About Montlake Rezoning

• This is the biggest change to Montlake in its 100+ year history.
• New Washington State law HB1110 requires new zoning for 3- and 4-story multi-unit housing on almost every residential lot in Seattle. 
• The Mayor’s One Seattle Plan proposes zoning for 4- and 5-story apartments on 24 blocks in Montlake as a newly proposed Neighborhood Center.
• The One Seattle Plan is under review by City Council and open to changes and improvements with community input.

Major concerns with plan and process

• Lack of direct notice to residents from the City of Seattle and so far no opportunity for true community involvement to create a plan that works for all.
• A proposal vastly out of scale with the neighborhood and our small business district particularly relative to other proposed Neighborhood Centers.
• A plan that appears oblivious to the Montlake neighborhood’s inclusion on the Department of the Interiors National Registry of Historic Places.
• Zoning that will likely result in incongruous and haphazard implementation entirely inconsistent with the thoughtful, human-scaled urban redevelopment Seattle was once known for.
• A reduction in tree canopy, landscape and natural habitat combined with an increase in hardscape, impervious surfaces, and summer temperatures.

Map of Proposed Zoning for Montlake

Map Key

Proposed Neighborhood Center Boundary

NR: Neighborhood Residential
3-story or 4-story multi-unit housing, applies outside the proposed Neighborhood Center (LR2, LR3, NC2-55)  More information on Zone NR is found on the Background and Process page.

LR2: Lowrise Residential 2
40-foot height limit, 4-story apartments or townhouses

LR3: Lowrise Residential 3
50-foot height limit, 5-story apartments or townhouses

All residential zones
Increased lot coverage, increased density, reduced setbacks, reduced off-street parking

NC2-55 – Neighborhood Commercial
55-foot height limit, mixed-use commercial and residential

Proposed Project Timeline for 2025

The One Seattle Plan, including the designation of Neighborhood Centers, is scheduled to be adopted by the end of May 2025. There are still opportunities and time for public feedback. Dates are subject to change.

• January 30 Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was released
• Feb 5, 5:00pm City Council meeting with Public Hearing on the One Seattle Plan
• March 19, 2:00pm Missing-Middle Zoning Requirements 
• March 28, 9:30am Proposed Interim HB 1110 Legislation 
• April 16, 2:00pm Discussion of Interim Legislation 
• April 30, 2:00pm Discussion of Key Issues 
• May 7, 2:00pm Discussion of possible amendments to the Interim Legislation 
• May 19 9:30am and 4:00pm  City Council Public Hearing (two sessions) 
• May 21, 2:00pm Committee vote on Interim Legislation 
• May 27 (time TBD) Council vote on Interim Legislation
• June 30 State Law HB1110 deadline for “Middle Housing” (Phase 1) Zoning
• June-Sept City Council work through Phase 2 Zoning legislation

For more details, see 2025 Comprehensive Plan (“One Seattle Plan”) Renewal Process.

Send your feedback

The City Council is currently accepting feedback. Here are three ways you can provide your feedback:

• Send your feedback directly to City leaders:
  • Our District 3 Council Representative: Joy Hollingsworth (most important)
  • All nine City Council members: council@seattle.gov
  • Mayor Harrell: bruce.harrell@seattle.gov
• Speak at one of the three City Council public hearings, currently scheduled for February 5, 2025, April 30, 2025, and May 19, 2025.
• Send a copy of your feedback to the Montlake Community Club: zoning@montlake.net. The MCC Board represents the entire Montlake community, so they would like to know what’s on your mind.

Learn more

• FAQs
• Background and Process
• Additional Resources

The contents of this webpage were assembled by a small group of Montlake Community Club members to help educate the neighborhood about upcoming zoning changes proposed by Mayor Harrell. Any opinions expressed are not necessarily representative of the greater Montlake community.