Housing (Building Codes)

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1438: Ensuring efficient approval of certain housing permit applications.

HB 1438 sets strict time limits for Washington cities and counties to approve housing permit applications, requiring final decisions within 65 days for simple permits, 100 days for those needing public notice, and 170 days for projects requiring public hearings. If deadlines are missed, local governments must refund 10-20% of permit fees based on how long they exceed the timeline. The law applies specifically to housing projects in urban growth areas with residential units and excludes certain permit types or planning processes. It aims to streamline housing development by creating predictable, enforceable review timelines for local governments.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill streamlines housing permit approvals with strict deadlines, directly increasing housing development speed in urban areas to address supply shortages and affordability concerns.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Property Development

Track

signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1096: Increasing housing options through lot splitting.

HB 1096 requires certain Washington cities, those with minimum density requirements under the Growth Management Act, to establish an administrative process for splitting residential lots. This process allows an existing residential lot to be divided into two, facilitating the creation of new middle housing or single-family homes, often with simultaneous review of a building permit. The lot split can be approved administratively by a planning director, without a public hearing, if specific conditions are met regarding lot size, utilities, and access. The bill aims to increase housing options for homeowners and prospective buyers, with the Department of Commerce providing guidance and grants to cities for implementation.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingHB 1096 explicitly increases housing options by enabling administrative lot splitting for middle housing/single-family homes, removing barriers to development per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Property Development Zoning

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5776: Promoting housing affordability by incentivizing the construction of American dream homes.

SB 5776 creates a program for "American dream homes" - owner-occupied single-family homes under 1,500 square feet designed for low-income households. It requires cities to limit permitting fees to $1,250 per home, provides property tax exemptions for seven years, and offers tax credits to builders based on the home's selling price. Homes must stay affordable for low-income buyers (defined as households earning ≤70% of local median income) for seven years after the first sale, with restrictions preventing resale above affordability limits unless due to foreclosure. The program expires December 31, 2036, and applies only to homes meeting specific income and size criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemptions and builder tax credits for low-income housing, reducing tax burden on target households per bill's tax relief measures.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates affordable housing program with tax exemptions, builder credits, and 7-year affordability requirement for low-income households (≤70% median income), directly advancing housing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Affordable Housing Building Codes Homeownership

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signed · Washington · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 1183: Concerning building code and development regulation reform.

HB 1183 reforms building codes and development regulations for cities and counties in Washington to encourage affordable and sustainable building practices. The bill mandates that cities allow for increased housing density, reduced parking requirements, and streamlined permitting when adding residential units within existing commercial or mixed-use buildings. It also provides flexibility in setback and roof height rules for existing buildings undergoing residential retrofits and for new construction or retrofits meeting "passive house" energy efficiency standards. These changes aim to reduce regulatory barriers for converting existing structures into homes and promote energy-efficient construction.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates increased housing density, reduced parking requirements, and streamlined permitting to encourage affordable housing development per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Property Development Zoning

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1029: Concerning 3D-printed building construction.

HB 1029 requires Washington’s building code council to update the state residential code to include 3D-printed building construction standards in two phases. First, by the 2024 code update cycle, the council must adopt the 2024 International Residential Code appendix for 3D printing in the code’s appendix. Second, by the 2027 update cycle, it must move these standards into the main body of the residential code, not just an appendix. This bill directly affects builders, developers, and homeowners using 3D-printed construction methods in Washington state by establishing standardized safety and technical requirements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables 3D-printed construction standards, facilitating faster, potentially lower-cost housing development, supporting housing supply expansion.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes regulatory standards for 3D printing in construction, enabling adoption and innovation in building technology by mandating code integration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes

Track

signed · Washington · House May 7, 2025

HB 1757: Modifying regulations for existing buildings used for residential purposes.

HB 1757 modifies regulations for existing buildings in Washington state, aiming to streamline the process for adding residential units. It requires cities to allow up to 50% more housing density within an existing building's footprint in multifamily zones and prohibits new parking requirements for these additional units. The bill also limits local governments from imposing certain permitting, design, and energy code requirements on these conversions beyond what is generally applicable. Cities must adopt these changes by June 30, 2026, or the state requirements will automatically take effect.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves density restrictions and parking requirements, enabling more residential units without extra local barriers to increase housing supply.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Zoning

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5615: Concerning project permit applications for residential housing units.

This bill requires cities to review residential housing permit applications under the zoning rules in effect when a fully completed application is submitted, rather than current rules. It allows cities to pause processing until fees are paid or notices are posted, but does not make applications invalid for missing these items. The law applies to projects in urban growth areas and does not override other requirements like those in chapter 43.21C RCW. It standardizes the timing for permit reviews to reduce delays in housing development.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStreamlines housing permits by applying historical zoning rules, reducing developer uncertainty and facilitating construction in urban areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Property Development Zoning

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5614: Concerning impact fees.

SB 5614 requires Washington counties and cities to create systems deferring impact fees for single-family and attached residential construction. Local governments must allow homeowners to delay full payment until final inspection, certificate of occupancy, or the first property sale after a building permit is issued, documented through a promissory note. If fees aren’t paid within one month of the first sale, penalties (5% escalating to 20%) and interest apply, but these are personal liabilities - not property liens. The bill affects homebuilders (who must arrange deferrals), buyers (who may pay fees at closing), and local governments (which must implement the system by September 2026).

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDeferring impact fees reduces upfront costs for residential developers, potentially increasing housing supply and affordability by easing financial barriers to construction.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5747: Concerning an exemption for affordable housing.

SB 5747 exempts affordable housing projects from current state building code requirements, allowing cities and counties to enforce older building codes (the last four iterations) to lower construction costs and speed development. It directly affects developers and local governments building housing defined as affordable - rental units costing ≤30% of household income or owner-occupied housing for low/moderate-income households (≤80% of local median income). The bill amends Washington’s building code statutes (RCW 19.27 and 19.27A) to create this exemption specifically for affordable housing projects. This policy change aims to increase housing supply by reducing regulatory barriers for qualifying developments.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts affordable housing from current building codes to lower costs and accelerate development, directly advancing affordable housing access for low/moderate-income households.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Building Codes Property Development

Track

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 14, 2026

SB 5552: Concerning the creation of building codes for kit homes.

SB 5552 aims to create a new category of building codes specifically for "kit homes" to increase affordable housing options. The bill defines kit homes as residential structures 800 square feet or smaller, built from prefabricated walls, floors, and roofs assembled on-site. It directs the State Building Code Council to establish these specific building codes for kit homes by December 31, 2025. This initiative is intended to provide more affordable small homes for homebuyers of modest means.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates building codes for kit homes (≤800 sq ft) to boost affordable housing access for modest-income buyers, directly advancing affordable housing options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Building Codes Zoning