ADU Owner Occupancy: Lakewood vs Tacoma
How do adu owner occupancy rules compare between Lakewood, WA and Tacoma, WA?
Lakewood, WA
Pierce County
No data available yet for Lakewood.
Tacoma, WA
Pierce County
Tacoma does not require owner-occupancy for ADUs. Washington HB 1337 (codified at RCW 36.70A.696) prohibits all Washington cities from imposing owner-occupancy on ADUs permitted on or after July 23, 2023. TMC 13.06.150 has been updated to remove any owner-occupancy condition. No deed restriction is required.
View full Tacoma rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Lakewood | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Owner-Occupancy | - | Not required |
| State Law | - | RCW 36.70A.696 |
| Code Section | - | TMC 13.06.150 |
| Deed Restriction | - | None required |
| Rental License | - | Required (TMC 6A.30) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Lakewood FAQ
No FAQs available.
Tacoma FAQ
Do I have to live on the property to build an ADU in Tacoma?
No. Washington HB 1337 (RCW 36.70A.696) prohibits Tacoma from requiring owner-occupancy for any ADU permitted on or after July 23, 2023, and TMC 13.06.150 has been updated to remove any such condition.
Can I rent both my house and the ADU to different tenants?
Yes. There is no city or state rule against renting both units. You must obtain a Tacoma rental business license under TMC 6A.30 for each rental and comply with the Rental Housing Code under TMC 1.95 including just-cause termination rules.
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