Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate 4 D cosponsors

SB 5613 — Concerning the development of clear and objective standards, conditions, and procedures for residential development.

Last action — Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. On motion, referred to Ways & Means.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 31, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 54% · moderate confidence

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 4 sponsors

    1 primary, 3 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (4 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

559 added · 584 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Bill SB 5613 shifted the focus from "design and development standards" to "clear and objective standards, conditions, and procedures" for regulating residential development. This change is significant because it aims to create more transparent and straightforward guidelines for how cities and counties can manage residential projects. Additionally, the original requirement for compliance by January 1, 2028, was removed, which may lead to a more flexible timeline for local governments to adapt to these standards. By ensuring that regulations are clear and objective, the bill seeks to streamline the development process, potentially making it easier for builders and developers to navigate the requirements.

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S-1674.1 SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5613 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Senate Housing (originally sponsored by Senators Salomon, Trudeau, Liias, and Nobles) READ FIRST TIME 02/20/25.
S-0969.1 SENATE BILL 5613 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Senators Salomon, Trudeau, Liias, and Nobles Read first time 01/31/25.
Referred to Committee on Housing.
(1) The department of commerce shall form a stakeholder work group to analyze development regulations that create barriers to housing types, and suggest model codes that contain clear and objective standards.
(1) The department of commerce shall form a stakeholder work group to analyze development regulations that create barriers to housing types, and suggest model codes that contain clear and objective standards, conditions, and procedures.
(3) The work group shall help guide implementation of the clear and objective standards and a model code for residential development required in RCW 36.70A.190.
(3) The work group shall help guide implementation of the clear and objective standards, conditions, and procedures, and a model code for residential development required in RCW 36.70A.190.
1 SSB 5613 NEW SECTION.
1 SB 5613 NEW SECTION.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a city or county may adopt and apply only clear and objective design and development standards regulating residential development.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a city or county may adopt and apply only clear and objective standards, conditions, and procedures regulating residential development.
The standards:
The standards, conditions, and procedures:
(2) In addition to an approval process for residential development based on clear and objective design and development standards as provided in subsection (1) of this section, a city or county may adopt and apply an alternative approval process for applications and permits for residential development based on approval criteria regulating, in whole or in part, appearance or aesthetics that are not clear and objective if:
(2) In addition to an approval process for residential development based on clear and objective standards, conditions, and procedures as provided in subsection (1) of this section, a city or county may adopt and apply an alternative approval process for applications and permits for residential development based on approval criteria regulating, in whole or in part, appearance or aesthetics that are not clear and objective if:
(4) By January 1, 2028, all development regulations in effect in a city or county must comply with the requirements of this section.
(5) The provisions of this section do not apply to standards regulating residential development outside of urban growth areas designated under RCW 36.70A.110.
(6) A city or county has met the requirements of this section if:
p.
2 SSB 5613 (a) The city or county adopts standards in compliance with this section;
or (b)(i) The city or county adopts the model code produced by the department under section 4 of this act;
(ii) The city or county submits any standards adopted under this subsection to the department for approval;
and (iii) The department determines that the adopted provisions meet the requirements of the model code developed under section 4 of this act.
If the department determines that the adopted provisions do not meet the requirements of the model code developed under section 4 of this act, the department shall notify the city or county of the deficiencies identified and proposed amendments to correct any deficiencies.
Upon amendment of any provisions deemed to not meet the requirements of the model code, the city or county may resubmit the amended provisions to the department for approval.
(1) "Active transportation" means forms of pedestrian mobility including walking or running, the use of a mobility assistive device such as a wheelchair, bicycling and cycling irrespective of the number of wheels, and the use of small personal devices such as foot scooters or skateboards.
p.
2 SB 5613 (1) "Active transportation" means forms of pedestrian mobility including walking or running, the use of a mobility assistive device such as a wheelchair, bicycling and cycling irrespective of the number of wheels, and the use of small personal devices such as foot scooters or skateboards.
(3) "Administrative design review" means a development permit process whereby an application is reviewed, approved, or denied by the planning director or the planning director's designee based solely on clear and objective design and development standards without a public predecision hearing, unless such review is otherwise required by state or federal law, or the structure is a designated p.
(3) "Administrative design review" means a development permit process whereby an application is reviewed, approved, or denied by the planning director or the planning director's designee based solely on objective design and development standards without a public predecision hearing, unless such review is otherwise required by state or federal law, or the structure is a designated landmark or historic district established under a local preservation ordinance.
3 SSB 5613 landmark or historic district established under a local preservation ordinance.
(6) "Agricultural land" means land primarily devoted to the commercial production of horticultural, viticultural, floricultural, dairy, apiary, vegetable, or animal products or of berries, grain, hay, straw, turf, seed, Christmas trees not subject to the excise tax imposed by RCW 84.33.100 through 84.33.140, finfish in upland hatcheries, or livestock, and that has long-term commercial significance for agricultural production.
p.
