ADU Property Rental Rules and advice?

[Aileen Yu]

Hello!

I am so confused! I originally thought I could rent out a property any way I want (minus retail in residential). I'm a little baffled at what I am slowing finding out. My original plan was to buy a duplex, but I live in a very competitive area so I'm now looking into SFH with MIL or ADU.

I looked at SFH with permitted ADU as it accomplishes my same goal of reducing my expenses and getting land lording experience with the plan that I could rent out the main house and the ADU after living in it for a while. Then I found out that in Everett, WA, I can't rent the main house + ADU if I'm not living on the property. This seems odd to me as how is this different than me just renting out by room? Is there a work around for this so I could rent both out at the same time after the primary residence period? Also why does this ADU rule exist and how is it different than a rent by room situation?