Co-living housing is a permitted use on any lot located within an urban growth area that allows at least six multifamily residential units, including on a lot zoned for mixed-use development, excluding lots where six units are permitted only through an affordable housing density bonus, such as under RCW 36.70A.635(1)(b)(iii). Co-living is a permitted use in the following zoning districts: RA-3,600, RM-2,400, RM-1,800, RM-900, RM-900A, RM-900B, PR-R, I-C, C-C, D-C, PR-C, and T-C.
(Ord. 1836, 12/4/2025)
The purpose in providing for co-living is to authorize the development of rental homes affordable to people with moderate to low incomes that do not require any public funding, and to be consistent with RCW 36.70A.535.
Co-living housing provides options for people who:
(1) 
Wish to lower their housing expenses by paying less for a smaller home;
(2) 
Prefer a living arrangement with shared community spaces that facilitate social connections; or
(3) 
Want a low-cost, more private alternative to having a roommate in a traditional rental.
Co-living housing supports workforce housing, reduces pressure on the limited amount of publicly-funded affordable housing, provides housing for seniors and other single-person households which reduces demand for family-sized rentals, and supports very low-income people, supportive and recovery housing, and "housing first" homes for the formerly homeless.
Co-living housing is well-suited for the conversion of office buildings to housing, because it typically requires less plumbing and fixtures for kitchens and bathrooms, while meeting the state building codes for modern health and safety standards.
Co-living housing, because the units are small, is inherently more energy efficient than standard apartments, both saving residents money and reducing the state's energy demand.
When located near transit hubs, employment centers, and public amenities, co-living housing helps achieve greenhouse gas reduction goals by increasing walkability, shortening household commutes, curtailing sprawl, and reducing the pressure to develop natural and working lands.
(Ord. 1836, 12/4/2025)
As used in this chapter, unless the context or subject matter clearly requires otherwise, the words or phrases defined in this section shall have the indicated meanings.
"Co-living housing"
means a residential development with sleeping units that are independently rented and lockable and provide living and sleeping space, and residents share kitchen facilities, and may share bathroom facilities, with other sleeping units in the building.
"Kitchen"
means a room or part of a room which is used, intended, or designed to be used for preparing food. The kitchen includes facilities, or utility hookups for facilities, sufficient to prepare, cook, and store food, and wash dishes, including, at a minimum, countertops, a kitchen-style sink, space and utilities sufficient for a gas or 220/240v electric stove and oven, and a refrigerator.
"Kitchenette"
means a room or part of a room which is used, intended, or designed to be used for basic food preparation, with a sink and at least one 120v electrical outlet.
"Major transit stop"
means:
(a) 
A stop on a high capacity transportation system funded or expanded under the provisions of chapter 81.104 RCW;
(b) 
Commuter rail stops;
(c) 
Stops on rail or fixed guideway systems, including transitways;
(d) 
Stops on bus rapid transit routes or routes that run on high occupancy vehicle lanes; or
(e) 
Stops for a bus or other transit mode providing actual fixed route service at intervals of at least 15 minutes for at least five hours during the peak hours of operation on weekdays.
"Shared kitchen"
means a kitchen that is used, intended, or designed to be used by residents of multiple dwelling or sleeping units for preparing food simultaneously.
"Sleeping unit"
means an independently rented or owned and lockable unit that provides living and sleeping space.
(Ord. 1836, 12/4/2025)
Room dimensional standards shall minimally meet the Washington State Building Code, including dwelling unit size, sleeping unit size, room area, and habitable space.
(1) 
Co-living units may be provided in a mix of sizes and number of rooms;
(2) 
Co-living developments are not required to include other types of land uses;
(3) 
For purposes of calculating dwelling unit density, a sleeping unit in co-living housing is no more than one-quarter of a dwelling unit.
(4) 
Sleeping units may include kitchenettes, but shall not include kitchens;
(5) 
Where open space standards are applied based on the number of dwelling units, one half of the open space requirement will be required for sleeping units that is required of dwelling units.
(Ord. 1836, 12/4/2025)
(1) 
Off-street parking shall be provided at a rate of 0.25 off-street parking spaces per sleeping unit;
(2) 
No off-street parking is required for co-living units within one-half mile walking distance of a major transit stop as defined in RCW 36.70A.030;
(3) 
Parking requirements may be defined by an empirical study, approved by Commerce;
(4) 
Parking requirements of the underlying zoning district apply, if the project site is located within a mile radius of the Sea-Tac Airport.
(Ord. 1836, 12/4/2025)
(1) 
The review, notice, or public meeting requirements for co-living housing shall be the same as those required for other types of multifamily residential uses in the same location, unless otherwise required by state law.
(2) 
Co-living housing development may be included in an affordable housing incentive program, such as RCW 36.70A.540.
(3) 
For purposes of calculating sewer connection fees, a sleeping unit in co-living housing is no more than one-half of a dwelling unit, unless a finding, based on facts, is made that the connection fees should exceed the one-half threshold.
(Ord. 1836, 12/4/2025)