3 SB 5613 (6) "Agricultural land" means land primarily devoted to the commercial production of horticultural, viticultural, floricultural, dairy, apiary, vegetable, or animal products or of berries, grain, hay, straw, turf, seed, Christmas trees not subject to the excise tax imposed by RCW 84.33.100 through 84.33.140, finfish in upland hatcheries, or livestock, and that has long-term commercial significance for agricultural production.
(c) fish and wildlife habitat conservation p.
(c) fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas;
4 SSB 5613 areas;
Development regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter must be clear and objective design and development standards as defined in this section.
Development regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter must be clear and objective as defined in this section.
A development regulation does not include a decision to approve a project permit application, as defined in RCW 36.70B.020, even though the decision may be expressed in a resolution or ordinance of the legislative body of the county or city.
A development p.
4 SB 5613 regulation does not include a decision to approve a project permit application, as defined in RCW 36.70B.020, even though the decision may be expressed in a resolution or ordinance of the legislative body of the county or city.
Environmental justice includes addressing p.
Environmental justice includes addressing disproportionate environmental and health impacts in all laws, rules, and policies with environmental impacts by prioritizing vulnerable populations and overburdened communities and the equitable distribution of resources and benefits.
5 SSB 5613 disproportionate environmental and health impacts in all laws, rules, and policies with environmental impacts by prioritizing vulnerable populations and overburdened communities and the equitable distribution of resources and benefits.
(a) The proximity of the land to urban, suburban, and rural settlements;
(a) The proximity of the land p.
5 SB 5613 to urban, suburban, and rural settlements;
p.
(21) "Green infrastructure" means a wide array of natural assets and built structures within an urban growth area boundary, including parks and other areas with protected tree canopy, and management practices at multiple scales that manage wet weather and that maintain and restore natural hydrology by storing, infiltrating, evapotranspiring, and harvesting and using stormwater.
6 SSB 5613 (21) "Green infrastructure" means a wide array of natural assets and built structures within an urban growth area boundary, including parks and other areas with protected tree canopy, and management practices at multiple scales that manage wet weather and that maintain and restore natural hydrology by storing, infiltrating, evapotranspiring, and harvesting and using stormwater.
(23) "Long-term commercial significance" includes the growing capacity, productivity, and soil composition of the land for long- term commercial production, in consideration with the land's proximity to population areas, and the possibility of more intense uses of the land.
(23) "Long-term commercial significance" includes the growing capacity, productivity, and soil composition of the land for long- term commercial production, in consideration with the land's p.
6 SB 5613 proximity to population areas, and the possibility of more intense uses of the land.
p.
(27) "Minerals" include gravel, sand, and valuable metallic substances.
7 SSB 5613 (27) "Minerals" include gravel, sand, and valuable metallic substances.
(31) "Permanent supportive housing" is subsidized, leased housing with no limit on length of stay that prioritizes people who need comprehensive support services to retain tenancy and utilizes admissions practices designed to use lower barriers to entry than would be typical for other subsidized or unsubsidized rental housing, especially related to rental history, criminal history, and personal behaviors.
(31) "Permanent supportive housing" is subsidized, leased housing with no limit on length of stay that prioritizes people who need comprehensive support services to retain tenancy and utilizes admissions practices designed to use lower barriers to entry than p.
Show all 86 changed rows (46 more)
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7 SB 5613 would be typical for other subsidized or unsubsidized rental housing, especially related to rental history, criminal history, and personal behaviors.
p.
(34) "Recreational land" means land so designated under RCW 36.70A.1701 and that, immediately prior to this designation, was designated as agricultural land of long-term commercial significance under RCW 36.70A.170.
8 SSB 5613 (34) "Recreational land" means land so designated under RCW 36.70A.1701 and that, immediately prior to this designation, was designated as agricultural land of long-term commercial significance under RCW 36.70A.170.
and (g) That are consistent with the protection of natural surface water flows and groundwater and surface water recharge and discharge areas.
and p.
8 SB 5613 (g) That are consistent with the protection of natural surface water flows and groundwater and surface water recharge and discharge areas.
p.
(38) "Short line railroad" means those railroad lines designated class II or class III by the United States surface transportation board.
9 SSB 5613 (38) "Short line railroad" means those railroad lines designated class II or class III by the United States surface transportation board.
(44) "Urban growth" refers to growth that makes intensive use of land for the location of buildings, structures, and impermeable surfaces to such a degree as to be incompatible with the primary use of land for the production of food, other agricultural products, or fiber, or the extraction of mineral resources, rural uses, rural development, and natural resource lands designated pursuant to RCW 36.70A.170.
p.
9 SB 5613 (44) "Urban growth" refers to growth that makes intensive use of land for the location of buildings, structures, and impermeable surfaces to such a degree as to be incompatible with the primary use of land for the production of food, other agricultural products, or fiber, or the extraction of mineral resources, rural uses, rural development, and natural resource lands designated pursuant to RCW 36.70A.170.
(46) "Very low-income household" means a single person, family, or unrelated persons living together whose adjusted income is at or below fifty percent of the median household income adjusted for p.
(46) "Very low-income household" means a single person, family, or unrelated persons living together whose adjusted income is at or below fifty percent of the median household income adjusted for household size, for the county where the household is located, as reported by the United States department of housing and urban development.
10 SSB 5613 household size, for the county where the household is located, as reported by the United States department of housing and urban development.
Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.
Wetlands generally include swamps, p.
10 SB 5613 marshes, bogs, and similar areas.
(50) "Clear and objective design and development standards" means locally adopted development regulations that involve no personal or subjective judgment by a public official, and are ascertainable by reference to measurable written or graphic criteria available and p.
