SB 5461 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning residential development in limited areas of more intensive rural development.

This bill requires Washington counties and cities to update their comprehensive plans with specific new elements. It mandates detailed housing analysis for all income levels (including low and very low-income households), explicit strategies to address racially disparate housing impacts from zoning, and anti-displacement policies like inclusionary zoning. The bill also requires land use planning to protect groundwater, mitigate wildfire risks through development standards, and coordinate capital facilities planning with housing needs. These changes apply directly to local governments managing urban growth areas and rural development zones. The bill does not alter existing housing laws but adds new requirements to local planning documents.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Jan 12, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
LGV - Majority; do pass.
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Local Government at 1:30 PM.
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Local Government at 1:30 PM.
upper
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors