Seattle Just Rezoned the Entire City — Here’s What You Can Build Now
Seattle eliminated single-family zoning in July 2025. Every lot now allows at least three homes, with some eligible for up to six. Whether you’re a buyer, builder, or investor, this guide breaks down exactly what’s allowed under the new One Seattle Plan—including unit counts, FAR limits, ADU rules, and zoning maps.
Neighborhood-Wide Rezoning: What’s Changed
Seattle has eliminated single-family zoning citywide. Every lot previously designated as "Single-Family" is now part of the Neighborhood Residential (NR) zoning system. The default capacity is now three to four homes per lot, with the potential for up to six units under certain conditions.
What you can now build by right:
A primary home with both an attached and detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU)
A duplex, triplex, or fourplex
Up to six units, if the lot is within a quarter mile of frequent transit or includes two income-restricted affordable units
Source: Neighborhood Residential Zones Overview
New “Building Type” Zoning Model
Seattle’s zoning now centers around permitted building types instead of traditional use-based zoning. The focus is on what a building looks like and how big it is—not how many unrelated people live there.
Allowed residential building types include:
Townhomes (side-by-side or stacked)
Small multiplexes (2–4 units)
Medium multiplexes (5–10 units, where allowed)
Cottage clusters and courtyard homes
Lowrise walkup flats
Explore the Interactive Zoning Map
Floor Area Ratio (FAR) Determines Build Size
Instead of using lot coverage, Seattle now uses Floor Area Ratio (FAR) to define the total livable square footage that can be built on a lot.
FAR limits by unit count:
| Number of Units | Max FAR | Example (5,000 sq ft lot) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 unit | 0.6 | 3,000 sq ft total build |
| 2 units | 0.8 | 4,000 sq ft |
| 3 units | 1.0 | 5,000 sq ft |
| 4–6 units | 1.2 | 6,000 sq ft |
This system gives more flexibility in design while keeping scale consistent with surrounding homes.
ADU Rules: Up to Two Units Per Lot
You can now build up to two ADUs per lot—and there’s no longer a requirement for the owner to live on site or provide off-street parking.
Permitted configurations:
One attached ADU (AADU) + one detached ADU (DADU)
Two attached ADUs
Each ADU is limited to 1,000 sq ft in most zones. Minimum lot sizes no longer apply.
More info from Daily PlanIt – ADU Update
How to Check Zoning for Any Property
The city’s tools make it easy to confirm what’s allowed:
Use the Interactive Zoning Map Viewer to search by address
Look for zone labels like NR1, NR2, or NR3 to determine allowed unit types and FAR
Check overlays for transit proximity or affordable housing bonuses
What This Means for Buyers and Investors
Most single-family lots can now support up to 4 units
Properties near transit or with income-restricted units can support 6 units
2 ADUs are now allowed by right, with no parking or occupancy rules
Build size is based on FAR, giving more design options
These changes apply citywide, not just in urban villages
Seattle has opened the door for small-scale multifamily development nearly everywhere. That means new opportunities for house hacking, creative co-living, and infill development—even on lots that were previously off-limits.
Useful Resources
🔗 Seattle Zoning Map Viewer
🔗 Neighborhood Residential Zone Guide
🔗 Daily PlanIt Blog – City Updates
🔗 The Urbanist – Rezoning Overview
🔗 Zoning Implementation YouTube Playlist
Final Note
These changes are already in effect under Seattle’s interim rules to comply with state law. Permanent zoning updates are expected later in 2025 as the One Seattle Plan completes final approval.
If you want help analyzing your lot or planning a build under the new rules, reach out anytime. The HouseHack Seattle team is tracking these changes closely so you don’t have to.
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