Lot-Splitting Gaining Ground in Comprehensive Plans

As cities and King County neared final votes on compressive plans, Seattle King County REALTORS® (SKCR) encouraged increased zoned densities through meetings with elected officials, letters, and public testimony.  In many jurisdictions, the opposition to upzones was fierce. SKCR’s voice was an important reminder to elected officials that they are doing the right thing and are supported.

In collaboration with the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, SKCR urged that King County adopt a Comprehensive Plan policy that would enable lot-splitting—simply allowing one residential lot to be split into two.

We argued that allowing an existing residential lot to be split into two lots can offer many advantages to both the existing homeowner and to prospective homebuyers. Lot-splitting can provide current owners the opportunity to maintain homeownership in changing life circumstances, while also providing new homebuyers with a more affordable ownership opportunity. Additionally, lot-splitting will provide additional opportunities for sales to affordable housing providers or homeownership facilitators that may be exempt from state real estate excise tax under chapter 82.45 RCW.

Our lot-splitting proposal morphed into the creation of a “microsubdivision,” defined as a two-lot short plat, with a review process that is less complex than other short plats and typically would not require a public hearing. This will be allowed only on the urban side of the Urban Growth Boundary.