If you’ve noticed more talk lately about “Middle Housing,” “Neighborhood Centers,” or the “One Seattle Plan,” you aren’t alone. Our block is currently part of a city-wide conversation about how Seattle should grow over the next 20 years.
To help everyone stay on the same page, here is a quick breakdown of how we got here and what happens next.
1. Where it started: Washington House Bill 1110 (2023)
The catalyst for these changes didn’t start at City Hall, but in Olympia. In 2023, the WA State Legislature passed HB 1110, often called the “Middle Housing Bill.”
This law requires large cities like Seattle to allow more than just one house per lot. Specifically, for a city our size, it mandates that we allow:
- At least 4 units per lot in all residential areas.
- Up to 6 units per lot if the property is near major transit (like light rail or RapidRide) or if some units are designated as affordable housing.
2. Seattle’s Response: The “One Seattle Plan” (2024–2025)
Seattle was already due for a “Comprehensive Plan” update, a massive roadmap that the city creates every 10 years. Mayor Harrell’s administration combined the state’s requirements with a local vision called the One Seattle Plan.
Throughout 2025, the City Council worked through “Phase 1” of this plan. They officially retired the old “Single-Family Zoning” labels and replaced them with a new category: Neighborhood Residential (NR). As of January 21, 2026, this new code is officially in effect, legalizing duplexes, fourplexes, and “stacked flats” across most of the city.
3. Where we are today: “Centers and Corridors” (Early 2026)
We are now entering Phase 2. In late January 2026, the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) released the “Centers and Corridors” legislation.
This is the part that may affect our specific block most directly. It proposes:
- Neighborhood Centers: Creating 30 new small “hubs” around the city where even more density (like small apartment buildings) would be allowed.
- Transit Corridors: Increasing allowed height and density for lots within walking distance of frequent bus routes.
4. Decisions still to be made
While the “big picture” has been approved, the block-by-block details are currently being debated by the City Council. Here is what they are still deciding:
- The Final Map: Which specific parcels are included in the new “Neighborhood Centers”? (Some areas were recently “downzoned” or adjusted based on community feedback).
- Design Standards: How tall can these buildings be? How much “green space” or tree canopy must be preserved?
- Parking Requirements: Should new multi-unit buildings be required to provide off-street parking, or should that be waived to encourage transit use?
How to get involved
The City Council is expected to hold public hearings on this Phase 2 legislation throughout the spring of 2026. .
Have questions or information? Drop a comment below.