Bill > SB6026

This bill aims to increase housing availability by prohibiting cities and counties that plan under RCW 36.70A.040 and meet certain population or rurality criteria from excluding residential uses in areas zoned for commercial or mixed-use development, with several exceptions for areas like industrial zones, near refineries, historic landmarks, outside urban growth areas, or within critical area buffers. Additionally, for areas subject to these new rules, cities and counties generally cannot require mixed-use or ground-floor commercial/retail as a condition for permitting residential development in more than 40% of their commercial or mixed-use zoned land, though this restriction does not apply to publicly subsidized affordable housing projects, and there are specific exclusions for certain types of areas like station areas or those with significant height allowances. The bill also establishes an administrative process for applicants to request waivers or reductions from ground-floor commercial/retail requirements, and it provides a timeline for local governments to comply with these new regulations, superseding any conflicting local rules after 18 months.