Ready for tiny? 2,400 micro-apartments coming to Seattle

How many micro-apartments are in Seattle?



More than 700 micro units have opened in Seattle, or are part of a building that has a "certificate of occupancy," which means it passed inspections. Most occupied units opened in 2012 and 2013. (Pictured: Inside a Seattle micro unit).



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More than 700 micro units have opened in Seattle, or are part of a building that has a "certificate of occupancy," which means it passed inspections. Most occupied units ... more Photo: City Of Seattle Photo: City Of Seattle Image 1 of / 35 Caption Close Ready for tiny? 2,400 micro-apartments coming to Seattle 1 / 35 Back to Gallery

Micro-apartments in Seattle have mostly felt like a novelty, appealing to a niche of carless urbanites who can squeeze everything into the square footage of about three Smart cars.

But Lilliputian studios are becoming a major housing trend, with the number of micro-units expected to more than triple in the next few years.

About 700 micros have opened in Seattle, mostly in the last two years. Another 2,400 units are in the pipeline, in various stages of construction and permitting.

"In the past few years, the city experienced a wave of permit applications for micro-housing and congregate residences that were not fully anticipated by existing regulations," said Mayor Ed Murray in March, about proposed legislation to regulate the apartments.

Micros generally range from 100 to 185 square feet. They have a private bathroom, but often not a kitchen (or full kitchen). Most are concentrated in urban, transit-rich areas like Capitol Hill and the University District.

Their rapid growth has triggered debate on the pros of affordable housing and fewer cars versus the cons of funneling more people into already dense neighborhoods.

Murray's regulations address dimension, zoning and parking. A City Council hearing on the proposal is scheduled for Monday, May 19, at 5:30 p.m.

The full council is expected to vote as early as June 17. For more info, go here.

So what do micros look like, how much is the rent, and what would the proposed rules do? Click the slideshow above to learn more.

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