The City Council has recently adopted a cottage housing ordinance, which will allow three demonstration housing projects to be built within the city. Two of the three projects have been chosen and are currently in the permitting process. The city is accepting proposals for the third and final demostration project. Once built, demonstration projects will allow city officials, neighborhood residents, and others to evalute the fit of cottage housing in this community. Additional cottage housing projects will be permitted if this type of housing is found to be a positive addition to the community.

Cottage housing is characterized by size-restricted houses, higher density, single-family construction, home orientation toward a centrally located open space, and high-quality architectural design.

Cottage housing developments provide housing for a growing demographic seeking single-family homeownership. See the links below for the adopting ordinance, code, and an informational handout. The city's intent is to restrict the development of cottage housing projects to those that are exemplary in design. To this end, the city wishes to encourage broad participation in a competitive demonstration project selection process.

Competitive Selection Process for Demonstration Projects
Demonstration project proposals will be evaluated in a competitive selection process. Applications will be accepted beginning August 24, 2009, through November 30, 2009. All applicants must attend a preapplication conference prior to submitting. Following the December 2nd deadline, all applicants will hold a community meeting to gather input regarding preliminary project design from neighboring property owners and residents. Subsequent to this meeting, applicants will have an opportunity to revise their application based on community input.

City staff will then evaluate all applications simultaneously. Applications will be evaluated based on the selection criteria of Ordinance 08-580, the design standards of Chapter 19.250 of the Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC), and input from neighbors at the community meeting. One project will be selected by staff. The applicant whose project is selected will then be authorized to submit a formal application (preliminary plat or other, depending on the type of project) for approval. See the documents below for a detailed description of the selection process.

Anyone interested in submitting a proposal for a demonstration cottage housing project should contact Associate Planner Matt Herrera at (253) 835-2638, or matt.herrera@cityoffederalway.com.

Adopting Ordinance, Code, and Informational Handout

  Cottage Housing Ordinance 08-580
  Cottage Housing Development Regulations, FWRC 19.250
  Cottage Housing Informational Handout with Submittal Checklist