# RCW 36.70A.696: RCW 36.70A.696: Accessory dwelling units—Definitions > Washington · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T36_C70A_S696 ## Section - **Citation:** RCW 36.70A.696 - **Heading:** RCW 36.70A.696: Accessory dwelling units—Definitions - **Jurisdiction:** Washington - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Washington Code / Title 36 / Chapter 70A / Section 696 ## Text *** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 1345.SL ) *** The definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 36.70A.697 , 36.70A.698 , 36.70A.680 , and 36.70A.681 unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Accessory dwelling unit" means a dwelling unit located on the same lot as a single-family housing unit, duplex, triplex, townhome, or other housing unit. (2) "Attached accessory dwelling unit" means an accessory dwelling unit located within or attached to a single-family housing unit, duplex, triplex, townhome, or other housing unit. (3) "City" means any city, code city, and town located in a county planning under RCW 36.70A.040 . (4) "County" means any county planning under RCW 36.70A.040 . (5) "Detached accessory dwelling unit" means an accessory dwelling unit that consists partly or entirely of a building that is separate and detached from a single-family housing unit, duplex, triplex, townhome, or other housing unit and is on the same property. (6) "Dwelling unit" means a residential living unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons and that includes permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation. (7) "Gross floor area" means the interior habitable area of a dwelling unit including basements and attics but not including a garage or accessory structure. (8) "Major transit stop" means: (a) A stop on a high capacity transportation system funded or expanded under the provisions of chapter 81.104 RCW; (b) Commuter rail stops; (c) Stops on rail or fixed guideway systems, including transitways; (d) Stops on bus rapid transit routes or routes that run on high occupancy vehicle lanes; or (e) Stops for a bus or other transit mode providing actual fixed route service at intervals of at least fifteen minutes for at least five hours during the peak hours of operation on weekdays. (9) "Owner" means any person who has at least 50 percent ownership in a property on which an accessory dwelling unit is located. (10) "Principal unit" means the single-family housing unit, duplex, triplex, townhome, or other housing unit located on the same lot as an accessory dwelling unit. (11) "Short-term rental" means a lodging use, that is not a hotel or motel or bed and breakfast, in which a dwelling unit, or portion thereof, is offered or provided to a guest by a short-term rental operator for a fee for fewer than 30 consecutive nights. ## Nearby sections - [RCW 36.70A.010 RCW 36.70A.010: Legislative findings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T36_C70A_S010.md) - [RCW 36.70A.011 RCW 36.70A.011: Findings—Rural lands.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T36_C70A_S011.md) - [RCW 36.70A.020 RCW 36.70A.020: Planning goals.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T36_C70A_S020.md) - [RCW 36.70A.030 RCW 36.70A.030: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T36_C70A_S030.md) - [RCW 36.70A.035 RCW 36.70A.035: Public participation—Notice provisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T36_C70A_S035.md) - [RCW 36.70A.040 RCW 36.70A.040: Who must plan—Summary of requirements—Resolution for partial planning—Development regulations must implement comprehensive plans—Tribal participation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T36_C70A_S040.md) - [RCW 36.70A.045 RCW 36.70A.045: Phasing of comprehensive plan submittal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T36_C70A_S045.md) - [RCW 36.70A.050 RCW 36.70A.050: Guidelines to classify agriculture, forest, and mineral lands and critical areas.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T36_C70A_S050.md) - [RCW 36.70A.060 RCW 36.70A.060: Natural resource lands and critical areas—Development regulations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T36_C70A_S060.md) - [RCW 36.70A.067 RCW 36.70A.067: Effective date—Certain actions under RCW 36.70A.070, 36.70A.110, 36.70A.350, and 36.70A.360.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T36_C70A_S067.md) - [RCW 36.70A.070 RCW 36.70A.070: Comprehensive plans—Mandatory elements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T36_C70A_S070.md) - [RCW 36.70A.080 RCW 36.70A.080: Comprehensive plans—Optional elements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T36_C70A_S080.md) - [RCW 36.70A.085 RCW 36.70A.085: Comprehensive plans—Port elements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T36_C70A_S085.md) - [RCW 36.70A.090 RCW 36.70A.090: Comprehensive plans—Innovative techniques.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T36_C70A_S090.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T36_C70A_S696. 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