Neighborhood Residential Code
See also: Land Use Code, Zoning, Environmental Codes, Accessory Dwelling Units
What is it?
Much of Seattle is zoned as Neighborhood Residential. This zone is characterized by moderate density housing that includes:
- Attached units (e.g. townhouses)
- Detached units (e.g. one unit dwelling)
- Stacked units (e.g. apartments)
- Accessory dwelling units
Other residential uses permitted in this zone are:
- Adult family homes
- Congregate residences
- Low-income housing
- Permanent supportive housing
The City also allows limited commercial uses in this zone.
In 2025, the City Council passed Ordinance 127376 that brought our code into compliance with state laws related to middle housing. The state laws are intended to incorporate more density across the state while still being compatible with single family development. Ordinance 127376 also updated the City’s zoning use and development standards to align with the One Seattle Plan, Seattle’s comprehensive plan.
Development and use standards in the Neighborhood Residential zone regulate the:
- Types of uses allowed
- Number of dwelling units
- Size, height, and location of structures
- Landscaping and amenity areas
- Parking location
You can learn more about the code in our Neighborhood Residential summary flyer.
Read the Code
- Ordinance 127375 and 127376 codified
- Seattle Municipal Code, (SMC) Chapter 23.44 (Neighborhood Residential)
- SMC Section 23.42.022 (Accessory Dwelling Units)
- SMC Chapter 23.54 (Parking)
- SMC Chapter 25.11 (Trees)
Proposed Changes
For proposed changes to land use regulations, see our Changes to Code page and the Office of Planning and Community Development's Ongoing Initiatives list.