In the interest of increasing access to various housing types and making housing more affordable, the Puyallup City Council has modified regulations and reduced fees related to building ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units).
“The cost of housing has soared in recent years,” said Puyallup Mayor Julie Door. “An ADU can house extended family, or be rented for income that allows a homeowner to remain in their home.”
Accessory dwelling units in Puyallup can now have two bedrooms instead of just one. The permitting fee changes scale down impact fees and system development charges for ADUs in accordance with the smaller impacts such dwellings have on municipal services. These cost reductions encourage the construction of ADUs and improve their affordability.
Impact fees for park, school and traffic impacts were each cut by 80%, to the maximum incentive-based reduction allowed under state law. Fees for storm and water system development – commonly referred to as utility connection fees – were cut in half. The total fee reduction for each unit is estimated at $12,000, as shown in the following table:
In Puyallup, ADUs are limited in size and none can be larger than 40% the square footage of the primary dwelling unit. Maximum sizes range between 700 and 900 square feet.
“I’ve been focusing on housing affordability in Congress for several years now,” said Congressman Denny Heck, “and the City of Puyallup is taking exactly the kinds of steps local governments need to take to solve our national housing crisis. I commend them for their leadership.”
Contact: Public Affairs Officer Brenda Fritsvold at 253-770-3370.