SB 5249 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning siting kit homes.

This bill allows cities and counties in Washington to permit factory-built "kit homes" (structures under 800 square feet assembled on-site) in residential zones for emergency housing. It requires local governments to adopt inspection processes ensuring these homes meet safety standards at least every five years. The bill eliminates minimum floor area requirements for single-family homes and permits kit homes in areas designated for residential use or emergency housing. It directly affects local zoning authorities, housing providers, and residents seeking temporary housing solutions.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Feb 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill Substitute Bill · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to clarify that kit homes are intended for emergency housing and to add a mandatory requirement for cities and counties to inspect these homes at least every five years to ensure they remain safe. The definition of kit homes was also updated to specify that they must be 800 square feet or smaller and consist of prefabricated walls, floors, and roofs.
Scope change
The scope was narrowed by defining kit homes as structures of 800 square feet or smaller, and the applicability was strengthened by requiring a five-year inspection process for all permitted kit homes.
REQUIREMENT

Added a mandatory requirement for cities and counties to inspect kit homes at least every five years to ensure they meet life, health, and safety standards.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of kit homes to specify they must be 800 square feet or smaller and comprised of prefabricated walls, floors, and roofs.

Changed the stated purpose of kit homes from general temporary housing to specifically 'emergency housing'.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
3
Committee
5
Jan 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.
upper
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
upper
Feb 21, 2025
Committee
Referred to Ways & Means.
upper
Feb 21, 2025
Committee
And refer to Ways & Means.
upper
Feb 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Housing at 10:30 AM.
upper
Jan 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Housing at 10:30 AM.
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors