, the code also eliminates parking requirements for affordable and senior housing and lowers the requirement for single- and multifamily dwelling units.
One point of contention among the council was fire sprinkler requirements. South County Fire recommended the code be updated to require fire sprinklers for any new residential construction. Currently, fire sprinklers are only required for one- or two-family dwellings 500 feet or further from a fire hydrant, or properties that have three or more attached dwelling units.
Deputy Fire Marshal Alex Jennes referenced a December 2024 fatal residential fire in a house that was built in 2003.
“At that time it was new construction, it was built to all the codes,” he said. “It’s not that old though. As we look at creating more units around some of these existing structures and densifying, containment and fire spread to adjacent structures is our priority concern associated with the ability to have fire sprinklers included as a requirement with new construction.”
Some city council members raised concerns about the cost of fire sprinklers — which could total thousands of dollars per home — and how requirements could exacerbate the housing affordability crisis.
“We want to do a little more looking at that. This is a difficult safety choice for the City Council,” council member David Parshall said. “On the one hand, we really respect South County Fire, we respect our planning staff here in the city of Lynnwood. On the other hand, the housing affordability crisis presents its own safety concerns that we have to think about.”
The council tabled a decision on fire sprinklers to December, when the council also has to adopt a critical areas ordinance as part of the development code. Almgren said planning staff also want to address food trucks and short-term rentals in a future code update.
Council member Patrick Decker said his “yes” vote came with reservations, including eliminating certain parking requirements and tabling the fire sprinkler decision.
“Our job is to protect our community,” Decker said. “We have heard over and over from stewards of safety for our community, the fire department, that fire sprinklers save lives.”
The council also unanimously passed a City Center and Alderwood subarea plan, which combines the two areas as a targeted region for development. The city expects an influx of population growth as the light rail system continues to expand, including a planned station near Alderwood Mall.
Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.
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