Kenmore Sound

Development · Upcoming · Sep 28, 2026

Kenmore to consider code changes for binding site plans, condos, and permit deadlines

Kenmore's City Council is scheduled to vote on Ordinance 26-0652 on September 28, which would align city rules on binding site plans, condominium ownership, and permit timelines with state law 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 1. The ordinance would amend Chapters 17.30 and 19.25 of the Kenmore Municipal Code, which cover binding site plans, common interest communities, and permit time limitations, and would establish an effective date 1. According to the city's agenda bill, the changes are needed to comply with 2025 amendments to state law (RCW 58.17, RCW 64.90, and RCW 36.70B) 1. The ordinance would take effect five days after publication in the city's newspaper of record 1. The council held a public hearing on the proposal on September 14, 2026; no one signed up to testify 1.

  • The council is scheduled to consider adopting Ordinance No. 26-0652 at its September 28, 2026 regular meeting at 7:00 PM 1.
  • The ordinance would amend KMC 17.30.020 to treat property zoned to permit multifamily residential uses as 'commercially zoned property' eligible for the binding site plan process 1.
  • It would amend KMC 17.30.030 to prohibit the city from barring condominium ownership or imposing requirements on condominiums that would not apply to a physically identical development under another ownership form 1.
  • It would reduce permit decision deadlines in KMC 19.25.100 to 65 days for permits without public notice, 100 days for permits requiring notice, and 170 days for permits requiring notice and a hearing 1.
  • The city's agenda bill states the changes are needed to comply with 2025 amendments to RCW 58.17, RCW 64.90, and RCW 36.70B, and identifies no new city expenditures 1.
  • The council held a public hearing on the proposal on September 14, 2026, with no members of the public signing up to testify 1.

Why it matters

The ordinance would clarify that property zoned to allow multifamily housing can use the binding site plan process for dividing land, bar the city from imposing requirements on condominiums that would not apply to a physically identical rental development, and shorten permit decision deadlines to 65, 100, or 170 days depending on permit type 1. Analysis: These changes could affect how future housing and commercial projects are subdivided and approved in Kenmore, and how long applicants and neighbors wait for permit decisions.

What changed / what's next

  • Kenmore is scheduled to consider Ordinance No. 26-0652, which would amend Chapters 17.30 and 19.25 of the Kenmore Municipal Code to align binding site plan rules, condominium-ownership protections, and permit time limits with state law 1.
  • The outcome of the September 28 vote is not yet known; this is a pre-meeting agenda signal 1.
  • If adopted, the ordinance takes effect five days after publication in the city's newspaper of record 1.