Leveling the Playing Field Between Similar Housing Types
State law requires that “Middle Housing” (duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, townhouses, and cottage clusters) be allowed in residential districts subject to requirements that are no more restrictive than for a single house.
For a long time, the County has allowed similar housing types, even in districts where we are not required to allow Middle Housing today. Some of these similar housing types are allowed in more places and might be suited to larger lots and larger households than Middle Housing. Together Middle Housing and these similar housing types can contribute to housing choices for a wider variety of households.
We are looking at differences between processes and standards for Middle Housing and similar housing types and how these differences might be reduced to simplify development of housing.
- Lower-density residential districts. The R-5, R-6, R-9 and R-15 districts all allow both Middle Housing and similar housing types. Under state law, the density of Middle Housing ends up largely the same regardless of land use district. Similar housing types not under the state’s Middle Housing provisions, however, still face more meaningful density differences between districts. Consolidating some, or all, of these districts could help level the playing field by bringing density standards closer together across housing types.
- Building facade standards. Specific requirements for street-facing appearance and garage design do not apply to Middle Housing but do apply to similar housing forms.
- Setback and buffer requirements. Extra setbacks, screening and buffering do not apply to Middle Housing but are required for similar housing types built next to existing pre-1998 homes.
- Approval process. A more intensive, less predictable approval process applies to similar housing types, as compared to procedures for Middle Housing.
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