Kenmore Sound

Development · Upcoming · Sep 28, 2026

Kenmore council to consider state-mandated code changes on binding site plans, condos, and permit deadlines

Ordinance 26-0652, on the Sept. 28 consent agenda, would align Kenmore's development code with 2025 changes to state law covering land division, condominium ownership, and permit review timelines. 1

What the records say

The Kenmore City Council is scheduled to consider adopting Ordinance No. 26-0652 at its regular meeting on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 7:00 PM, as a consent agenda item. 1 The ordinance would amend Chapters 17.30 and 19.25 of the Kenmore Municipal Code to comply with 2025 amendments to state law (RCW 58.17, RCW 64.90, and RCW 36.70B), according to the city's agenda bill. 1 The changes cover three areas: clarifying that property zoned to permit multifamily residential use qualifies for the binding site plan process; prohibiting the city from imposing requirements on condominium ownership that would not apply to a physically identical development under another ownership structure; and shortening permit decision timelines to 65 days for permits without public notice, 100 days for permits with public notice, and 170 days for permits with notice and a hearing. 1 The council held a public hearing on the proposal on September 14, 2026; no one signed up to testify, per the meeting minutes. 1

  • Ordinance 26-0652 is scheduled for adoption on the consent agenda at the council's September 28, 2026, 7:00 PM regular meeting. 1
  • The ordinance would amend KMC 17.30.020 so property zoned to permit or conditionally permit multifamily residential use counts as 'commercially zoned property' for binding site plans. 1
  • It would amend KMC 17.30.030 so the city cannot prohibit condominium ownership or impose requirements on condos that would not apply to a physically identical development under a different ownership form. 1
  • It would revise KMC 19.25.100 permit decision timelines to 65 days (no public notice), 100 days (public notice only), and 170 days (notice plus hearing), measured from completeness determination. 1
  • The council held a public hearing on the proposal September 14, 2026, with no one signing up to testify; the amendments respond to May 7, 2025 changes to state law. 1

Why it matters

The permit timeline changes would shorten how long applicants and neighbors wait for final city decisions on project permits — for example, cutting the target for permits without public notice from 100 to 65 days. 1 The binding site plan and condominium changes would let multifamily-zoned property use the binding site plan process and bar the city from treating condominium developments differently from physically identical rental or other ownership structures. 1 The agenda bill states the changes create no new city expenditures and are tied to the council's housing-availability priority. 1

What changed / what's next

  • The September 28, 2026 council agenda now includes Ordinance 26-0652 for consent agenda adoption, following a September 14 public hearing at which no testimony was given. 1
  • Whether the council adopts Ordinance 26-0652 on September 28, 2026; the ordinance as drafted would take effect five days after publication. 1