Tacoma: One Tacoma Plan
The draft "One Tacoma Plan" demonstrates notable strides in fostering sustainable growth, housing affordability, enhanced transportation, climate resilience, and equitable development. The plan's emphasis on expanding 15-minute neighborhoods, prioritizing mixed-use development, strengthening multimodal transportation, and investing in green infrastructure and carbon sequestration reflects a forward-thinking approach. Furthermore, the plan acknowledges the importance of ensuring that overburdened communities benefit from environmental justice initiatives. However, the plan's potential impact is diminished by a lack of robust enforcement mechanisms and concrete funding commitments, which are crucial for translating these aspirations into tangible outcomes.
Tukwila: Phased Binding Site Improvement Plans (BSIPs)
The City of Tukwila is proposing an amendment to its regulations regarding phased Binding Site Improvement Plans (BSIPs). Currently, the city mandates that developers utilizing phased BSIPs execute a development agreement in addition to the BSIP itself. This requirement, found in Tukwila Municipal Code (TMC) 17.16.030(C), has been identified by city staff as redundant, burdensome, and inconsistent with practices in comparable jurisdictions.
WA State: HB 1353 Self-Certification for DADUs (Proposed)
House Bill 1353 aims to streamline the permitting process for detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in cities planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA) by establishing a self-certification program. Currently, the GMA mandates that these cities allow ADUs, but the permitting process can be lengthy. This bill proposes allowing registered architects to certify that a detached ADU project complies with applicable building codes.
Fife: 2024-44 Comprehensive Plan Update
The City of Fife is undertaking a significant update to its Comprehensive Plan, known as the 2024-44 Comprehensive Plan, to replace the existing document and align with state, regional, and county mandates, notably the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) and Puget Sound Regional Council's (PSRC) Vision 2050. This comprehensive revision, spanning two and a half years, is driven by public input and evolving legislative requirements, particularly concerning affordable housing and climate change.
Tacoma: South Tacoma Neighborhood Planning Program
A range of compelling factors, highlighting both potential and need, led the City of Tacoma to choose South Tacoma as the third focus area for its Neighborhood Planning Program. This decision was driven by a confluence of factors, all pointing towards the neighborhood's significant potential and pressing needs. At the heart of the decision lies the city's overarching vision, articulated in the One Tacoma Comprehensive Plan. This plan prioritizes the development of livable neighborhood centers, transit-oriented development, and the equitable distribution of resources. South Tacoma, already designated as a neighborhood business district and zoned as a Neighborhood Mixed-Use Center, aligns perfectly with these strategic goals.
WA State: HB 1458 Embodied Carbon and building materials (Proposed)
House Bill 1458 focuses on reducing the embodied carbon emissions associated with buildings and building materials in Washington state. Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions released during the lifecycle of building materials, from raw material extraction and manufacturing to transportation and installation.
City of Seattle: Tax deferral for building conversions from Commercial to Residential
On February 11, 2025, the Seattle City Council passed Council Bill 120937, a pivotal piece of legislation designed to incentivize the conversion of underutilized commercial properties into residential housing. This initiative, set to take effect in 2025, aims to address both the city's housing shortage and the challenges faced by the commercial real estate market in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
WA State: HB 1175 Allowing Neighborhood Stores and Cafes in Residential Zones (Proposed)
House Bill 1175 mandates that cities and towns in Washington state allow neighborhood stores and cafés within residential zones. The bill adds new sections to chapters 35.21 and 35A.21 of the Revised Code of Washington, outlining the specific requirements for both incorporated cities and code cities (those operating under a specific set of state laws). The core provision requires these municipalities to permit such businesses in any area zoned for residential use, with the stipulation that cafés serving alcohol must also offer food.
Edmonds: Middle Housing and Impact Fee Code Update 2025
The City of Edmonds is undertaking a significant Development Code Update in 2025, driven primarily by state mandates concerning middle housing and impact fees. Senior Planner Brad Shipley presented key issues to the Planning Board on February 26, 2025, outlining the scope and challenges of this update.
Everett: Everett 2044 Plan
Everett, Washington, like many cities with a working waterfront, is trying to figure out how to balance a busy industrial port with the needs of its neighborhoods. As the city updates its long-range plan, called Everett 2044, the future of the port is a big topic of discussion. This plan, required by state law, is meant to guide the city's growth for the next twenty years, and what happens with the port will have a big impact on Everett's economy and the people who live there.
WA State: HB 1491 Transit Oriented Housing Development (Proposed)
House Bill 1491 in Washington state aims to address the housing affordability crisis by promoting transit-oriented development (TOD). The bill mandates increased housing density near transit hubs, specifically within a half-mile radius of train stations and a quarter-mile radius of bus rapid transit (BRT) stops. Cities operating under the Growth Management Act (GMA) are required to rezone these areas to allow for higher density residential and mixed-use development.
