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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Washington's 2024 Substitute Senate Bill 6015, now RCW 36.70A.622, significantly alters residential parking regulations under the Growth Management Act (GMA). Applicable to fully planning counties and their cities, excluding areas within a mile of major airports (with some exceptions), the law mandates updates to comprehensive plans and development regulations to comply with new parking standards. These updates must be completed by the next periodic update cycle.

HB 1998 is a Washington state law requiring cities and counties to permit co-living housing. Co-living is defined as independently rented and lockable sleeping units within a building where residents share kitchen facilities. The law mandates that co-living be a permitted use in urban growth areas on lots allowing at least six residential units, including mixed-use zones. This requirement applies to all fully planning counties and their cities by December 31, 2025. Jurisdictions must adopt or amend co-living housing standards by ordinance by this date, or the state law will supersede local regulations. Actions taken to comply with this law are exempt from challenges under the Growth Management Act and the State Environmental Policy Act.