Council to allow backyard cottages citywide

The Seattle City Council has voted to allow backyard cottages on all eligible lots in the city. The unanimous decision opens up the option for homeowners who live on lots larger than 4,000 square feet to add a detached dwelling. After more than a year of meetings, tours, testing and briefings, the council agreed to expand the development standards from the test market of southeast Seattle to the rest of the city. There are several requirements for eligibility: The property owner must live in either the principle structure or the backyard cottage for at least six months out of the year, the cottage must comply with the five foot setback rule, cannot be more than 800 square feet, and the main house and detached home cannot take up more than 35 percent of the land. The entire bill can be read here.