MEDIA CONTACT: Martina Pansze, Sightline Institute, martina@sightline.org
Article: Housing bills to watch in Washington’s 2025 Legislative Session
OLYMPIA, WA – Regional, nonpartisan think tank Sightline Institute analyzed over two dozen housing-related bills under consideration in Olympia to identify the legislation that would best address Washington’s deep statewide housing shortage.
The following pieces of legislation have already passed out of their house of origin. Tomorrow, March 12, is the deadline for bills to be voted through their first chamber.
Parking Minimums (SB 5184)
The Parking Reform and Modernization Act would cap the minimum number of parking spots local governments can mandate for new homes and businesses and give full parking flexibility to certain building types, including daycares, senior living facilities, affordable housing, and small-footprint housing and commercial buildings.
Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government on March 14.
- Bill explainer: WA bill would cap excessive parking mandates
Transit-Oriented Development (HB 1491)
This transit-oriented development (TOD) bill would legalize larger apartment buildings near major transit stops, helping more people afford to live within reach of jobs, schools, and opportunity.
The bill was amended to create a new TOD property tax exemption to compensate for the cost of the affordable homes required in every new apartment building constructed near transit.
Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Housing on March 14.
Historic Landmarking (HB 1576)
Historic landmarking is a way to respect Washington’s towns and cities’ past while building for their future. To honor the intent of designations and prevent weaponized landmarking, HB 1576 would require owner consent for landmark designation except for buildings at least 100 years old, and set a minimum age of 40 years for a building to be nominated for landmark status.
Awaiting a hearing in the Senate.
Elevator code (SB 5156)
This bill would allow smaller elevators in small-scale multifamily buildings. Small, economical elevators are a key to accessible, affordable, convenient city living options for seniors, caretakers and people living with disabilities, and families with strollers.
House reading February 24th, referred to Housing Committee.
Lot-splitting (HB 1096)
For a homeowner struggling with rising costs, selling part of their lot can mean keeping their home and staying put in their community. And for first-time buyers, it means smaller, more affordable starter homes in Washington’s desirable neighborhoods.
Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Housing at 10:30 am on March 14.
Production Accountability (SB 5148)
SB 5148 ensure cities and towns are doing their part to build the homes Washington needs. It would grant the Department of Commerce new authority to review and approve the local housing plans required by state law.
Voted out of the Senate March 11, awaiting hearing in the House.
Clear and Objective Standards (SB 5613)
SB 5613 would require all residential development standards to be clear and objective, to prevent sloppy standards from enabling frivolous legal challenges that needlessly delay homebuilding.
Voted out of the Senate March 11, awaiting hearing in the House.
Read the full list of housing-related bills, and reach out to martina@sightline.org with questions about policy impacts.
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Sightline Institute is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank providing leading original analysis of housing, democracy, energy, and forests policy in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, British Columbia, and beyond.
