Housing Trust Fund Repair Fund
Washington State is taking a significant step to safeguard its affordable housing supply with the launch of the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Repair Fund. Recognizing that preserving existing affordable units is just as crucial as building new ones, the Washington State Legislature directed Commerce to establish this vital program in 2024. The result is a targeted funding opportunity designed to keep our low-income and permanent supportive housing safe, habitable, and available for those who need it most.
Tukwila: Title 17 Amendments
The City of Tukwila has initiated a code amendment proposal to revise regulations within Title 17 of the Tukwila Municipal Code (TMC) concerning land division and street improvements. This effort is driven by the necessity to integrate these standards with newly proposed provisions for middle housing within residential zoning districts. These policy changes will apply city-wide, and public notification was disseminated through the Seattle Times and the City of Tukwila website on April 10, 2025. An environmental review will be completed before the City Council's consideration of these amendments.
Tukwila: Title 18 Amendments
The City of Tukwila has proposed comprehensive amendments to Title 18 of the Tukwila Municipal Code (TMC) to comply with recent state legislation, most notably HB 1110 concerning middle housing, with a compliance deadline of June 30, 2025. Scheduled for a hearing on April 24, 2025, under file numbers L25-0032 and E25-0009, these updates aim to streamline regulations and foster housing development that aligns with community objectives. The notification of this hearing was published in the Seattle Times and on the city's website on April 10, 2025. An environmental determination will precede City Council consideration.
Seattle: Interim Zoning Changes
Seattle aims to implement interim zoning regulation changes to comply with several recently enacted Washington State bills focused on increasing housing production and streamlining development standards. The primary driver is House Bill 1110, the "Middle Housing bill," which mandates that cities allow a wider array of housing types, including duplexes, triplexes, and stacked flats, within areas predominantly zoned for single-family residences, while also limiting the regulation of this middle housing.
Kirkland: Housing Evolution
Kirkland is actively engaged in updating its development standards to align with recent Washington State mandates concerning middle housing, accessory dwelling units, parking, and design review within its residential zones. These changes are driven by state legislation, notably the "missing middle" housing bill (E2SHB 1110) and the accessory dwelling units bill (EHB 1337), enacted to address the statewide housing affordability and availability crisis. The state's authority to impose such requirements stems from the Growth Management Act (GMA), which compels local governments to plan for housing accessible across all income levels.
Issaquah: Planning for Growth
Issaquah is strategically positioned for significant future development. While maintaining its urban-suburban feel along the I-90 corridor, the city anticipates substantial transformation, particularly in Central Issaquah and Olde Town. City plans, including the Comprehensive Plan and Central Issaquah Plan, explicitly target these areas for increased residential and employment density over the next two decades to meet mandated growth targets. This future Issaquah will see a deliberate shift in land use patterns to accommodate an expanding population and job market, building upon its existing base of major employers like Costco.
Kent: 2044 Comprehensive Plan
Kent's 2044 Comprehensive Plan lays out a strategic framework for the city's development over the next two decades, directly impacting how and where growth occurs. It prioritizes sustainable and equitable development, balancing economic growth with environmental protection and social well-being. This plan acts as a guide for zoning, infrastructure investments, and land-use decisions, aiming to shape Kent into a thriving, livable city.
Lynnwood: Retail Cannabis
The Lynnwood Planning Commission convened on February 27th, 2025, for a meeting that addressed the potential introduction of retail cannabis sales. Chaired by Robert Larsen, the meeting saw robust public comment and in-depth discussions among commissioners and staff.
The public comment period provided a platform for diverse perspectives on the matter. Edmonds resident Gay-Lynn Beighton voiced strong opposition, sharing a deeply personal account of her son's battle with schizophrenia, which she believes was linked to his early cannabis use. Beighton expressed concerns about the potential harm to youth mental health, the normalization of cannabis through legalization, and urged the Commission to prioritize the well-being of future generations over potential tax revenue.
SB 5184: Parking Requirements
SB 5184 addresses minimum parking requirements within Washington cities and counties. Recognizing the framework established by the Growth Management Act (GMA), the bill sets new limitations on mandatory parking for various types of development. For multifamily dwelling units, the maximum requirement is capped at 0.5 spaces per unit, while single-family homes cannot be mandated to provide more than one parking space. Commercial spaces face a limit of two parking spaces per 1,000 square feet.
Pierce County: 2024 Comp Plan
Pierce County's 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update, effective February 15, 2025, culminates three years of revisions and numerous community inputs, significantly impacting future development within the county. Adopted with 44 amendments by the Pierce County Council on December 3, 2024, the plan sets revised parameters for urban and rural growth. A notable development-related change is the 1,541-acre reduction in the Urban Growth Area (UGA) boundary, achieved through 19 amendments. These areas, now designated for rural land use and zoning, will see a shift away from potential urban development, prioritizing the conservation of open space, farms, and forests. The finalized UGA boundary directly dictates where future urban-scale development can occur.
