Overview
On December 1, 2015 the City Council adopted Amended Ordinance Number 28336, approving proposed amendments to the Tacoma Municipal Code concerning affordable and infill housing. This action adopts a range of affordable and infill housing code changes based on concepts initially recommended by the Affordable Housing Policy Advisory Group. Key changes include:
- Lot size flexibilities and Small Lot design standards
- Creation of a Residential Infill Pilot Program for certain housing types
- Creation of Affordable Housing Incentives and Bonuses, and Requirements for Residential Upzones
Amended Ordinance Number 28336 can be found here.
Posted below are materials reviewed by the Planning Commission (PC). They are also posted on the 2015 Annual Amendment web page, under "2015-08 Affordable Housing Planning Work Program."
What is being proposed?
Changes proposed include the following:
- Detached Accessory Dwelling Units in single-family zones
- Small lots updates
- Duplex, townhouse and/or great houses in single-family areas
- Cottage housing
- Permit process and timeline enhancements (such as permit ready house designs)
Affordable housing incentives and/or inclusionary approaches:
- Create and Affordable Housing Incentives code section
- Integrate affordable housing into existing bonus programs
- Update Planned Residential Districts code to provide an affordable housing bonus
- Require the inclusion of some affordable units for approval of residential upzones
Background
This application is the third and final step in a multi-year, multi-departmental effort, spearheaded by the Council-appointed Affordable Housing Policy Advisory Group (AHPAG). In 2010, the AHPAG released its
Policy Recommendations to the City Council, which recommends a range of actions to meet affordable housing goals in Tacoma. In 2012 the Council divided the recommendations into three groups:
- Referred to the Neighborhood & Housing Committee (NHC) for additional policy development and discussion
- Forwarded to the City Manager for evaluation and implementation
- Referred to the Planning Commission for the development of affordable housing regulations
In regards to the Planning Commission tasks, on May 15, 2012 the City Council adopted Resolution Number 38489, which referred specific recommendations to the Commission for the development of policies and regulations. The resolution also divided the Commission’s review items into four tasks:
- Comprehensive Plan Policy
- Incentive, Bonus and Inclusionary Programs
- Rezones
- Affordable Housing Infill Development recommendations
Progress to Date
- Affordable Housing "Principles and Acknowledgements" added to the Comprehensive Plan Housing Element
- Subarea plans/EIS efforts, SEPA and Short Plat thresholds increased to streamline and prepare for development
2014 - Planning Phase 2
- Small multifamily units (mini-flats): Parking requirements reduced
- Access Dwelling Units (ADUs): Additional flexibility and reduced requirements (not including detached ADUs in single-family areas)
- Small lots: Additional flexibility to promote infill
- Multifamily development: Parking requirements clarified and reduced
Timeline
This project will follow the
Annual Amendments timeline.
References
Resources
Many communities have implemented or explored similar policy approaches. There is a well-developed body of best practices and analysis. For more information, visit the
Puget Sound Regional Council’s Housing Innovations Program web.
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