• Affordable Housing
• Multifamily Housing Code Rewrite
• Seattle's Housing Choices
• Incentive Zoning

Affordable Housing

Publications and information available:

Commission Releases Recommendations On Incentive Zoning
On February 27th 2007 the Commission released its report which gives recommendations on how Seattle should use incentive zoning programs to meet predicted housing and job growth targets while contributing to livability and sustainability.

Seattle Housing Levy Renewal
The Commission offers its recommendations to City Council for their proposal to renew the housing levy

Affordable Housing Action Agenda
The Commission released an Affordable Housing Action Agenda that includes background information on affordable housing in the region and nine key strategies for increasing the amount of affordable housing in Seattle.

Download the report here.

Proposed Changes to Multifamily Tax Exemption Program
Earlier this year, the Seattle Office of Housing requested that the Commission review the Executive’s proposed changes to the Multifamily Tax Exemption. The Commission recently completed their review, and provided their comments to the City Council’s Housing, Human Services and Health Committee. View their letter to Council here.

The Commission also released an addendum to the Action Agenda summarizing stakeholders' comments on the report.
Download the addendum here.

Multifamily Housing Code Rewrite

The Planning Commission has assisted City staff with a rewrite of the Multifamily Housing Code. Commission members facilitated focus groups and public meetings during the development of the concepts for the rewrite, which is part of a broader effort initiated by the Mayor to make the Land Use Code simpler and more accessible. The Commission will review and comment on the new code when it is completed.

Publications and information available:

DPD Multifamily Housing Code Rewrite

Seattle's Housing Choices

The Planning Commission has long advocated for increasing affordable housing and providing more housing choices, and supports the current proposal to allow property owners in throughout Seattle to build backyard cottages. The Commission worked closely with DPD to develop a Technical Guide for those who wish to build a backyard cottage.

The Guide was created to offer advice and practical information on building backyard cottages that compliments existing neighborhood character. Click here to view or download the guide.

Publications and information available:

DPD Backyard Cottages Homepage

DPD Alternative Housing Choices Homepage

Commission supports proposed legislation allowing detached accessory dwelling units in southeast Seattle (PDF)

Full Report (PDF)

Executive Summary of Full Report (PDF)

Video of Planning Commission's 8/4 briefing to City Council

Commission supports proposed legislation allowing detached accessory dwelling units in southeast Seattle - (PDF)

Incentive Zoning

On February 27th, 2007 the Commission released its report on Incentive Zoning. The report gives recommendations on how Seattle should use incentive zoning programs to meet predicted housing and job growth targets while contributing to livability and sustainability.

Publications and information available:

Incentive Zoning Report (PDF)