Bill > SB5820

This bill amends existing state law to require certain counties to include a "freight rail dependent use overlay" as part of the transportation element of their comprehensive plans, which are long-term planning documents for land use and development. Specifically, it removes a previous provision that allowed only very specific, large counties west of the Cascade mountains bordering another state to consider freight rail dependent uses in their transportation plans and development regulations. Instead, the bill allows any county that borders both the Cascade mountains and another country, and has a population of less than fifty thousand people, along with any cities within such a county, to adopt regulations for freight rail dependent uses on lands adjacent to short line railroads. This change broadens the scope of counties that can plan for and permit development related to freight rail infrastructure and operations.

Government Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5820&Year=2025&Initiative=false