Puyallup City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 20
29 CO-LIVING HOUSING
§ 20.29.005 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to implement Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1998, codified in RCW 36.70A.535, by providing land use, development, design, and other standards for co-living housing to be developed on all lots zoned to allow at least six multifamily units.
(Ord. 3329, 10/21/2025)
§ 20.29.010 General provisions.
(1)
Nothing in this chapter prevents the city from setting development regulations related to density, parking, open space, design standards, or sewer connection fees for multifamily housing.
(2)
The city shall not require through development regulations any standards for co-living housing that are more restrictive than those that are required for other types of multifamily residential uses in the same zone.
(3)
The city shall only require a review, notice, or public meeting for co-living housing that is required for other types of residential uses in the same location, unless otherwise required by state law including, but not limited to, shoreline regulations under Chapter 90.58 RCW.
(4)
The city shall not exclude co-living housing from participating in affordable housing incentive programs under RCW 36.70A.540.
(5)
Conflicts. In the event of a conflict between this chapter and other development regulations applicable to co-living, the standards of this chapter control except that, this subsection shall not apply to shoreline regulations under Chapter 90.58 RCW.
(Ord. 3329, 10/21/2025)
§ 20.29.015 Permitted uses.
Co-living is a permitted use in all zones which allow at least six units of multifamily or middle housing development, including zones which allow six multifamily units as a component of mixed-use development.
(1)
Co-living is allowed as a primary use in the following zones: CBD, CBD-Core, CCX, CMX, LMX, MED, RM-10, RM-20, RM-Core, RMX, and UCX.
(2)
Co-living is allowed as an accessory use in the following zones: CB, CG, and CL.
(Ord. 3329, 10/21/2025)
§ 20.29.020 Sleeping units and shared kitchens.
(1)
Sleeping units shall be subject to the following standards:
(a)
All sleeping units shall be no more than 300 square feet.
(b)
Sleeping units may include kitchenettes but shall not include kitchens.
(c)
Sleeping units must include a private bathroom (to include a toilet, sink, and shower).
(d)
All sleeping units must have access by interior or covered exterior walkway to a shared kitchen.
(2)
Shared kitchens shall be subject to the following standards:
(a)
At least one shared kitchen shall be provided for every 12 sleeping units.
(b)
At least one shared kitchen shall be provided on each floor that also contains sleeping units.
(c)
The conversion of an existing residential building to co-living housing with 10 or fewer sleeping units is exempt from subsection (2)(b) of this section and shall provide a minimum of one shared kitchen, regardless of the number of building floors.
(Ord. 3329, 10/21/2025)
§ 20.29.025 Density.
For the purposes of calculating density, sleeping units count as one quarter of a dwelling unit. Minimum density requirements shall not apply to sleeping units.
(Ord. 3329, 10/21/2025)
§ 20.29.030 Open space standards.
Co-living sleeping units shall be exempt from private open space requirements in all zones. The following common open space standards shall apply at half the percentage of the zoning requirements:
(1)
Common open space in RM-10 shall be 10% of net lot area.
(2)
Common open space in RM-20 shall be 15% of net lot area.
(Ord. 3329, 10/21/2025)
§ 20.29.035 Parking.
Off-street parking for co-living housing shall be subject to the following:
(1)
No off-street parking shall be required within one-half mile walking distance of a major transit stop as defined in RCW 36.70A.535.
(2)
No more than one off-street parking space per four sleeping units shall be required.
(Ord. 3329, 10/21/2025)