(50) "Clear and objective" means standards, conditions, and procedures adopted pursuant to this chapter that must establish clear, objective, ascertainable, and uniform guidelines so that interpretation is not left solely to the ad hoc, subjective discretion of administrative bodies or local officials.
11 SSB 5613 knowable to both the permit applicant and public officials prior to submittal.
A clear and objective standard, condition, or procedure:
(a) Must include one or more ascertainable guideline, standard, or criterion by which an applicant can determine whether a given proposal is permissible under the standard, condition, or procedure;
(b) may not result in a reduction in density, height, bulk, or scale below the generally applicable development regulations for a development proposal in the applicable zone;
and (c) may provide discretion to administrative bodies or local officials but must include objective criteria for how that discretion is to be exercised.
Priority for assistance shall be based on a county's or city's population growth rates, commercial and industrial development rates, the existence and quality of a comprehensive plan and development regulations, the presence of overburdened communities, and other relevant factors.
Priority for assistance shall be based on a county's or city's population growth rates, commercial and industrial development rates, the existence and quality of a comprehensive plan and development regulations, the p.
11 SB 5613 presence of overburdened communities, and other relevant factors.
and p.
and (b) Adopting by rule procedural criteria to assist counties and cities in adopting comprehensive plans and development regulations that meet the goals and requirements of this chapter.
12 SSB 5613 (b) Adopting by rule procedural criteria to assist counties and cities in adopting comprehensive plans and development regulations that meet the goals and requirements of this chapter.
(a) A federally recognized Indian tribe may request the department to provide facilitation services to resolve issues of concern with a proposed comprehensive plan and its development regulations, or any amendment to the comprehensive plan and its development regulations.
(a) A federally recognized Indian tribe may request the department to provide facilitation services to resolve issues of concern with a proposed comprehensive plan and its development p.
12 SB 5613 regulations, or any amendment to the comprehensive plan and its development regulations.
(d) At the end of the 60-day period, unless by agreement there is an extension of the 60-day period, the city or county may proceed with adoption of the proposed comprehensive plan and development p.
(d) At the end of the 60-day period, unless by agreement there is an extension of the 60-day period, the city or county may proceed with adoption of the proposed comprehensive plan and development regulations.
13 SSB 5613 regulations.
(a) The model element must establish minimum requirements, and may include model options or voluntary cross-jurisdictional strategies, or both, for fulfilling the requirements of RCW 36.70A.070(9);
p.
13 SB 5613 (a) The model element must establish minimum requirements, and may include model options or voluntary cross-jurisdictional strategies, or both, for fulfilling the requirements of RCW 36.70A.070(9);
(9)(a) The department must develop and publish a model code that meets the requirements of section 2 of this act.
(9) The department must develop and adopt by rule clear and objective standards, conditions, and procedures, and a model code that meets the requirements of section 2 of this act.
The clear and objective standards in the model code should focus on development regulations and processes, give applicants predictability, and p.
The clear and objective standards, conditions, and procedures should focus on development regulations and processes, give applicants predictability, and provide uniformity across jurisdictions.
14 SSB 5613 encourage uniformity across jurisdictions.
The model code developed under this subsection is not required to include critical areas regulations.
(b) Within 90 days of the publication of the model code, a city or county planning under this chapter may bring a petition under RCW 36.70A.280 alleging that the model code adopted under this subsection does not comply with section 2 of this act or the requirements of this chapter.
Nothing in this subsection authorizes the board to hear petitions alleging noncompliance based on a city or county's actions taken to implement the requirements of RCW 36.70A.680 and 36.70A.681 within an urban growth area;
Nothing in this subsection authorizes the board to hear petitions alleging noncompliance based on a city or county's p.
14 SB 5613 actions taken to implement the requirements of RCW 36.70A.680 and 36.70A.681 within an urban growth area;
((or)) p.
((or)) (g) That the department's final decision to approve or reject actions by a city implementing RCW 36.70A.635 is clearly erroneous;
15 SSB 5613 (g) That the department's final decision to approve or reject actions by a city implementing RCW 36.70A.635 is clearly erroneous;
(h) That a clear and objective model ordinance developed by the department under RCW 36.70A.190(9) and adopted by a county or city is not in compliance with the goals and requirements of this chapter.
(h) That a clear and objective standard adopted by a city or county under section 2(6)(a) of this act is not consistent with the requirements of section 2 of this act;
In reaching its determination, the board shall give substantial weight to the department's expertise;
(i) That a clear and objective model ordinance adopted by a county or city pursuant to section 2(6)(b) of this act is not consistent with the department's clear and objective model code under RCW 36.70A.190(9).
or (i) That a clear and objective model ordinance adopted by a county or city pursuant to section 2 of this act is not consistent with the department's clear and objective model ordinance under RCW 36.70A.190(9).
In reaching its determination, the board shall give substantial weight to the department's expertise in its approval of a city or county's ordinance under section 2(6)(b) of this act;
or (j) Within 90 days of adoption by the department, that the model code adopted by the department under RCW 36.70A.190(9) does not comply with section 2 of this act or the requirements of this chapter.
(4) To establish participation standing under subsection (2)(b) of this section, a person must show that his or her participation before the county or city was reasonably related to the person's issue as presented to the board.
p.
15 SB 5613 (4) To establish participation standing under subsection (2)(b) of this section, a person must show that his or her participation before the county or city was reasonably related to the person's issue as presented to the board.
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 p.
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 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.
16 SSB 5613 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.
17 SSB 5613
16 SB 5613
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Action History

