Puyallup City Council Unanimously Approves Halfway House Ordinance

After almost a year of study and debate, the Puyallup City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday night that would prohibit more than two offenders from living together in any residential zone within city limits.

The ordinance also requires the property owner to have an approved city permit, if they want to rent to sex offenders. The residence would be labeled a "significant impact business," comparable to the zoning for a hazardous waste site. Also, the plan would be subject to a public hearing, with additional fees, like insurance.

State Rep. Bruce Dammeier from Puyallup, one of the driving legislators of  Senate Bill 5105 regarding halfway houses and the state voucher program, was at tonight's meeting prior to the vote, according to The Tacoma News Tribune. 

That bill, signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee, states that no more than two offenders will be able to live in the same residence and utilize the state's housing voucher program. All housing situations that would accept the state-issued vouchers would be subject to an approval program and public hearing process.

The local debate began in August 2012, when a homeowner started to express plans for a halfway house for sex offenders and veterans with criminal convictions on Shaw Road. (Read more on Patch.)

What do you think of Puyallup's new housing ordinance? Tell us in the comments.