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WashingtonHB 17572025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Modifying regulations for existing buildings used for residential purposes.

Sponsored By: Amy Walen (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Faster permits and fewer design hurdles

Cities cannot add extra permits, like a change‑of‑use permit, beyond what all housing in the zone needs. Emergency or transitional housing can still have extra permit steps. Cities cannot add new design rules (setbacks, lot coverage, FAR) or most exterior design demands, unless needed for health and safety, to protect key streetscapes, or for landmarks and local historic districts. Cities cannot ban new units in parts of a building, except ground‑floor shops on a major pedestrian corridor. They also cannot deny permits over old nonconformities like parking, height, or setbacks unless they write findings showing real harm to the area.

More units allowed without new parking

If your building is in a multifamily zone and new units fit inside the current shell, cities cannot block up to 50% more units than the zone normally allows. You must still meet health and safety rules. Cities cannot make you add new parking for those units, though they can require you to keep parking already required or serving shops that stay. Cities also cannot require a transportation concurrency study or a state environmental study just because you add units inside an existing building.

Which buildings qualify as existing

A building counts as an existing building if it got its certificate of occupancy at least three years before you apply to add units. Check the certificate date to confirm you qualify for the conversion rules.

State rules override city limits by 2026

Cities must adopt the state’s conversion rules by June 30, 2026 for buildings in commercial, mixed‑use, or residential zones. If a city misses the deadline, the state rules apply there and override any conflicting local rules. This creates one clear set of standards across Washington.

Energy code rules for conversions

Changed parts of new units must meet the current energy code. You can skip that rule if the new unit space is 2,500 square feet or less, or no more than 50% of the whole building (whichever is bigger). You can also skip it with city‑accepted proof that projected energy use meets the state clean‑buildings target, or when you add one unit inside an existing home in a residential zone. Unchanged areas that were already housing or permitted conditioned space do not have to be brought up to the current energy code just because you add units.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Amy Walen

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alex Ramel

    Democratic • House

  • Dave Paul

    Democratic • House

  • Joe Fitzgibbon

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 237 • No: 4

House vote • 4/18/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 94 • No: 1 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 48 • No: 1

House vote • 3/5/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 95 • No: 2 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/7/2025House

  2. Chapter 203, 2025 Laws.

    5/7/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    5/7/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/24/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/23/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 94; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    4/18/2025House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    4/18/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/2/2025House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/2/2025House

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    4/2/2025House

  12. Placed on second reading consent calendar.

    3/26/2025House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/24/2025House

  14. HSG - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    3/21/2025House

  15. First reading, referred to Housing.

    3/7/2025House

  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/5/2025House

  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2025House

  18. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    3/4/2025House

  19. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/17/2025House

  20. HOUS - Majority; do pass.

    2/13/2025House

  21. HOUS - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/13/2025House

  22. First reading, referred to Housing.

    1/31/2025House

  23. Introduced

    1/31/2025House

Bill Text

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