Bill > HB1183

This bill aims to incentivize affordable and sustainable building practices by reforming building codes and development regulations across Washington state. The bill requires cities and counties to make several key changes to their zoning and development regulations, including: allowing building retrofits and new construction to extend exterior wall assemblies and roof heights by up to eight inches to accommodate insulation (particularly for passive house and residential projects); prohibiting cities from imposing certain parking requirements for specific types of residential projects like affordable housing, passive house, modular, and mass timber construction; preventing cities from requiring façade modulation or upper-level setbacks for certain residential project types; allowing solar energy panels to exceed maximum roof height limits by at least 48 inches; and establishing maximum size limits for affordable housing units (e.g., 400 square feet for studio units, 550 for one-bedroom units). The bill specifically applies to cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act and requires them to incorporate these new regulations within six months of their next comprehensive plan update. These changes are intended to reduce barriers to housing development, improve energy efficiency, and support more flexible and sustainable building practices.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1183&Year=2025&Initiative=false