Renton Community Update

News from former Councilmember Randy Corman, your Renton City Hall insider. (All views expressed in journal entries are Randy Corman's personal views, and not the official position of the City of Renton or other city employees. Views expressed in reader comments are those of the commenter)

Renton now offers free pre-approved backyard cottage designs, with free building permits and low hookup fees

Mar18
2021

Written by Randy Corman

To increase our affordable housing options, we have recently completed and approved a ground-breaking new ordinance to encourage backyard cottages. These cottages, technically known as Accessory Dwelling Units, can be enjoyed by your family or rented out to an individual or family in need of housing. Our new ordinance gives you a choice of beautiful, pre-approved designs and waives the building permit fees. We’ve also dropped several other impact fees and slashed hook-up charges. The City will soon put links on its website that show you how you can begin planning a backyard cottage. Until the links are up, you can get started by phoning Community and Economic Development at 425-430-7200 and letting them know you would like to get started on an ADU. As you’ll see in the presentation below, the city can get you approved in just a couple weeks.

The complete presentation, with the designs, facts and fees, is attached below. Compliments to Katie Buchl-Morales, Renton’s Associate Planner, who did outstanding work on this ordinance and in her presentation attached below.

ADUPresentation

Posted in Uncategorized

2 Comments

Dena

May 22, 2021 at 10:26 pm | Permalink

Thank you City of Renton! So grateful for this openness to ADUs.
Yvonne Garcia

May 5, 2022 at 11:41 pm | Permalink

any real story final timelines? is there setbacks restrictions?

Hi, I’m Randy Corman. Welcome to my blog! I served on Renton City Council for 28 years, 1994-2021, with six years as Renton Council President. I’m also a mechanical engineer and manager, and worked for the Boeing Company for 33 years, from 1984- 2017. My wife and I have five kids and five grandkids, and we all live in Renton. I’ve kept this blog for 17 years, and get thousands of readers each month. Please share your feedback, ideas, and opinions in the comments.

Your comments are very appreciated and they add value to this blog. Please keep your comments civil and respectful; policy discussions are encouraged but avoid personal attacks. No threats of violence against anyone, or inciting violence in any form. No racist, sexist, or hateful comments of any kind. Be truthful. Do not make allegations of criminal, unethical, or other personal wrongdoing that you do not have proof to back up. Avoid profane, obscene, vulgar, lewd, discriminatory, or sexually-oriented language. Honest, respectful, good-faith discussion of public officials’ actions and their results are protected speech. Private persons deserve more discretion, so avoid any unfair criticism of them.