Washingtoner - City Council Approves Home in Tacoma Zoning and Standards Package

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 20, 2024

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Maria Lee, Media & Communications, maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054

City Council Approves Home in Tacoma Zoning and Standards Package

TACOMA, Wash. – The City Council has unanimously approved the Home In Tacoma zoning and standards package, a landmark decision that paves the way for more diverse, affordable, and sustainable housing options throughout the city. This comprehensive update to Tacoma's residential zoning regulations marks the culmination of several years of community engagement and collaboration.

The centerpiece of the package is the introduction of three new Urban Residential (UR) zones designed to accommodate a wider range of housing types, including multi-family dwellings, townhomes, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). These zones will increase density in appropriate areas, allowing Tacoma to better meet the housing needs of its growing population while promoting walkability and vibrant neighborhoods.

The approved package incorporates valuable feedback received from the community. Key highlights include:

Increased Density: Strategic zoning changes in targeted areas will allow for more housing units, increasing availability and affordability.
Streamlined Development: Modified on-site requirements for walkways, setbacks, and shared utilities will make it easier and more efficient to build new housing.
A Balanced Approach to Tree Planting and Preservation: To foster a greener environment while accommodating growth, new residential developments will be required to incorporate tree planting, complementing citywide tree preservation efforts.
Reduced Parking Requirements: New "Reduced Parking" areas are being established to encourage walking, biking, and transit use in key corridors. A parking study will also be conducted in the future to further assess needs and make any necessary adjustments.

To ensure a smooth transition, the City of Tacoma's Planning and Development Services Department will roll out a pre-development pilot program from December 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025. This program will help applicants navigate the new regulations and provide permit fee credits for those who move forward with their projects promptly.

The new zoning regulations will officially take effect on February 1, 2025. More information –including interactive maps, detailed documentation, and new resources as they become available – can be found at cityoftacoma.org/homeintacoma.

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Community members with questions can contact Alyssa Torrez at atorrez@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 878-3767.

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City Council Statements on Home in Tacoma

Mayor Victoria Woodards

"The historic passage of the Home in Tacoma initiative is a transformative step for our city. Affordable and accessible housing options are crucial for the well-being of our community, as it fosters economic stability, supports diverse neighborhoods, and enhances Tacoma's overall quality of life. This initiative creates a stronger, more resilient Tacoma for everyone. Our updated zoning regulations pave the way for more inclusive and diverse housing options, ensuring that Tacoma remains a vibrant, affordable, and welcoming place for all residents to live."

Deputy Mayor John Hines

"Home in Tacoma has the potential to be truly transformational for our community. It addresses one of the most pressing concerns we hear from residents: the cost and availability of housing that meets their needs. By expanding housing options, we can ensure that Tacoma remains a place where people can find a home that fits their budget – whether they're growing their families, starting new chapters, or aging in place – keeping Tacoma a community where everyone can thrive."

District 2 Council Member Sarah Rumbaugh

"The future of Tacoma is smart, compassionate growth so all residents have healthy neighborhoods to live in. I am most proud of the work to balance growth and development with critical community assets like trees. Home in Tacoma will radically enhance how our city reaches its 30 percent tree canopy goals by requiring tree planting as part of all new development and creating mechanisms to fund urban forestry across the city. As an environmental champion, I brought forward amendments to protect large trees and create the framework for development of tiny forests to help combat climate change. Home in Tacoma would not have been possible without the hard work of our staff, and their continued dedication to thorough and expansive community outreach. I am deeply grateful to every community member who engaged with this process and helped shape our vision for Tacoma's future."

District 3 Council Member Jamika Scott

"I voted in support of Home in Tacoma, but I want to be clear that I have concerns about how these changes are going to impact our city. I am especially worried about whether Home in Tacoma will create more affordable housing or if it will simply encourage developers to create more luxury units that so many of our residents cannot afford. We need to make sure that the families who have lived here for generations are able to stay here if they want to do so. We need to make sure that the kids who grew up here can afford to make their home here. I am also concerned about how greater density is going to impact our tree canopy. We cannot have both a robust tree canopy and greater housing density, and I have concerns that Home in Tacoma prioritizes density above trees. I plan to watch the implementation of Home in Tacoma closely to make sure that these changes are, in fact, moving our city in the right direction and that we are making updates to this policy when needed."

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District 4 Council Member Sandesh Sadalge

"Our city's lack of housing is pervasive. All the challenges facing our community are made more difficult to solve because there just isn't enough affordable housing to create security and safety for our families. Home in Tacoma is a vital step to create more places for people to live. I sponsored an amendment to go further and incentivize making more places for people to own homes. Owning a home provides more stable housing costs than the volatility of renting, and also builds generational wealth for entire families. I want Home in Tacoma to expand access to all housing opportunities so all our residents can find a home that's right for them. We need more housing, we needed them a generation ago, we need them at every level, and it is an honor to be here in this moment to support this tremendous step forward for our city."

District 5 Council Member Joe Bushnell

"I want to ensure that our children and grandchildren can afford to call Tacoma home. This landmark legislation represents a transformative step toward keeping our city affordable and advancing our anti-displacement efforts. The voices of thousands of community members have been instrumental in shaping this vision for Tacoma's housing future, and I deeply value their input. I am proud of the thoughtful balance we've achieved—one that expands housing options while enhancing our city's quality of life and environmental sustainability."

At-large Position 6 Council Member Kiara Daniels

"This is a monumental piece of legislation for our city, and it is going to shape the way our city looks and feels for generations. I joined the City Council to help ensure that people in our city can get housing, and I am confident that Home in Tacoma is going to move us closer to this goal. This is a very exciting moment in our city's history and a testament to the dedication we have in Tacoma to enhancing the lives of our residents."

At-Large Position 7 Council Member Olgy Diaz

"Neighborhoods are better when community is built into it, and Home in Tacoma was intentionally designed to enhance the characteristics of Tacoma that bring neighbors together. I am excited by how we structure growth to improve ways to walk and bike, while also creating more places to go and connect with our neighbors. I sponsored the review of home businesses that is built into Home in Tacoma and will allow for more neighborhood-specific spaces. This will allow people to work, shop, and connect with one another closer to their own homes. We will have whole, vibrant, engaged neighborhoods that make Tacoma the best place possible to live."

At-Large Position 8 Council Member Kristina Walker

"I am thrilled that the City Council has adopted a comprehensive vision for the future landscape of our city. The density that is now allowed by passing Home in Tacoma is going to help us increase housing capacity, especially along our transit corridors, making it easier for more people to access jobs and education. Home in Tacoma makes housing options accessible, affordable, and available to many more people. I couldn't be prouder of this housing package."

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