Tacoma: Ord. 28986 and Affordable Housing Zoning

Tacoma, a city often overlooked in the shadow of its larger neighbor, Seattle, is undergoing a significant urban transformation. Ordinance No. 28986, a comprehensive zoning overhaul, is at the heart of this revitalization. This ambitious initiative, part of the Home in Tacoma (HIT) Phase 2 project, aims to address pressing challenges such as housing affordability, urban sprawl, and climate change.

The ordinance marks a radical departure from traditional zoning practices, which often prioritize single-family homes and low-density development. By introducing new urban residential (UR) zones and relaxing restrictive development standards, the city is embracing a more flexible, mixed-use approach. These UR zones, categorized by density and development standards, are designed to accommodate a diverse range of housing types, from single-family homes to multi-unit dwellings.