City Council Considers Changes to Self-Storage Zoning in Arlington, WA

The Arlington, Wash., City Council is considering an amendment to its land-use code that would accommodate self-storage facilities in high-density residential areas for the purpose of placing storage services near businesses and urban neighborhoods. Self-storage is currently allowed in general and light-industrial zones, but city code doesn’t account for multi-story modern facilities, according to the source.

Changes in urban living have created a need for self-storage closer to residential developments and commercial businesses, according to Chris Young, the city’s director of community and economic development. “[An amended land-use code] would eliminate the need to travel to storage facilities, thus reducing traffic and the carbon footprint,” Young said in council documents.

A self-storage amendment would most likely apply to mixed-use developments of at least 15 acres, Young said. Comparable developments are underway at 67th Avenue N.E. and 172nd Street N.E.

The council was scheduled to discuss the self-storage issue along with other land-use amendments on July 18. The Arlington Planning Commission discussed the storage amendment during a July 7 public hearing.

Arlington’s discussion about changes to self-storage zoning may have been spurred by the Puget Sound Regional Council, which recently noted the city’s Comprehensive Plan didn’t address modern self-storage business models, according to the source.

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