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Zoning is rarely discussed and often controversial. Yet how and where you live, work, play, etc. is permitted and controlled by zoning. David Toyer, a land use expert and president of Toyer Strategic, shares insights and stories from 20+ years.

Snohomish County to Address Rural ADUs

Ordinance Fix Heads to Planning Commission Tuesday

David Toyer

Aug 18, 2023

In March of 2022, the Snohomish County Council adopted Ordinance 22-006 expanding where accessory dwelling units (ADU) could be permitted, including allowing them in rural zones as a way to provide affordable housing options where a family may want their kids or grandma to live on the same property.

A appeal was quickly filed by Futurewise. And in June of this year, the Growth Management Hearings Board (GMHB) issued its Final Decision and Order in Futurewise v. Snohomish County (Case No. 22-3-0003), which the GMHB ruled against Snohomish County on grounds that allowing ADUs on rural and resource lands that don’t meet the applicable lot standards, the ordinance failed to protect designated agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance and was inconsistent with multicounty planning policies (PSRC Vision 2050) and the county’s own countywide planning policies (with must be consistent with Vision 2050).

To address the Board’s decision, Snohomish County is proposing to allow ADUs in certain rural zones, but reinstate requirements that the lots must meet the minimum size of the underlying zone.

The proposed ordinance will be introduced in a briefing to Snohomish County Planning Commission on August 22nd at 5:30pm. You can view the proposed ordinance here. You can virtually attend the meeting via Zoom here.