Gig Harbor: High-Density Residential Development
Gig Harbor's overdue 2044 Comprehensive Plan update is grappling with the state mandate to accommodate moderate to low-income housing, necessitating a shift towards higher-density residential development. This requirement pushes the city to enable developers to create 662 new homes, with over half affordable to those with moderate to low incomes. To achieve this, the plan proposes significant upzones, notably a fivefold increase in density on a 13-acre parcel in Swede Hill and a similar increase around Point Fosdick and Olympic Drives.
WA State: Housing Affordability Index
The Housing Attainability Index, a Washington-based resource, reveals a concerning reality: homeownership is unaffordable for 80% of Washington families in March 2025. This study highlights a significant disconnect between the income required to qualify for a median-priced home and the actual earnings of most households in the state. While the median home price stands at $596,514, requiring an annual income of $183,619, the average Washington household earns only $94,605, approximately half of what's needed.
Tacoma: Pacific Avenue Corridor
Picture Pac Ave represents a proactive and community-driven initiative by the City of Tacoma to forge a comprehensive long-term vision for growth and development along the Pacific Avenue corridor, stretching from approximately I-5 to South 96th Street. Recognizing the transformative potential of planned transit improvements in this area, the city is partnering directly with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to collaboratively shape the future of this vital artery. The primary aim of Picture Pac Ave is to strategically guide future investments and policy decisions, ultimately fostering a more vibrant, sustainable, and equitable corridor for both current and future Tacomans.
Fife: Zoning Updates
The City of Fife is undertaking a comprehensive update to its zoning regulations as part of its 2024-2044 Periodic Update, proposing significant changes to existing zoning designations and introducing new ones to better reflect the city's evolving landscape and planning objectives. A key focus of these proposed changes is the area surrounding the future Sound Transit station, with the creation of two new zones: City Center North and City Center South. City Center North is specifically designed for the immediate vicinity north of the freeway, anticipating higher density development and mixed-use opportunities capitalizing on the transit infrastructure. In contrast, City Center South is envisioned as a buffer zone south of the freeway, providing a transition between the more intense development of City Center North and the existing lower density residential areas in central Fife.
WA State: HB 1491 TOD Density Requirements (Proposed)
HB 1491 aims to significantly promote community and transit-oriented housing development (TOD) in Washington state by mandating specific density requirements and providing incentives for affordable housing near transit stations. The bill targets cities planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA), requiring them to allow higher-density residential and mixed-use development within designated station areas.
Pierce County: Economic Index
The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber (TPCC)'s 2025 Pierce County Economic Index (PCEI) Report, authored by economist Dr. Neal Johnson, reveals a nuanced economic landscape for Pierce County, with particular emphasis on the challenges confronting the construction sector. While the overall forecast anticipates moderate economic growth of 1.6%, the report highlights significant headwinds for construction, primarily stemming from persistent high mortgage rates. Andrea Reay, President & CEO of TPCC, acknowledges these difficulties, stating that while progress is evident in areas like personal income and job creation, the struggles within the housing market underscore the lingering impact of broader economic conditions. The report serves as a critical tool for members to navigate the year ahead, particularly those in or reliant on the construction industry, providing insights needed to foster resilience amidst these specific challenges.
WA State: HB 1160 Design Review for Housing Development (Proposed)
HB 1160 focuses on streamlining design review processes for housing development permit applications within cities and counties operating under the Growth Management Act (GMA) in Washington state. The bill aims to address the housing crisis by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and increasing predictability in the permitting process.
Seattle: Housing in the stadium Transition Area Overlay District
Seattle City Council Bill 120933, now approved by the City Council, amends the Seattle Municipal Code, specifically Sections 23.74.002 and 23.74.008, to permit residential uses within the Stadium Transition Area Overlay District (STAOD). This change aims to diversify land use in the area surrounding Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park, which is currently zoned primarily for Urban Industrial (UI) use.
The STAOD, designed to foster a pedestrian-friendly environment, has historically restricted residential development. The approved amendment seeks to remove these restrictions, allowing residential projects as conditional uses within the UI-zoned sections of the district. This aligns with the city's goal of increasing workforce housing and revitalizing the area beyond event days.
Redmond: 2025 Code Package
The City of Redmond's "Redmond 2050: 2025 Code Package" represents a significant overhaul of its planning and zoning regulations, designed to align with the city's long-term vision and address evolving community needs. This comprehensive update is structured into two primary parts, focusing on different aspects of the city's regulatory framework.
WA State: SB 5659 Mandated Home Construction Levels (Proposed)
Senate Bill 5659 aims to address Washington's severe housing shortage by mandating increased home construction at the local level. The bill begins by acknowledging the state's critical need for over a million new homes and emphasizes the crucial role local governments play in housing development due to their permitting authority. It expresses the legislature's intent to collaborate with local and state entities to boost new home construction and alleviate the shortage within the next decade.