Aligning Building Codes With Zoning Codes for the Housing We Want To See

Session 4D | Thursday | 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM (PT)

The passage of state laws HB 1110 and SB 5491 will introduce changes to the zoning and building codes in Washington Cities. However, I argue that municipal building codes and zoning codes are not aligned well enough to take full advantage of the more housing spirit such laws were passed for. The session will look at three escalating levels of housing types and discuss changes cities could make to make these housing types easier to build. I start with a building code change that could make middle housing cheaper to build; then move to zoning changes that would allow taller single-stair buildings; and lastly, touch on zoning changes that would make large midrise mass timber construction competitive.

Markus Johnson

Markus is an urban planner and designer at MAKERS Architecture and Urban Design. He lives in Seattle and is interested in the planning and design of green affordable housing, public transit and nonmotorized transportation, climate infrastructure that leads to decarbonization and electrification, and racial justice and equity.

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