Stay informed. Get involved. Learn about Somerset Impacts. Important message, please translate: 重要信息，请翻译成您的语言

While the legislation establishes a minimum of how many units may be permitted on a lot, Bellevue has flexibility in how its development regulations accommodate these units in order to encourage Middle Housing development. These areas of flexibility include changing the building code requirements for building height, setbacks, lot coverage, etc. to accommodate multi-family zoning.

Somerset’s covenants prevent multifamily housing, so why does this matter to us?
Somerset’s covenants do not allow for multifamily housing, but the City of Bellevue issues permits regardless of our covenants, as the City is not responsible to validate covenant compliance prior to issuing a permit. The Bellevue permit process does not ensure compliance with (or inform applicants of) Somerset’s single-family covenants. Somerset needs to decide if it wants to remain a SF neighborhood, and if so, multifamily housing, short-term rentals, and ADUs need to be actively restricted, relying on the enforcement strength of the SF covenant provision.

Will the Covenant Review Committee (CRC) deny multifamily remodel applications?
Since Somerset’s covenants do not allow for multifamily housing, the CRC will deny all multifamily remodel applications. However, the CRC cannot force homeowners to go through the CRC application process. In divisions that do not require CRC approval for building or remodel projects, neighboring homeowners will need to act directly.

Who is responsible for enforcing a CRC remodel denial?
Per the covenants, it is up to individual homeowners to legally enforce and prevent the multifamily home from being constructed.

Are Somerset’s covenants banning multifamily housing legally enforceable?
SCA has consulted its attorney who is a land use expert. Our current position is that HB1110 and any resulting city code change does not preclude the application of the covenant limitation to single-family residences. However, state and local laws are always changing, and ultimately individual judges will interpret the law as they see fit. Please also consult your personal attorney.

How can we prevent this from escalating into legal battles?
The SCA wants to engage with the City of Bellevue to see if applicants can be better informed when entering the permitting process. The SCA is looking for volunteers to join a committee that will identify strategies aimed at mitigating the impact of middle housing on individual homeowners. We highly value your input on this matter. Please provide your feedback through the following poll:

Middle Housing Code Amendments Update
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Thank you to those who have already RSVP'd for our information sessions next week! If you haven't, don't miss your chance to learn about upcoming changes to middle housing regulations in Bellevue. The City will host three public information sessions to present key aspects of the draft middle housing regulations. Register online for one of the upcoming information sessions.

Upcoming events

• Monday, Feb. 24 6:30-7:45 p.m. Virtual via Zoom
• Thursday, Feb. 27 6-7:15 p.m. at City Hall, Room 1E-112
• Monday, March 3 12-1:15 p.m. Virtual via Zoom

Middle housing refers to housing types that fall between single-family homes and mid-rise multifamily buildings, including accessory dwelling units. These sessions will also explain how the proposed regulations align with recent state laws requiring most cities to allow these housing types more widely in residential areas. Community feedback on the draft will be collected and shared with the Planning Commission. Learn more on our Middle Housing project webpage.
Questions? Please contact Kirsten Mandt, Senior Planner via email or 425-452-4861.

YOUR FEEDBACK IS REQUESTED! Stay informed, impacts on Somerset

Somerset’s covenants prevent multifamily housing, so why does this matter to us?
Somerset’s covenants do not allow for multifamily housing, but the City of Bellevue issues permits regardless of our covenants, as the City is not responsible to validate covenant compliance prior to issuing a permit.

Will the Covenant Review Committee (CRC) deny multifamily remodel applications?
Since Somerset’s covenants do not allow for multifamily housing, the CRC will deny all multifamily remodel applications. However, the CRC cannot force homeowners to go through the CRC application process. In divisions that do not require CRC approval for building or remodel projects, neighboring homeowners will need to act directly.

Who is responsible for enforcing a CRC remodel denial?
Per the covenants, it is up to individual homeowners to legally enforce and prevent the multifamily home from being constructed.

Are Somerset’s covenants banning multifamily housing legally enforceable?
SCA has consulted its attorney who is a land use expert. Our current position is that HB1110 and any resulting city code change does not preclude the application of the covenant limitation to single-family residences. However, state and local laws are always changing, and ultimately individual judges will interpret the law as they see fit. Please also consult your personal attorney.

How can we prevent this from escalating into legal battles?
The SCA wants to engage with the City of Bellevue to see if CRC approval or covenants can be considered as part of the permitting process. The SCA is looking for volunteers to join a committee that will identify strategies aimed at mitigating the impact of middle housing on individual homeowners. We highly value your input on this matter. Please provide your feedback through the following poll: