SB 5471 — Authorizing middle housing in unincorporated growth areas and unincorporated urban growth areas, certain limited areas of more intensive rural development, and fully contained communities.

S-0529.3ENGROSSED SENATE BILL 5471 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Senators Goehner, Bateman, Chapman, Frame, Liias, Nobles, and Saldaña Read first time 01/23/25.

(1)(1)(a) AtMiddle least one middle housing unittypes on each parcel that permits single-familysingle- family residences in designated urban growth areas, limited areas of more intensive rural development designated according to the requirements in RCW 36.70A.070(5)(d)(i);

(2)(b) If a county takes action authorized by this subsection, it may not authorize more than 4 residential units per lot in limited areas of more intensive rural development designated according to RCW 36.70A.070(5)(d)(i), and its development regulations must:

1 SBESB 5471 (a)(i) Not require any standards for middle housing that are more restrictive than those required for detached single-family residences, but may apply any objective development regulations that are required for detached single-family residences, including, but not limited to, setback, lot coverage, stormwater, clearing, and tree canopy and retention requirements;

(b)(ii) Apply to middle housing the same development permit and environmental review processes that apply to detached single-family residences, unless otherwise required by state law, including, but not limited to, shoreline regulations under chapter 90.58 RCW, building codes under chapter 19.27 RCW, energy codes under chapter 19.27A RCW, or electrical codes under chapter 19.28 RCW;

and (c)(iii) Require that middle housing in limited areas of more intensive rural development be served by sewer service.

(2)(a) At least one middle housing unit on each parcel that permits single-family residences in designated urban growth areas.

(b) If a county takes action authorized by this subsection, it may not authorize more than four residential units per lot within the designated urban growth area and its development regulations must:

(i) Not require any standards for middle housing that are more restrictive than those required for detached single-family residences, but may apply any objective development regulations that are required for detached single-family residences, including, but not limited to, setback, lot coverage, stormwater, clearing, and tree canopy and retention requirements;

(ii) Apply to middle housing the same development permit and environmental review processes that apply to detached single-family residences, unless otherwise required by state law, including, but not limited to, shoreline regulations under chapter 90.58 RCW, building codes under chapter 19.27 RCW, energy codes under chapter 19.27A RCW, or electrical codes under chapter 19.28 RCW;

and (iii) Require that middle housing in designated urban growth areas be served by water and sewer services.

The actions specified in section 2, chapter 246, Laws of 2022 unless the adoption of such ordinances, development regulationsp. and amendments to such regulations, or other nonproject actions has a probable significant adverse impact on fish habitat;

2 ESB 5471 regulations and amendments to such regulations, or other nonproject actions has a probable significant adverse impact on fish habitat;

p.Sec.

2 SB 5471 Sec.

(c)p. That the approval of a work plan adopted under RCW 36.70A.735(1)(a) is not in compliance with the requirements of the program established under RCW 36.70A.710;

3 ESB 5471 (c) That the approval of a work plan adopted under RCW 36.70A.735(1)(a) is not in compliance with the requirements of the program established under RCW 36.70A.710;

p.(3) For purposes of this section "person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, state agency, governmental subdivision or unit thereof, or public or private organization or entity of any character.

3 SB 5471 (3) For purposes of this section "person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, state agency, governmental subdivision or unit thereof, or public or private organization or entity of any character.

If adjusted by the board, a county growth management planning population projection shall only be used for the planning purposes set forth in this chapter and shall be known as the "board adjusted population projection." None of these changes shall affect the officialp. state and county population forecasts prepared by the office of financial management, which shall continue to be used for state budget and planning purposes.

4 ESB 5471 official state and county population forecasts prepared by the office of financial management, which shall continue to be used for state budget and planning purposes.

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