What's Happening in Bellevue, WA…

A vote from Bellevue City Council is delivering relief from the rampant increases in rentals plaguing some of the city’s neighborhoods.

The proliferation of structures being converted into boarding houses over the last few years has adversely affected at least one East Bellevue neighborhood in proximity to Bellevue College. In response to comments from residents of at least one neighborhood that the single family zoning law was being subverted there, the city council enacted a resolution.

With homes and even garages being converted into single room rentals, the complexion of that neighborhood has changed in such a way as to concern homeowners. The additional individuals occupying these one room rentals increase traffic and noise in their vicinity.

After a debate about the need for affordable housing versus the rights of permanent neighborhood residents, John Chelminiak, a Bellevue City Councilman, declared that the unlimited growth of rental rooms was not the solution. He said that taking a 1,500-1,600-square-foot house and converting it into seven or eight bedroom to rent is in effect creating a dormitory.

In future, boarding houses in single family zoned areas will be limited to no more than four rooms. As this will reduce the supply of rooms available, demand will increase and new products ordered from flyer printing services will likely feature higher room rental rates.