Bill > HB1160

This bill modifies Washington state laws related to local government design review and housing development, with a focus on making it easier to build middle housing and multifamily residential developments. The bill amends several existing statutes to clarify and streamline design review processes, particularly for housing developments. Key provisions include requiring cities to allow at least two to four units per residential lot (depending on the city's population), mandating that design review processes use only clear and objective standards, limiting the number of architectural drawings required for housing permit applications, and restricting parking requirements for middle housing near major transit stops. The bill defines "middle housing" as residential buildings compatible with single-family homes that contain two or more attached, stacked, or clustered homes, such as duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, and cottage housing. It also requires cities to apply the same development permit and environmental review processes to middle housing as they do to single-family residences, with some exceptions for specific types of regulations. The changes are intended to increase housing density and affordability by making it easier to develop smaller residential units in areas traditionally zoned for single-family homes.

Government Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1160&Year=2025&Initiative=false