Bill > SB5471

This bill authorizes counties planning under the Growth Management Act to allow middle housing (such as duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes) in two specific types of areas: limited areas of more intensive rural development and designated urban growth areas. For both area types, counties may permit up to four residential units per lot, and must apply development regulations to middle housing that are no more restrictive than those for single-family homes. The bill requires that middle housing in rural areas be served by existing sewer service, and middle housing in urban growth areas be served by both water and sewer services. Counties must apply the same development permit and environmental review processes to middle housing as they do to single-family residences, with exceptions for specific state regulations like shoreline, building, energy, and electrical codes. The bill also prevents administrative or judicial appeals of county ordinances and development regulations implementing these middle housing provisions, effectively streamlining the process for increasing housing density in these designated areas. This legislation is part of a broader effort to address housing availability and affordability by allowing more diverse housing types in areas currently zoned primarily for single-family homes.