Council unanimously adopts ordinance to implement state-mandated detached accessory dwelling units

The Washington Terrace City Council voted unanimously Sept. 15 to adopt Ordinance 2604, moving the city’s code into compliance with a state requirement to allow detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs).

Tyler Seaman, introduced to the council as the city’s economic development and building-inspection staff, told the council that “the state law has mandated detached accessory dwelling units,” and that the city must adopt the required code by Oct. 1, 2026. He said current city code already allowed internal accessory dwelling units but the new ordinance allows detached units subject to life-safety, building-code and impact-fee considerations.

Council members pressed staff on specific size and safety rules. Seaman said minimum lot allowances discussed under the state code include an 11,000-square-foot example and that typical DADU floor areas are constrained by the international residential building code; he noted a 650-square-foot example as a practical lower size that still needs to meet egress, window and fire-code requirements. "It would be hard to get 600 square feet and have all the things that you need in them," he said.

Councilmember Michael moved to approve Ordinance 2604 "amending Washington Terrace City Code to repeal and reenact Section 17.48.030 to comply with an unfunded state mandate relating to certain accessory dwelling units," and a second was recorded. The chair called a roll-call vote; the motion carried unanimously.

Staff said the ordinance is a code-adoption step only and that fee setting, impact-fee analysis and other implementation work will be completed administratively. Seaman told the council staff would return with recommended fee structures and specific permit requirements before the city begins accepting DADU applications.