Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
The definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 36.70A.697, 36.70A.698, 36.70A.680, and 36.70A.681 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) “Accessory dwelling unit” means a dwelling unit located on the same lot as a single-family housing unit, duplex, triplex, townhome, or other housing unit.
(2) “Attached accessory dwelling unit” means an accessory dwelling unit located within or attached to a single-family housing unit, duplex, triplex, townhome, or other housing unit.
(3) “City” means any city, code city, and town located in a county planning under RCW 36.70A.040.
(4) “County” means any county planning under RCW 36.70A.040.
(5) “Detached accessory dwelling unit” means an accessory dwelling unit that consists partly or entirely of a building that is separate and detached from a single-family housing unit, duplex, triplex, townhome, or other housing unit and is on the same property.
(6) “Dwelling unit” means a residential living unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons and that includes permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.
(7) “Gross floor area” means the interior habitable area of a dwelling unit including basements and attics but not including a garage or accessory structure.
(8) “Major transit stop” means:
(a) A stop on a high capacity transportation system funded or expanded under the provisions of chapter 81.104 RCW;
(b) Commuter rail stops;
(c) Stops on rail or fixed guideway systems, including transitways;
(d) Stops on bus rapid transit routes or routes that run on high occupancy vehicle lanes; or
(e) Stops for a bus or other transit mode providing actual fixed route service at intervals of at least fifteen minutes for at least five hours during the peak hours of operation on weekdays.
(9) “Owner” means any person who has at least 50 percent ownership in a property on which an accessory dwelling unit is located.
(10) “Principal unit” means the single-family housing unit, duplex, triplex, townhome, or other housing unit located on the same lot as an accessory dwelling unit.
(11) “Short-term rental” means a lodging use, that is not a hotel or motel or bed and breakfast, in which a dwelling unit, or portion thereof, is offered or provided to a guest by a short-term rental operator for a fee for fewer than 30 consecutive nights.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Washington Revised Code Title 36. Counties § 36.70A.696. Accessory dwelling units--Definitions - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/wa/title-36-counties/wa-rev-code-36-70a-696/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)