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Client Assistance Memo uh rtmen of Planning and _ Development6 ® ® m m ao • e •-e• - • o -e - - e o- • •' Establishing an Accessory a The accessory unit must be in the principal structure, not in an accessory structure such as a garage. Dwelling Unit (ADU) • A single family dwelling may have no more than one ADU. Updated October 24, 2005 ■ The home must provide two off-street parking spaces. (See exception on next page.) ■ An accessory unit is limited to an area of 1,000 This Client Assistance Memo(CAM)explains the appli- square feet; it may exceed this maximum size, cable regulations and process for establishing acces- however, if the structure was in existence prior to sory dwelling units(also called ADUs or mother-in-law June 1, 1999, and if the entire accessory unit is units)in owner-occupied single family homes in Seattle. located on the same level. Legislation allowing accessory dwelling units became ■ Only one entrance may be located on each front effective Dec. 1, 1994. or street side of the residence unless more than one entrance on a front or street side existed as of What is an ADU? Jan. 1, 1993, or DPD determines that topography, screening or other design solution de-emphasizes An ADU is a room or set of rooms in a single family the presence of a second entrance. home that has been designed or configured to be ■ Minimum ceiling height for a unit in a portion of used as a separate dwelling unit. It generally in- a structure constructed before Oct. 17, 1979, is cludes living, sleeping, kitchen and bathroom facilities 6 feet 8 inches,or 6 feet 4 inches if a hard-wired and has a lockable entrance door. For more infor- smoke detector is provided. For structures or por- mation, see CAM 606, "Illegal Dwelling Units"; DPD tions of structures constructed after Oct. 17, 1979, Director's Rule 7-83, "Determining the Existence of a minimum ceiling height is 7 feet. See Director's Dwelling Unit for Purposes of Code Enforcement"; and Rule 3-2005 for more information. Director's Rule 10-95, "Attached vs. Detached as Ap- ■ In sleeping rooms located in buildings constructed plied to Accessory Structures and Uses.' after Aug. 10, 1972, or in rooms converted or established for sleeping purposes after August 10, What requirements must be met to 1972, there shall be at least one operable window establish an accessory dwelling unit? or exterior door approved for emergency escape or rescue. The window or door must be operable An ADU may only be established if it meets all of the from the inside. All emergency escape windows following requirements: shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 ■ The home must be occupied by one or more square feet(grade floor openings allowed to be 5 owner(s)of the property as a permanent and princi- square feet), a minimum net clear openable height pal residence. The owner may live in either the main dimension of 24 inches, and a minimum net clear or accessory unit and must have a 50 percent or openable width dimension of 20 inches. The win- greater interest in the property. The owner-occupant dow must have a finished sill height not more than must live in the structure for more than six months of 44 inches above the floor. The sill height may be each calendar year. The owner may not receive rent measured from the top of a constructed step with a for the owner-occupied unit at any time. riser of not more than 7 inches. ■ If any of the persons occupying the two units are ■ The ADU must meet current standards of the Se- unrelated, the maximum total number of residents attle Residential, Building, Mechanical, Electrical in both units may not exceed eight. and Energy Codes. Pnnted on totally chlorine-free paper made with 700%post-consumer Aber