### Meeting Overview The Bellingham Planning Commission held a public hearing on October 16, 2025, to review proposed co-living code updates required by Washington state law. The main focus was implementing state-mandated changes to define and allow co-living housing in zones where six or more multifamily units are permitted. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Co-living housing:** A residential development with at least 24 sleeping units where residents share kitchen facilities, replacing what was previously called "rooming and boarding houses." **Sleeping unit:** A lockable, independently rented room up to 300 square feet that may contain a kitchenette but not a full kitchen. **Household:** A new definition replacing "family" that allows any number of unrelated individuals to live together in a dwelling unit. **Kitchenette:** Basic food preparation space with a sink and 120-volt electrical outlet, versus a full kitchen with stove and oven capabilities. **Design review:** Administrative approval process required for larger residential developments, triggered at 12 or more co-living sleeping units. **Rule of three:** The previous city code restriction limiting dwelling units to no more than three unrelated persons, which has been unenforced since 2021. **Multifamily zones:** Areas zoned for apartment buildings and condos, along with commercial zones and urban villages, where co-living will now be permitted. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Mike Estes | Planning Commission Chair | | Sydney Prusak | City Planner II, staff presenter | | Sara Ullman | City Planner II, staff presenter | | Blake Lyon | Planning & Community Development Director | | Kurt Nabbefeld | Development Services Manager | | Bryan Gass | Public commenter on land capacity issues | | Jed Ballew | Commissioner who proposed design review amendment | ### Background Context This update stems from two key state laws: Senate Bill 5235 (2021) prohibiting cities from limiting unrelated people living together, and House Bill 1998 (2024) requiring cities to allow co-living housing where six or more multifamily units are permitted. The city must comply by the end of 2025. These changes reflect growing recognition that traditional "single-family" zoning restrictions contributed to housing scarcity and that diverse living arrangements should be legally supported. ### What Happened — The Short Version Staff presented proposed code changes to define and allow large-scale co-living developments (24+ units) in multifamily, commercial, and urban village zones while replacing the "family" definition with "household" to remove restrictions on unrelated people living together. After minimal public comment, commissioners discussed technical details around design review thresholds and parking requirements. The commission unanimously approved the changes with one amendment simplifying the design review language, recommending city council adoption. ### What to Watch Next • City Council will hear this recommendation in late November 2025 • A second phase will examine co-living in lower-density residential zones in 2026-2027 • Parking reform discussions continue with potential extensions to interim parking regulations ---