2,259 of the 11,897 lots in Graham (19%) are zoned for houses inside an urban growth area. On those lots, Washington's HB 1337 requires the city or county to allow at least two accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Another 9,422 lots are outside the urban growth area, where Pierce County's own ADU rules decide.
243 of those lots look to be on a septic system: an ADU needs the health department to approve the system's capacity.
Another 686 lots zoned for houses in the urban growth area have mapped wetland, landslide, erosion or flood areas, or a stream buffer: the state rule does not apply to lots with designated critical areas (RCW 36.70A.681(4)), so local rules decide.
216 lots are zoned for uses other than houses, where the ADU rule does not apply.
The law does not lift setbacks or lot-coverage limits, and planned developments and HOAs can add their own rules: on a small lot a separate ADU may not fit, though converting space inside the house may. Each lot's report checks its own room.
Questions
Does Washington's two-ADU law apply in Graham?
On 2,259 of Graham's 11,897 lots, yes: they are zoned for houses inside an urban growth area, where HB 1337 requires at least two ADUs to be allowed. On 9,422 lots outside the urban growth area, Pierce County's own rules apply.
What can stop an ADU on a lot in Graham?
Room on the lot: setbacks and lot coverage still apply, so a small or built-over lot may only fit an ADU inside the house. Then a septic system without spare capacity (243 lots here look to be on septic), mapped critical areas, where the state rule does not apply and local rules decide (686 lots), and the rules of a planned development or HOA. Each lot's report checks its own room.
How do I check a specific lot?
Search its address on Colvos Parcel. The report shows the lot's zoning, whether it is inside the urban growth area, sewer or septic, and mapped hazards, each with its source.
From the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer, the county's zoning, sewer, hazard and growth-area maps, and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Records as of November 7, 2026.