A backyard cottage is a small living space allowed on the same lot as a single-family house, but physically separate from it.
In August, 2006, Mayor Greg Nickels signed Ordinance 122190 that allows backyard cottages in single-family zones in Southeast Seattle (south of I-90 and east of I-5). The ordinance became effective on Sept. 14, 2006.
Attached accessory dwelling units (also known as granny flats, or mother-in-Law units) are allowed on any single-family lot throughout Seattle – as long as they are attached to the main home.
The Mayor is interested in expanding affordable housing options and supports alternative housing choices as a means to provide it. A community-led task force in Southeast Seattle developed an Action Agenda recommending backyard cottages as a way to address housing affordability and to help existing homeowners stay in their homes.
The following Client Assistance Memos have been published for your information:
- CAM 116A, Establishing an Attached Accessory Dwelling Unit
- CAM 116B, Establishing a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit
- CAM 606, Illegal Dwelling Units
For more information on how to apply for a permit to build a backyard cottage on your property, visit our permits page.
Background information on this legislation is available in Acrobat PDF format:
