Olympia Zoning & Land Use Guide
Key Zoning Facts
Olympia Zoning Overview
Olympia is the capital of Washington with approximately 55,605 residents, located in Thurston County. The city manages land use and development through its zoning code, administered by Community Planning & Development. Olympia's zoning divides the municipality into districts regulating permitted uses, building heights, lot sizes, setbacks, and density.
Olympia follows the Washington State Building Code (WAC 51-50/51), which is based on the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC).
Primary Zoning Districts
Olympia uses density-range residential zoning. The R4-8 district allows 4 to 8 dwelling units per acre with 5,000 square foot minimum lots and a 35-foot height limit. The R6-12 district allows 6 to 12 units per acre with 3,600 square foot lots. The RM-18 and RM-24 districts support higher-density multifamily development at 18 and 24 units per acre respectively.
Commercial activity is served by the NC (Neighborhood Commercial) and GC (General Commercial) districts. The LI (Light Industrial) district provides for warehousing and light manufacturing uses.
ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Rules
Olympia allows ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units). Under Washington state law HB 1337 (2023), cities are required to allow ADUs, with up to 2 ADUs permitted per lot in most areas. This is a state mandate that applies to all Washington cities. Contact Community Planning & Development for current requirements including size limits, setbacks, and permitting procedures.
Development Process
Development in Olympia generally requires obtaining the appropriate permits. The process typically involves:
- Zoning Verification — Confirm that your proposed use is permitted in the applicable zoning district
- Site Plan Review — For commercial and multi-family projects, submit a site plan for review
- Building Permit — Apply for a building permit with construction documents
- Inspections — Schedule required inspections during construction
- Certificate of Occupancy — Obtain final approval before occupying the structure
For projects that do not conform to existing zoning, property owners may need to seek a variance, special exception, or rezoning.
Key Considerations
Before starting any development project in Olympia, property owners should:
- Verify the zoning classification of their property
- Review setback, height, and lot coverage requirements for their specific district
- Check for any overlay districts or special regulations
- Determine if the property is in a flood zone using FEMA's flood map service
- Confirm whether HOA covenants or deed restrictions apply
- Contact Community Planning & Development at (360) 753-8314 for pre-application guidance
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about zoning in Olympia and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Zoning codes are subject to change. Always verify current regulations with the City of Olympia or the municipal code before making development decisions.
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Olympia
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA Flood Zones: Applicable
- View FEMA Flood Map
State — Washington
- Building Code: WA State Building Code (WAC 51-50/51)
- State ADU Override: Yes (WA HB 1337 (2023) requires cities to allow ADUs; 2 ADUs per lot in most areas)
County — Thurston County
- Role: County-level property records, tax assessment, unincorporated area planning
City / Municipal
The city's zoning ordinance, building codes, and local permits form the primary layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
No overlay districts identified.
Private Restrictions
- HOA / CC&Rs common: Yes
- Check HOA CC&Rs and deed restrictions for additional requirements.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Min Lot
- 5,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 20 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 20 ft
- Min Lot
- 3,600 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 15 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 20 ft
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- 45 ft
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- 55 ft
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- Varies
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- Varies
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- Varies
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
ADU Rules in Olympia
Permit Costs & Timelines
Permit Costs & Timelines
Specific permit fee schedules for Olympia are available from the local planning department. Fees vary based on project type, scope, and valuation.
Check Olympia permit fees →