1. How do I find the zoning designation of my property and what does it mean?
  2. Can I operate a business from my home?
  3. Can I establish an accessory dwelling unit in my home?
  4. Can I place a multifamily use on my single-family-zoned property?
  5. How can I determine how many units I can have on my multifamily-zoned lot?


1 - Q. How do I find the zoning designation of my property and what does it mean?
A. To identify your property's zoning designation, click on our Research website link and then on Parcel Data. Use the tool to enter your address, and then click on the "View" link next to your address. "Zoning Info" is the second section on the Parcel Data Sheet. Your designation is listed under "Base Zone." If you click on that heading, you can see a table of all zoning designations, and a brief description of each.

Don't have a specific address or want to view the zoning of a larger area? DPD's Zoning Maps page, an online version of the DPD Map Books, allows you to view current zoning information on Seattle properties and neighborhoods.

To find out what your zoning designation means, see our list of Zoning Classifications. 

Visit DPD’s Applicant Services Center (ASC) if none of these resources resolve your question. See our Permits website for more information.

2 - Q. Can I operate a business from my home?
A. In single family and multifamily zones, home occupations are permitted as a use accessory to a single family home. There are a number of conditions for allowing a home occupation and for general information on establishing a home occupation, a CAM 236, Home Occupations Allowed in Residential Zones, is available for review online or in the Applicant Services Center.

3 - Q. Can I establish an accessory dwelling unit in my home?
A. In single family and multifamily zones, an accessory dwelling unit may be established in a single family home. For general information on establishing an accessory dwelling unit in a single family home, see CAM 116, Establishing a New Accessory Dwelling Unit, online or pick it up in DPD's Applicant Services Center (ASC).

4 - Q. Can I place a multifamily use on my single-family-zoned property?
A. No, multifamily uses are not allowed in single family zones. A single family house with an accessory dwelling unit (see CAM 116, Establishing a New Accessory Dwelling Unit) is not considered to be a multifamily structure.

5 - Q. How can I determine how many units I can have on my multifamily-zoned lot?
A. The maximum number of units that may be placed on a multifamily-zoned property other than midrise (MR) or highrise (HR) zones is based on the multifamily zoning designation of the property and the lot size. This if referred to as the “density” standard.

There are other factors that will determine the maximum number of units that will affect the maximum number of units that may be possible such as allowed height of a structure, lot coverage, setbacks, etc. For very general information on development standards in multifamily zones, see the Multifamily zoning chart.