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WashingtonHB 22662025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Encouraging permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, and indoor emergency shelters.

Sponsored By: Strom Peterson (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Cities must allow supportive and emergency housing

The law requires cities and counties to allow transitional housing and permanent supportive housing anywhere homes or hotels are allowed inside urban growth areas. It also allows indoor emergency shelters and indoor emergency housing anywhere hotels are allowed. Jurisdictions cannot force these uses only into industrial zones. They cannot cap capacity below the need set in their housing plans, and must add more zones if needed to meet that need.

Same permits and standards as other housing

Local governments must use the same development standards, permits, and environmental review used for similar housing or lodging. Only administrative design review is allowed, based on objective rules like height, setbacks, and stormwater. State codes such as building, energy, shoreline, and electrical still apply.

State rules override local bans and deadlines

State law overrides any local rules that conflict with these housing requirements. Cities and counties must add the law’s rules into their codes within two years or by their next plan update, whichever comes first. Facilities already operating on the law’s effective date stay legal. The law also clarifies key terms for emergency housing, shelters, permanent supportive housing, and transitional housing.

Negotiations for sites near schools or shelters

If a new indoor shelter or indoor emergency housing is within 500 feet walking distance of another shelter or a school, the city or county and sponsor must try to agree on added health and safety steps. If they cannot agree within 180 days of permit submission, the permit may be denied, and the city must help the sponsor find other sites. This rule does not apply to facilities for minors, families, or domestic violence victims. It cannot be used to cut the capacity needed in local housing plans.

Parity and incentives for affordable housing

Affordable housing projects must be treated the same as other housing; cities and counties cannot add extra rules just for them. Local governments may give fee reductions or waivers and relax rules like parking or setbacks to cut costs. When a project takes local money, land, tax breaks, or incentives, the city or county can require income checks, coordinated entry, reporting, and monitoring.

No siting in critical or resource lands

Cities and counties do not have to approve shelters or supportive housing in protected critical areas where housing is not allowed, in natural hazard areas that ban housing, or on long‑term farm, forest, or mineral lands. These environmental and resource protections remain in place.

Optional city contracts for shelter operations

A city or county may sign a contract with a sponsor to set added, reasonable health and safety rules for shelters or supportive housing. The city must give real value in return, such as donating land, a lease of at least 50 years, or a significant general‑fund contribution. If the city pulls that support, those contract rules end. Sponsors do not have to accept a contract.

Shelter sponsors must certify and notify neighbors

Before opening, indoor shelters or indoor emergency housing must give a single written certification after permit approval. It must include facility and manager info, program descriptions and licenses, notice to residents within 500 feet, more than one community meeting, an emergency contact, and key operating policies. That one certification counts as full compliance; the city or county cannot demand extra certifications.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Strom Peterson

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alex Ramel

    Democratic • House

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

  • Brianna Thomas

    Democratic • House

  • Chipalo Street

    Democratic • House

  • Cindy Ryu

    Democratic • House

  • Darya Farivar

    Democratic • House

  • Edwin Obras

    Democratic • House

  • Gerry Pollet

    Democratic • House

  • Jamila Taylor

    Democratic • House

  • Joe Fitzgibbon

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Kristine Reeves

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Fosse

    Democratic • House

  • Mia Gregerson

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole Macri

    Democratic • House

  • Osman Salahuddin

    Democratic • House

  • Roger Goodman

    Democratic • House

  • Sharlett Mena

    Democratic • House

  • Sharon Wylie

    Democratic • House

  • Shaun Scott

    Democratic • House

  • Steve Bergquist

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 141 • No: 99

House vote • 3/9/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 56 • No: 39 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 29 • No: 20

House vote • 2/16/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 56 • No: 40 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/27/2026House

  2. Chapter 232, 2026 Laws.

    3/27/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/27/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  6. President signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 56; nays, 39; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    3/9/2026House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    3/9/2026House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 29; nays, 20; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/4/2026House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/4/2026House

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

    3/4/2026House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/27/2026House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/25/2026House

  14. Minority; do not pass.

    2/25/2026House

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

    2/25/2026House

  16. First reading, referred to Housing.

    2/19/2026House

  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 56; nays, 40; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    2/16/2026House

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/16/2026House

  19. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/16/2026House

  20. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/16/2026House

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

    2/12/2026House

  22. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/9/2026House

  23. Minority; do not pass.

    2/9/2026House

  24. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/9/2026House

  25. APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Housing.

    2/9/2026House

Bill Text

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