House Bill 1110 would increase density by changing zoning to allow for more duplexes, fourplexes, and other multi-unit housing in Washington cities with more than 25,000 people. This bill has passed the House and is awaiting action in the Senate. It is not yet law.
House Bill 1245 would allow homeowners to split certain larger lots one time to build an additional dwelling unit. Cities may not prohibit lot splitting if the resulting lots are at least 2,000 square feet; the resulting lots are at least 40 percent of the size of the original lot; the resulting lots are consistent with the minimum review standards under chapter 58.17 RCW; the original lot was not created through the splitting of a single residential lot authorized by this section; and the lot split would not require demolition or alteration of any housing that is rent restricted, rent subsidized, or that has been occupied by a tenant paying market-rate rent within the preceding 12 months. Cities also may not impose regulations on a residential lot that is the result of a lot split that require more than one off-street parking space per lot; require more than 20 feet of frontage width per lot; require easement widths of more than five feet for access to rear lots unless site-specific conditions, such as access to utilities, require wider easements; Impose permitting requirements, design standards, or impacts fees on construction on a lot resulting from a lot split that are greater than those imposed on new residential construction generally within the same zone. This bill has passed the House and is awaiting action in the Senate. It is not yet law.
House Bill 1293 is intended to streamline the permitting process for housing construction in urban growth areas. This bill has passed the House and is awaiting action in the Senate. It is not yet law.
Similar bills have also been passed by the Senate.
Senate Bill 5235 would allow for accessory dwelling units like backyard cottages, and Senate Bill 5466 would increase housing density near transit.
It is therefore likely that at least some changes to zoning to require cities to allow greater density will eventually pass both chambers, be signed by the governor, and become law.
Contact Deepak Malhotra if you need help with real estate investing. Even if you are not looking in Cheney, Medical Lake, Airway Heights, or the Spokane area, mentoring services or referrals can be provided.