Advancing Co-Living Housing

Seattle King County REALTORS® (SKCR) has been closely monitoring and supporting city efforts to comply with new co-living housing mandates adopted by the legislature in 2024. The 2024 co-living housing amendments to state law—now codified as Section 535 of the state‘s Growth Management Act—require that cities change their development regulations to allow co-living housing units on any urban lot that allows at least six multi-family residential units, including on lots zoned for mixed-use development. One of the reasons the issue is important to REALTORS® is that the availability of co-living housing units can help to reduce demand for larger family-sized homes that can then be available to larger households.

Cities were required to amend their development codes by December 31, 2025, to comply with the state’s new co-living housing rules. Some cities in King County have not met the deadline, and SKCR remains committed to monitoring the progress of cities like Enumclaw, that continued their work in the first quarter of 2026.

In early December 2025, Enumclaw adopted an interim ordinance that provided the city with technical compliance while allowing the city to evaluate impacts on traffic, parking, utilities, emergency services, and neighborhood compatibility. The city will assess building, fire, and life-safety code requirements for co-living structures, complete required State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) environmental reviews of proposed permanent rules, and ensure public engagement and Planning Commission review consistent with the City's legislative procedures.

Co-living housing means a residential development with sleeping units that are independently occupied and lockable. The units provide personal living and sleeping space, but residents share kitchen facilities with other sleeping units in the building. The stated objectives of the new law include providing additional housing options for people who:

• wish to lower their housing expenses
• prefer a living arrangement that facilitates social connections,
• wish to live in a high opportunity neighborhood they could not otherwise afford, or
• want a low-cost, more private alternative to having a roommate in a traditional rental.

Additionally, co-living housing provides a good option for seniors, especially those who want to downsize, or those who desire a living arrangement that is more social than a standard apartment.