Bill > HB1299

This bill aims to reform minimum parking requirements across Washington state by significantly reducing the number of required parking spaces for various types of residential and commercial developments. The legislation limits cities, code cities, and counties from mandating more than 0.5 parking spaces per residential dwelling unit and one parking space per 1,000 square feet of commercial space. Additionally, the bill completely eliminates minimum parking requirements for several specific types of properties, including existing buildings changing use, small residences under 1,200 square feet, small commercial spaces under 5,000 square feet, affordable housing, senior housing, housing for people with disabilities, facilities serving alcohol, child care facilities, and commercial spaces in mixed-use projects. The bill's legislative findings argue that predetermined parking requirements increase development costs, discourage walking and transit use, and promote excessive automobile dependency. For cities with populations over 10,000 in counties with high population density, the law prohibits requiring off-street parking for multifamily, middle housing, and accessory dwelling units located within half a mile of transit service that runs at least four times per hour for 12 or more hours daily. The legislation is officially named the "parking reform and modernization act" and is designed to provide more flexibility in parking requirements and support more sustainable urban development.

Government Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1299&Year=2025&Initiative=false