  1. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. On motion, referred to Ways & Means.

  2. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

  3. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.

  4. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  5. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  6. Minority; without recommendation.

  7. Minority; do not pass.

  8. APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) but without amendment(s) by Housing.

  9. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.

  10. Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.

  11. Referred to Appropriations.

  12. Minority; without recommendation.

  13. HOUS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

  14. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Housing at 4:00 PM.

  15. Public hearing in the House Committee on Housing at 8:00 AM.

  16. First reading, referred to Housing.

  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 43; nays, 5; absent, 0; excused, 1.

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  19. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

  20. 2nd substitute bill substituted (WM 25).

  21. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  22. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  23. WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  24. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

  25. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

  26. Referred to Ways & Means.

  27. And refer to Ways & Means.

  28. HSG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  29. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Housing at 10:30 AM.

  30. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Housing at 10:30 AM.

  31. First reading, referred to Housing.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 147 not signed on · 5 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (3)

Not signed on (147)

147 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 147 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#23)

Passed 43 Yea · 5 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 26301
Republican 17200
Total 43501
% of votes cast 88%10%0%2%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Adrian Cortes Democrat Nay
Annette Cleveland Democrat Yea
Bill Ramos Democrat Yea
Bob Hasegawa Democrat Yea
Claire Wilson Democrat Yea
Claudia Kauffman Democrat Nay
Deborah Krishnadasan Democrat Yea
Derek Stanford Democrat Yea
Drew Hansen Democrat Yea
Emily Alvarado Democrat Yea
Jamie Pedersen Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Jesse Salomon Democrat Yea
Jessica Bateman Democrat Yea
John Lovick Democrat Yea
June Robinson Democrat Yea
Lisa Wellman Democrat Not Voting
Liz Lovelett Democrat Yea
Manka Dhingra Democrat Yea
Marcus Riccelli Democrat Yea
Marko Liias Democrat Yea
Mike Chapman Democrat Yea
Noel Frame Democrat Yea
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Yea
Sharon Shewmake Democrat Yea
Steve Conway Democrat Yea
T'wina Nobles Democrat Yea
Tina Orwall Democrat Yea
Vandana Slatter Democrat Nay
Yasmin Trudeau Democrat Yea
Chris Gildon Republican Yea
Curtis King Republican Yea
Drew MacEwen Republican Yea
Jeff Holy Republican Yea
Jeff Wilson Republican Yea
Jim McCune Republican Yea
John Braun Republican Yea
Judy Warnick Republican Yea
Keith Goehner Republican Yea
Keith Wagoner Republican Nay
Leonard Christian Republican Nay
Mark Schoesler Republican Yea
Matt Boehnke Republican Yea
Nikki Torres Republican Yea
Paul Harris Republican Yea
Perry Dozier Republican Yea
Phil Fortunato Republican Yea
Ron Muzzall Republican Yea
Shelly Short Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety housing
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 5613?
SB 5613 is sponsored by T'wina Nobles (Democrat), Marko Liias (Democrat), Yasmin Trudeau (Democrat), and Jesse Salomon (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 5613?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 31, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
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