Burien, WA: Ready for Growth, Built for Opportunity

Burien, WA, is stepping confidently into 2025 and the future with strategic moves that signal it's a top destination for business investment. In October 2024, the Burien City Council unanimously approved the Burien 2044 Comprehensive Plan, a roadmap for 20 years of sustainable growth.

The plan focuses on attracting and diversifying Burien's growth, with a strong emphasis on developing vibrant, dense, pedestrian-oriented hubs and corridors while maintaining the city's existing charm and livability. The strategic expansions of the Downtown Urban Center and Commercial Mixed-Use zones are intended to capitalize on transit investment and promote these new hubs and corridors throughout the city, connecting neighborhoods to stores, restaurants, and housing. 

Key Features of Burien 2044 Related to Development

The progress made by the City is a strong indicator that Burien is pro-growth and open for business. Burien 2044 is the roadmap for implementing dynamic, sustainable growth with innovative updates to zoning and planning. The plan emphasizes flourishing, pedestrian-oriented communities while supporting modern development.

Highlights include:

• Mixed-Use Neighborhoods: Designed to encourage walkability and reduce reliance on cars, these areas foster stronger community connections and promote healthier, more active lifestyles.
• Increased Building Heights: Along 1st Avenue, building heights for apartment complexes have increased from 35 feet to 125 feet. Projects can go even higher, up to 165 feet, if additional units are designated as income-restricted affordable housing
• Flexible Density: Developers have greater freedom to determine density based on project needs, as the new zoning framework removes maximum density caps—making Burien a pro-growth, business-friendly city.
• Simplified Regulations: Updates to Ordinance No. 849 streamline zoning rules for mixed-use and multifamily areas, allowing for faster and more efficient development processes.

A Pro-Growth Approach

Burien's updated Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program strengthens its position as a top-tier destination for developers. The MFTE program provides a property tax exemption in exchange for multifamily and affordable housing in designated neighborhoods. According to the King County Housing Authority, a family's income must be 80% of the area median income to qualify for income-restricted housing. For King County, the range for a family size of one to ten is $77,700 - $164,250, respectively.

With expanded eligibility and new options like a 20-year homeownership incentive, this program boosts housing supply and aligns perfectly with the city's goals of creating abundant, accessible, and affordable housing.

The MTFE program provides potential developers and Burien residents with unique opportunities, including:

• Concentrating growth along transit corridors, reducing urban sprawl, and promoting more sustainable community development.  
• Encouraging the creation of affordable housing while providing valuable long-term tax incentives.  
• Fostering various housing options suitable for renters and homeowners enhances community diversity and accessibility.

Why Choose Burien?

Burien is more than ready for growth—it's built for it. With pro-growth policies, a strategic location 20 minutes south of Seattle, Two RapidRide lines that link Burien to Seattle and Bellevue, and an unwavering commitment to vibrant, people-oriented development, Burien offers unparalleled opportunities for developers and investors seeking to be a part of the future of a dynamic, and growing community.

If you want to be part of the next great growth story, Burien is ready for you. Contact the Burien Economic Development team to learn more about how you can join Burien, WA's pro-growth story.