Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in Olympia, WA (2026)
2 verified zoning overlays & bonuses rules for Olympia, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Density Bonus Law
In the City of Olympia, Washington, OMC 18.04.080(A)(4) lets the Director or Hearing Examiner raise Table 4.04 residential densities: up to 20 percent for critical area restoration, 50 percent for cottage housing, 15 percent for townhouses in R 4-8 and R 6-12, and up to 20 percent for low income housing.
Olympia WA Residential Density Bonuses
Some RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code § 18.04.080(A)(4)
4. Density Bonuses. The maximum housing densities identified in Table 4.04 may be increased and authorized by the Director or by the Hearing Examiner as noted below, provided, however, that in the R 4-8 District, Transfer of Developments Rights (TDRs) must be obtained (see OMC 18.04.080(A)(5)): a. Restoration of Critical Areas. At the request of the applicant, the Approval Authority may grant a...
Downtown Design Guide
In the City of Olympia, Washington, the Downtown design guidelines in Chapter 18.120 apply to every property inside the Downtown map area, and development there goes through design review under Chapter 18.100. Applicants in overlapping sub-districts pick which one governs, and historic-district rules override the guidelines in a conflict.
Olympia WA Downtown Design Guidelines (OMC 18.120)
Significant RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code § 18.120.120
The guidelines within these chapters apply to all properties within the area shown in Figure 18.120.130.A.1. The applicability and review procedures for these guidelines are as described in OMC Chapter 18.100, except as follows: 1. Design guidelines do not apply to public projects within the public right-of-way. 2. Where two or more Sub-Districts are indicated in Figure 18.120.130.A.1, the appl...
Looking for Thurston County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Olympia city rules.
Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in Thurston County →