SCA x Bellevue Discussion: Taller, 4-6 Family Homes Next to You

REMINDER!  Join the Conversation about Middle Housing with City Council and Planners at Somerset Elementary

Monday June 2, 6:30 PM, Somerset Elementary Gym
Learn about the city reclassifying our neighborhoods from Residential to Middle Housing

The agenda includes a short SCA presentation with Q&A, City Planner Presentation with Q&A, and an Open Mic Discussion.

City Planners have requested that some questions be submitted in advance. You will also have the opportunity to ask additional questions, raise concerns, and offer suggestions during the meeting as well.

Click Here to Submit Your Questions in Advance

If they aren’t able to get all questions answered at the meeting, you can also send emails with questions or statements to the Bellevue City Council at [email protected].

To catch up on the current Middle Housing discussions, please review the video and supporting Middle Housing documents from the recent City Council LUCA meeting, as well as additional FAQs from the city.

ATTN neighborhood association leads: Please share this invite with your neighborhood and email [email protected] if you plan on attending to represent your neighborhood. To help SCA prepare for your attendance, please fill out this short survey.

How does “Middle Housing” affect my property and neighborhood?
If you own a home in a single-family land use district (R-1 through R-7.5), once the regulations are in effect you may be able to have multiple units on your lot. This could include the addition of one or two ADUs with your primary home, or any other combination of units and structure types that works with the space you have and your needs. If you prefer to keep your property as-is that is also allowed under the new regulations. There is nothing in the bill or the anticipated code changes that would require someone to change their property.  

What is Middle Housing?
“Middle housing” or “middle-scale housing” is a term used to refer to residential developments that are more dense than single-family housing and less dense than a typical midrise apartment building, but similar in scale to single-family homes. Middle housing types are determined by the form of the structure and the number of units within the structure and/or development.

Densities included in this definition that describe units per structure include: Duplexes, Triplexes, Fourplexes, Sixplexes

Building structure types included in this definition are:  Townhomes, Stacked flats, Cottages, Courtyard/garden style apartments

When will the new regulations go into effect?
The city is required to adopt regulations consistent with HB 1110 and 1337 by June 30, 2025.

What if my lot has covenants?
The city does not enforce private covenants or Homeowners Association (HOA) requirements. Covenants are private legal agreements—typically recorded in county real property records—that impose restrictions on land use. Many covenants prohibit the construction of any type of dwelling unit besides a single-family dwelling, which is the primary topic of discussion we have heard regarding covenants and middle housing. These covenants are contracts, and both the Washington State Constitution and the United States Constitution limit the extent to which government can interfere with previously executed contracts.

Additional Information:

1. In the news: Urbanist Article regarding the Bellevue City Council Middle Housing Study Session
2. Some State Requirements:
   Middle Housing State Requirements
   ADU State Requirements
3. Some topics to discuss and ask questions about:
   1. State goals
   2. Bellevue Housing goals
   3. Affordability
   4. The types of housing and how they can be mixed and matched with single-family housing
   5. The location of housing and various levels of density
   6. Infrastructure
   7. HOA’s
   8. Tailored design approach for different neighborhoods
   9. Heights, setbacks, tree codes
      
      

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