House Bill 1110 - Middle Housing

Middle housing is similar in size, shape, and style to single-family homes but contains two or more attached, stacked, or clustered homes.

Examples include multiplexes (e.g., duplex, triplex, fourplex, and sixplex), townhouses, stacked flats, courtyard apartments, and cottage houses. The new rules will require cities to allow at least six middle housing types on all lots zoned mainly for residential use.

To comply with the HB 1110 state mandates, the City of Renton must make the following updates to its zoning and development regulations:

• Allow middle housing units within all residential zones: A maximum of four housing units per lot allowed unless higher densities are permitted.
• Lots with affordable housing: A maximum of six housing units per lot allowed if at least two of the units are affordable housing unless higher densities permitted.
• Lots near a major transit stop: A maximum of six housing units per lot allowed when within a ¼ mile walking distance of a “major transit stop” unless higher densities allowed.

Supported by MAKERS Architecture and Urban Design, city staff will prepare a middle housing ordinance. The process involves public and stakeholder engagement to help draft the ordinance and communicate the requirements of HB 1110.

City staff will present proposed code amendments to the Planning Commission for consideration. Renton residents and community stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the public process.