Housing (Land Use)

HB 1695 amends Washington's Growth Management Act to update land use planning requirements for counties and cities. It requires all comprehensive plans to explicitly address environmental justice, wildfire risk mitigation (including adopting codes like Firewise USA), and housing equity. Specifically, housing elements must now identify racially disparate impacts from local policies, implement anti-displacement strategies, and ensure affordable housing access across income levels. The bill directly affects all jurisdictions subject to the Growth Management Act, including unincorporated areas, by mandating these specific provisions in their planning documents.

HB 1974 establishes a framework for counties to create land banking authorities aimed at increasing affordable housing. These land banks - public entities or nonprofits - can acquire, hold, and develop land within urban growth areas, requiring at least 33% of housing units to be affordable to extremely low-income households, no more than 33% at market rate, and the remainder for moderate-income residents. The bill mandates 99-year affordability covenants on developed land, prioritizes displacement mitigation, and requires advisory boards reflecting community diversity to oversee land bank activities. It directly affects counties, housing developers, and low/moderate-income residents, particularly in communities disproportionately impacted by housing inequities.

SB 5699 amends Washington State law requiring counties and cities to update their comprehensive plans. It mandates specific additions to the land use element, including wildfire risk mitigation (like adopting firewise standards), groundwater protection, and environmental justice considerations. The housing element must address racial disparities in housing access, identify anti-displacement policies, and ensure affordable housing options for low- to moderate-income households, including accessory dwelling units. This bill directly affects all local governments required to maintain comprehensive plans under state law.

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.

SB 5497 requires Washington local governments (cities and counties) to approve permits for permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, or shelters through administrative processes only - preventing discretionary denials based on local comprehensive plans or regulations. If local rules block such projects, applicants can request a waiver of specific requirements, and the state department must resolve disputes. Noncompliant local governments face enforcement, including state withholding of certain tax revenues (like motor vehicle fuel or sales taxes) if they fail to issue permits or amend zoning rules within 60 days. The bill directly affects housing developers seeking these facilities and local governments managing land use approvals.

SB 5749 allows cities and code cities to designate "housing development opportunity zones" in underutilized areas with existing large commercial structures, such as shopping malls or vacant stores. Within these zones, residential development is prioritized, and projects are encouraged to use existing infrastructure and site areas to help reduce costs. Cities may also waive impact fees for developments in these zones, and designations can be implemented outside of typical planning cycles, provided they are included in the next comprehensive plan update. The bill mandates a review by 2043 to assess the number of housing and affordable housing units created, with a provision for potential repeal if affordable housing targets are not met, and the act is set to expire on July 1, 2045.

SB 5660 allows counties and cities to extend public water, storm drain, and sewage systems beyond urban growth boundaries when specific conditions are met: environmental or health harms exist from lacking utilities, the extension won't encourage urban growth, and the community determines it's economically feasible. It requires local comprehensive plans to address utility access needs, including reviewing drainage and stormwater runoff impacts. The bill directly affects properties outside urban areas without existing utility connections, particularly in rural or underserved communities. Key provisions create new criteria for utility extensions while amending planning requirements to integrate environmental and housing considerations. The bill does not mandate extensions but provides flexibility for local governments to act under defined safeguards.