Bill > HB1097

This bill clarifies the circumstances under which governmental services, specifically sewer services, can be extended beyond urban growth areas in Washington state. The legislation provides five specific scenarios where such service extensions are permissible: (1) when necessary to protect basic public health, safety, and the environment at rural densities without enabling urban development; (2) to connect a landfill or solid waste disposal facility to a wastewater treatment system; (3) to connect a property when an on-site sewage system is failing or at the end of its life; (4) to connect a property located within an estimated quarter-mile of an existing sewer system; and (5) to connect a property to an existing sewer system located in an adjacent street, road, highway, right-of-way, or sidewalk. The bill emphasizes that local authorities are best positioned to determine appropriate service extensions for their communities and that such extensions should be interpreted liberally as complying with growth management regulations. This approach aims to provide flexibility for local governments while maintaining the core principles of controlled urban growth and environmental protection.

Government Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1097&Year=2025&Initiative=false