Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in Thurston County, WA (2026)
1 rule for unincorporated Thurston County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Thurston County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.
Density Bonus Law
Thurston County allows a cottage housing development to exceed its underlying zone's density by fifty percent under Code Section 20.38.030(B)(1), but only if every dwelling in the project is built to a recognized green building standard such as LEED, Passive House, or Four Star Built Green. Cottage developments cannot stack any other density bonus available in the underlying zone on top of this one.
Thurston County Cottage Housing Density Bonus
Some RestrictionsThurston County Code § 20.38.030(B)(1)
B.Density. The density of the underlying zone governs unless a density increase is granted as provided in this chapter. Other density bonuses found in the underlying zone shall not apply to cottage developments.1.Density Increases. Cottage housing developments may exceed the density of the underlining zone by fifty percent when the development is in compliance with all standards of this chapter...
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