Bill > HB1010

This bill addresses Washington state's housing crisis by creating new opportunities for affordable housing through accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in rural areas. The legislation allows counties to authorize detached ADUs on rural lots of any size, even if previously prohibited by local comprehensive plans, subject to specific development regulations. These regulations include requirements such as limiting each parcel to one ADU, ensuring water and septic system capacity, restricting the ADU's size to 1,296 square feet, and maintaining architectural consistency with the primary dwelling. The bill recognizes that ADUs can be quickly built, provide affordable housing options, and generate supplemental income for property owners. Importantly, population growth from these ADUs will not count towards rural or urban growth targets, which helps prevent these units from triggering additional infrastructure or zoning requirements. Counties that choose to allow these rural ADUs must update their comprehensive plans and planning policies at their next scheduled review to explicitly permit such development. The legislation is part of Washington's broader strategy to address its housing shortage, with the state estimating a need to produce 1.1 million new homes by 2044.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1010&Year=2025&Initiative=false