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Thank you for participating in the ADU update!
Kent City Council passed the ADU ordinance on May 16, 2023! The ordinance will be effective on June 15, 2023. Kent City staff are working on updating websites, application forms, and legal documents to prepare for the go-live date! See the final ordinance here: Click here for final ordinance.
What is an ADU?
Sometimes referred to as mother-in-law unit or backyard cottage, ADUs are small, independent residential units on the same lot as a stand-alone single-family home. ADUs provide the same essential functions as a typical single-family residence, complete with a kitchen, sleeping area, and bathroom, but are smaller or "accessory" to the primary residence. ADUs have many benefits; for example, homeowners can rent them to provide supplemental income or to offset their mortgage costs. ADUs can expand housing options for aging parents and multigenerational housing. They can also be sold as a condominium and provide a more affordable opportunity for homeownership.
ADUs were identified in KHOP as one way to create affordable housing options and diversify existing housing stock. Kent received a grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce to implement the ADU strategy and to update the Kent City code by June 2023.
Thank you for participating in the ADU update!
Kent City Council passed the ADU ordinance on May 16, 2023! The ordinance will be effective on June 15, 2023. Kent City staff are working on updating websites, application forms, and legal documents to prepare for the go-live date! See the final ordinance here: Click here for final ordinance.
What is an ADU?
Sometimes referred to as mother-in-law unit or backyard cottage, ADUs are small, independent residential units on the same lot as a stand-alone single-family home. ADUs provide the same essential functions as a typical single-family residence, complete with a kitchen, sleeping area, and bathroom, but are smaller or "accessory" to the primary residence. ADUs have many benefits; for example, homeowners can rent them to provide supplemental income or to offset their mortgage costs. ADUs can expand housing options for aging parents and multigenerational housing. They can also be sold as a condominium and provide a more affordable opportunity for homeownership.
ADUs were identified in KHOP as one way to create affordable housing options and diversify existing housing stock. Kent received a grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce to implement the ADU strategy and to update the Kent City code by June 2023.
Agradecemos mucho el tiempo que se ha tomado para completar esta breve encuesta.
Kent ha permitido a los propietarios construir unidades de vivienda complementarias (UVC o ADU por sus siglas en inglés) desde el año 1995. Una unidad de vivienda complementaria (UVC) es una estructura secundaria más pequeña y dentro del mismo lote de una casa unifamiliar. Contiene las instalaciones necesarias para vivir de forma independiente incluidas una cocina, un área para dormir y un baño. Una UVC se puede adjuntar a una casa unifamiliar, encima de un garaje o completamente separada de la casa principal.
La ciudad está actualizando los requisitos para las UVC según los comentarios que recibimos durante el Plan de Opciones de Vivienda de Kent (POVK o KHOP, siglas en inglés). Escuchamos en KHOP que la mayoría de los encuestados estarían dispuestos a tener más UVC en su vecindario y les gustaría ver que las UVC se utilicen como una estrategia para abordar la escasez de vivienda. Cuando entrevistamos a los residentes que han construido UVC en Kent, en el otoño de 2022, nos enteramos de que restricciones en cuanto a altura, tamaño y limitaciones de estacionamiento en Kent, pueden llegar a hacer imposible la construcción de una UVC en la mayoría de las propiedades.
Queremos hacerlo bien, así que será de gran ayuda, conocer sus respuestas a las siguientes preguntas. Contamos con usted para saber más acerca de cómo las UVC pueden ser más útiles para Kent.
Para obtener más información, visite nuestro sitio web www.kentwa.gov/ADU
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Thank you for completing this short survey! Kent has allowed homeowners to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) since 1995. An ADU is a smaller, secondary unit on the same lot as a single-family home. An ADU contains the facilities needed for living independently, including a kitchen, sleeping area, and bathroom. An ADU can be attached to a single-family home, above a garage, or fully detached from the primary home.
The City is updating the requirements for ADUs based on feedback we received during the Kent Housing Options Plan (KHOP). We heard in KHOP that most respondents would be willing to have more ADUs in their neighborhood and would like to see ADUs used as a strategy to address housing shortages. When we interviewed residents who have built ADUs in Kent in fall of 2022, we learned that Kent’s strict limits on height, size, and parking limits that can make it impossible to fit an ADU on most properties.
We want to get it right, so please take this survey to tell us more about how ADUs can best serve Kent. To learn more, visit our website here.
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Kent Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Update has finished this stage
Adopted June 2021
Kent Receives Grant and Hires Consultants
Kent Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Update has finished this stage
In Spring 2022, the City of Kent received a Department of Commerce Grant to implement ADU work started in KHOP. We have contracted with BERK Consulting, Inc. and CAST architecture to help with this project.
Research
Kent Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Update has finished this stage
During Summer and Fall 2022, the staff and the consultant team researched best practices for ADU codes. We also interviewed people who either successffully or tried unsuccessfully to built an ADU in Kent to learn about their experiences and ideas. We have identified barriers to ADU construction and potential solutions. Now we went to hear from you!
Council Workshop
Kent Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Update has finished this stage
February 7, 2023. Click here to view the presentation and Council discussion.
Community Outreach and Feedback
Kent Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Update has finished this stage
The survey will open for public participation on Feb 24, 2023 through Early April 2023.
Draft Code Amendment Package
Kent Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Update has finished this stage
Expected March 2023
Land Use and Planning Board
Kent Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Update has finished this stage
On April 10, 2023, staff will provide a briefing on the proposed ADU code amendments.
Public Hearing- Land Use and Planning Board
Kent Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Update has finished this stage
On April 24, 2023, Kent Land Use and Planning Board (LUPB) will hold a public hearing. The agenda will be available the Friday before the meeting and will be posted here.
Economic and Community Development Committee (ECDC)
Kent Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Update has finished this stage
On May 8, 2023, after LUPB reviews the ordinance, they recommend action by City Council. This happens at ECDC, where the committee will vote on the ADU code changes.
Final Adoption- Council Meeting
Kent Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Update has finished this stage
Kent City Council passed the ordinance on May 16, 2023.
Updating Kent City Code
Kent Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Update is currently at this stage
The ordinance was passed on May 16, 2023. It will be effective on June 15, 2023, so Kent staff is working on updating application materials for the effective date!
