Housing

HB 1353 creates a program allowing cities in Washington to let registered architects self-certify that accessory dwelling unit (ADU) projects meet building code requirements, instead of requiring full city review. This directly affects homeowners building ADUs, architects who can self-certify, and cities that choose to adopt the program. Key provisions include mandatory random audits (at least 20% of applications yearly), penalties for failed audits (temporary suspension for first failure, permanent ban for second within 5 years), and requirements for architects to maintain insurance. Cities must also track and share audit results with a state database to prevent problematic architects from participating in other cities. The law aims to streamline ADU permitting while maintaining safety through oversight.