Bellevue: Middle Housing Land Use Code Revision (Draft)
In response to state mandates outlined in HB 1110 and HB 1337, Bellevue is undertaking significant revisions to its Land Use Code. HB 1110 compels the city to expand housing options by allowing up to four units per lot (six near transit or with affordable units), necessitating the inclusion of diverse housing types like cottage housing, stacked flats, courtyard apartments, and townhouses, while respecting existing density limits. Complementing this, HB 1337 requires updates to regulations governing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), recognizing their vital role in meeting the state's unit-per-lot requirements. These legislative directives are the driving force behind the proposed amendments to Bellevue's Land Use Code, aimed at diversifying housing stock and increasing density to address evolving community needs.
Tukwila: STEP Housing
Washington State's HB 1220, passed in 2021, significantly impacted local regulations concerning "STEP Housing," encompassing emergency shelters, transitional housing, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing. This legislation aimed to reduce restrictions on siting these crucial housing types. The law defines each STEP Housing type, clarifying distinctions between them and other similar facilities like group homes or assisted living. It explicitly excludes temporary encampments, tiny home villages, and traditional income-restricted housing, among other facility types, from the STEP Housing designation. Following the passage of HB 1220, Tukwila adopted regulations via Ordinance 2658 to align with the state statute. However, at that time, the Department of Commerce hadn't yet issued implementation guidance, nor had King County and the State Office of Financial Management finalized bed allocation numbers for each jurisdiction.
WA State: SB 5290 Streamline Local Permit Review Processes
Second Substitute Senate Bill 5290 focuses on consolidating and streamlining local permit review processes in Washington state. The bill amends several sections of existing law and adds new sections to Chapter 36.70B RCW, addressing various aspects of permit review, from timelines and completeness determinations to digital systems and financial assistance for local governments.
Lynnwood: Transformation to Transit Oriented Residential and Entertainment District
Lynnwood, Washington, designated a Regional Growth Center (RGC) in Snohomish County, is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the imminent arrival of the Link Light Rail and anchored by the ambitious Lynnwood Public Facilities District Master Plan designed by FREIHEIT Architecture. This plan envisions revitalizing an aging area into a dynamic mixed-use entertainment district, serving as a catalyst for further development and public activity. The Master Plan is a key component of Lynnwood's broader strategy to capitalize on its strategic location and the increased connectivity afforded by the light rail.
Kirkland: Planning Work Program
The Planning Work Program (PWP) is a document prepared by the City of Kirkland that serves as a blueprint for the city's development over the next three years. It seeks to explore innovative solutions, including the potential for inclusionary zoning and the optimization of “middle housing”—a category that encompasses townhouses, duplexes, and other forms of multi-family dwellings.
Sound Transit: Light Rail Update
Sound Transit is currently in the midst of a transformative period, marked by the rapid expansion of its light rail network. Having successfully launched three major extensions—the Tacoma T Line expansion, the initial Eastside 2 Line, and the Lynnwood Link Extension—the focus now shifts to completing the remaining projects within the next two years. The forthcoming 2 Line extension to Downtown Redmond is poised to open in Spring 2024, with crews finalizing station construction, installing public art, and conducting crucial live wire and pre-revenue testing. This extension will add two new stations, enhancing connectivity within the Eastside.
Tukwila: Restricting Townhomes in Urban Center
The Tukwila Urban Center, a designated regional growth center within the Puget Sound Regional Council's growth strategy, is striving to increase its density and reduce reliance on cars. This designation makes the area eligible for additional funding to facilitate its transition into a denser, transit-oriented development.
Snohomish County: Light Rail Community (LRC) Zone
Snohomish County is developing a new Light Rail Community (LRC) zone to support high-density, transit-oriented development around future light rail stations. This initiative began after voters approved the Sound Transit 3 measure in 2016, leading to planning efforts that included public outreach in 2020-2021 and integration with the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update. The draft LRC zone regulations are currently under review, with a public comment period running from February 1st to March 14th, 2025.
WA State: SB 5258 Impact Fees
Impact fees are one-time charges levied by local governments on new development projects to fund necessary infrastructure improvements like roads, parks, schools, and fire protection. Washington state law (RCW 82.02) mandates that these fees be proportional to the impact of the development and, specifically for housing, must be calculated to result in lower fees for smaller units. This proportionality must consider factors like square footage, number of bedrooms, or trip generation. The 2023 legislative update (SB 5258) reinforces this requirement, giving jurisdictions three options for calculating these tiered fees. Furthermore, state law (RCW 36.70A.681) limits impact fees for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to no more than 50% of the fee for the primary dwelling.