CHAPTER 20.64
SUPPLEMENTAL STANDARDS FOR CO-LIVING HOUSING Revised 4/26
Sections:
20.64.010 Purpose. Revised 4/26
20.64.020 Applicability. Revised 4/26
20.64.030 General standards. Revised 4/26
20.64.040 Performance standards. Revised 4/26
20.64.050 Parking. Revised 4/26
20.64.060 Processing and administration. Revised 4/26
20.64.070 Definitions. Revised 4/26
20.64.080 Conflicting code. Revised 4/26
20.64.010 Purpose. Revised 4/26
The purpose in providing for co-living is to authorize the development of rental homes affordable to people with moderate to low incomes that do not require any public funding, and to be consistent with RCW 36.70A.535. (Ord 26-652 §2 (Ex A))
20.64.020 Applicability. Revised 4/26
Per RCW 36.70A.535, co-living housing is a permitted use on any lot located within Quincy’s City limits that allows at least six multifamily residential units, including on a lot zoned for mixed-use development. (Ord 26-652 §2 (Ex A))
20.64.030 General standards. Revised 4/26
Room dimensional standards shall minimally meet the Washington State Building Code, including dwelling unit size, sleeping unit size, room area, and habitable space:
A. Co-living units may be provided in a mix of sizes and number of rooms;
B. Co-living developments are not required to include other types of land uses;
C. For purposes of calculating dwelling unit density, a sleeping unit in co-living housing is no more than one-quarter of a dwelling unit. (Ord 26-652 §2 (Ex A))
20.64.040 Performance standards. Revised 4/26
The following are performance standards for co-living uses:
A. Sleeping units shall be subject to the following standards:
1. No sleeping unit shall be more than three hundred square feet.
2. Sleeping units may include kitchenettes, but shall not include kitchens.
3. All sleeping units must have access by interior or covered exterior walkway to a shared kitchen.
B. Shared kitchens shall be subject to the following standards:
1. At least one shared kitchen shall be provided for every fifteen sleeping units.
2. At least one shared kitchen shall be provided on each floor that also contains sleeping units. (Ord 26-652 §2 (Ex A))
20.64.050 Parking. Revised 4/26
A. Off-street parking shall be provided at a minimum rate of 0.25 off-street parking spaces per sleeping unit;
B. No off-street parking is required for co-living units within one-half mile walking distance of a major transit stop as defined in RCW 36.70A.030. (Ord 26-652 §2 (Ex A))
20.64.060 Processing and administration. Revised 4/26
A. The review, notice, or public meeting requirements for co-living housing shall be the same as those required for other types of residential uses in the same location, unless otherwise required by state law.
B. Co-living housing development may be included in an affordable housing incentive program, such as RCW 36.70A.540.
C. For purposes of calculating sewer connection fees, a sleeping unit in co-living housing shall count as one-half of a dwelling unit, unless a finding, based on facts and approved by the Administrator, is made that the connection fees should exceed the one-half threshold. (Ord 26-652 §2 (Ex A))
20.64.070 Definitions. Revised 4/26
A. "Co-living housing" means a residential development with sleeping units that are independently rented and lockable and provide living and sleeping space, and residents share kitchen facilities, and may share bathroom facilities, with other sleeping units in the building.
B. "Major transit stop" means:
1. A stop on a high capacity transportation system funded or expanded under the provisions of Chapter 81.104 RCW;
2. Commuter rail stops;
3. Stops on rail or fixed guideway systems, including transitways;
4. Stops on bus rapid transit routes or routes that run on high occupancy vehicle lanes; or
5. Stops for a bus or other transit mode providing actual fixed route service at intervals of at least fifteen minutes for at least five hours during the peak hours of operation on weekdays.
C. "Sleeping unit" means an independently rented or owned and lockable unit that provides living and sleeping space.
D. "Kitchenette" means a room or part of a room which is used, intended, or designed to be used for basic food preparation, with a sink and at least one 120v electrical outlet.
E. "Kitchen" means a room or part of a room which is used, intended, or designed to be used for preparing food. The kitchen includes facilities, or utility hookups for facilities, sufficient to prepare, cook, and store food, and wash dishes, including, at a minimum, countertops, a kitchen-style sink, space and utilities sufficient for a gas or 220/240v electric stove and oven, and a refrigerator.
F. "Shared kitchen" means a kitchen that is used, intended, or designed to be used by residents of multiple dwelling or sleeping units for preparing food simultaneously. (Ord 26-652 §2 (Ex A))
20.64.080 Conflicting code. Revised 4/26
If any section of this chapter conflicts with another section of code, these regulations will take precedence over any conflicting standards elsewhere in code. (Ord 26-652 §2 (Ex A))