Kenmore Sound

Development · Occurred · Outcome pending · May 11, 2026

Draft STEP housing regulations discussion was scheduled for May 11

Kenmore's draft rules for emergency shelters and supportive housing were up for continued discussion at the May 11 City Council special meeting, according to the agenda 1.

What the records say

The agenda for the Kenmore City Council special meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 7:30 PM included a business item for continued discussion of draft STEP housing regulations, presented by Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Debbie Bent 1. STEP stands for Emergency Shelters, Transitional Housing, Emergency Housing, and Permanent Supporting Housing 1. The packet's attachment shows the revised draft regulations would allow these uses in most residential and commercial zones, with a recommended Good Neighbor Agreement for transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and emergency housing developments, and certification requirements for indoor emergency shelters and emergency housing 1.

  • The May 11, 2026, special meeting agenda included a business item to discuss draft STEP housing regulations, presented by Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Debbie Bent.
  • STEP encompasses emergency shelters, transitional housing, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing.
  • The revised draft regulations list permanent supportive housing and transitional housing as permitted uses in most residential zones, and emergency housing and emergency shelters as permitted in most commercial and regional business zones, with a recommended Good Neighbor Agreement for transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and emergency housing developments.
  • The item was marked 'for continued discussion'; the agenda bill's history notes the Council reviewed draft STEP regulations on March 16, 2026, and directed staff to revise them consistent with state law.

Why it matters

These draft rules would determine where emergency shelters, transitional housing, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing may operate in Kenmore, and under what conditions. The zone tables in the revised draft show most of these uses listed as permitted across the city's residential and commercial zones, which shapes both the availability of housing for people in need and how such facilities fit into neighborhoods 1.

What changed / what's next

  • The May 11 meeting agenda added a continued-discussion item on draft STEP housing regulations, with a revised draft of the regulations attached to the packet 1.
  • The outcome of the May 11 discussion is not recorded in the pre-meeting materials; the records do not establish whether the Council took any action 1.
  • The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.