Council approves ADU ordinance

The Marysville City Council okays ordinance dealing with mother-in-law housing units

Mother-in-law units will be easier to construct in Marysville after some small changes were recently made to the city code.

The Marysville City Council approved an ordinance on Jan. 10 that makes changes to city law to be in compliance with recent bills passed by the Washington state legislature.

The ordinance dealt with ‘accessory dwelling units.’

“An accessory dwelling unit, sometimes called an ADU or commonly referred to as a mother-in-law unit or accessory unit, is an independent living space that is self-contained,” said Haylie Miller, community development director with the city of Marysville.

The small living spaces are typically built on land which already has a permanent residence. They can be built attached or detached from the main home.

Washington state lawmakers have been making changes so that cities have less regulations regarding the units. “There have been a few legislative actions over the past few years."

The goal is to increase the supply of smaller housing options that are more affordable.

“The state is making these changes to make it so it is easier to build affordable housing options,” said Miller.

Marysville city staff prepared changes to the city code in response to those laws from the state level.

“The city passed this ordinance in order to address a number of state requirements,” said Miller. “These city regulations were definitely out of date."

The resulting effect is reducing some of the regulations on ADUs and making it easier for those who want to construct them in the city.

“This allows for more flexible options related to creating ADUs,” said Miller.

Some ADUs will no longer be required to have a parking space.

“There is no longer a parking requirement if it is located within one quarter-mile of a major transit stop,” said Miller.

Previously, all ADUs were required to have one parking space and that requirement remains for those not near a ‘major transit stop.’

ADUs are now allowed to be larger as well.

“The new code will allow for the size to be up to 50 percent of the primary residence,” said Miller.

Some of the fees related to sewer and water hookups have been reduced as well.

The Washington state legislature may continue to attempt to ease regulations on ADUs in the future.

“There are some requirements that continue to exist that the state may lift in the coming years,” said Miller, such as a requirement that an ADU builder must either live in the ADU or in the primary residence, she said.