01
The Two Distances That Matter
| Distance (walking route) | Effect |
|---|---|
| ¼ mile (about 1,320 ft) | Higher unit minimum — Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities only |
| ½ mile (about 2,640 ft) | No off-street parking requirement — all tiers |
Distance is measured along the actual walking route, not as a circle on a map. Cul-de-sacs, freeways and missing sidewalks can push a nearby lot outside the radius; a new path can bring one inside.
02
Stations and Stops in Our Area
Link 1 Line (opened to Lynnwood in 2024)
Shoreline South/148th, Shoreline North/185th, Mountlake Terrace, Lynnwood City Center.
Sounder N Line
Edmonds, Mukilteo, Everett Station.
Swift BRT (Community Transit)
- Blue Line — Highway 99 from Everett Station to Shoreline
- Green Line — Seaway Transit Center to Canyon Park, Bothell
- Orange Line — Edmonds College through Lynnwood City Center to McCollum Park
RapidRide E (King County Metro)
Aurora Avenue N through Shoreline.
Under construction
bus rapid transit on SR 522 and I-405, which already counts for the quarter-mile minimums where it applies.
03
City by City
| City | Tier | Near-transit minimum | Parking waiver near transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everett | T1 | 6 homes | Yes |
| Lynnwood, Edmonds, Shoreline, Bothell | T2 | 4 homes | Yes |
| Mountlake Terrace, Mill Creek, Mukilteo, Kenmore | T3 | No state increase | Yes |
City codes may allow more than the state minimum, particularly in station subareas that were rezoned for higher density.
04
Designing for Car-Light Residents
- Secure bike storage for every home
- A clear walking route from front doors to the street
- Delivery and visitor space even when parking is not required
- Larger storage closets in place of garages
05
Does Skipping Parking Hurt Value?
Near stations, buyers and renters increasingly accept one space or none, and every space removed frees land for living area. Where the market still expects parking, we plan one space per home even when the code requires none.
06
Check Your Distance
The lot tool asks for walking distance and applies the correct rule for your city → What Can I Build?