At the July 8, 2025, meeting, the City Council approved several updates to Bothell’s City Code with a shared goal of encouraging the development of new housing, supporting local businesses, and fostering vitality for the Bothell community.
The Council approved the elimination of required parking minimums for new developments, moving away from existing code which mandated a specific ratio of parking stalls per property. The Council also adopted new Neighborhood Scale Commercial standards, which allow for the permitting of small businesses such as markets, coffee shops, and other “corner store” operations across the city.
Parking Requirements for New Developments
New development projects within Bothell, including apartments and mixed-use buildings, will no longer be required to have a specific number of parking spaces per square foot or number of residential units. This change follows many years of discussion at the Planning Commission and City Council level, with recent state law changes (SB 5184) propelling the discussion forward.
The elimination of parking minimums is intended to help spark the development of new housing units – existing parking minimums are reported impediments to making many housing projects pencil out in Bothell. Allowing commercial and mixed-use developments the flexibility to determine how many parking stalls to build for each individual project, instead of requiring a one-size-fits-all approach, creates flexibility and increases opportunities for unique or challenging projects to be realized. This change does not remove any existing parking from streets, lots, or buildings, and does not restrict the building of additional parking.
Permitting for Corner Businesses
Smaller-scale neighborhood businesses can now be permitted within Bothell through new Neighborhood Scale Commercial standards, which expand opportunities for corner markets, coffee shops, and other forms of neighborhood-centric retail and hospitality operations.
This addition to the City’s zoning code originates from the City Council’s adoption of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan update and the City’s Economic Vitality Plan, both of which stipulated the need for additional small business development avenues. Allowing corner businesses across Bothell will help support local operators and allow for businesses to open in locations that provide closer connections to residents.
Both the decision to eliminate parking minimums and to create new permits for neighborhood businesses were made in alignment with the City Council’s 2040 Vision and Strategic Priorities, which includes strategies for a more connected community, defined neighborhoods, and walkable access to amenities. Community feedback gathered throughout the development of this guiding document outline the desire for more opportunity, vitality, and options for dining, retail, and entertainment within Bothell.
You can learn more about Council’s 2040 Vision on the City Council webpage: https://www.bothellwa.gov/2161/2040-Vision-and-Strategic-Priorities