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WashingtonHB 22692025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning middle housing in unincorporated areas.

Sponsored By: Adam Bernbaum (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Counties can allow up to four homes per lot

The law lets planning counties adopt ordinances to allow middle housing on lots that now allow single-family homes in urban growth areas and in certain rural development areas. No more than four homes per lot can be authorized. Counties must apply the same development rules used for single-family homes, and only objective rules like setbacks, lot coverage, stormwater, clearing, and tree canopy/retention may apply. Permitting and environmental review must match single-family processes unless state law says otherwise, including shoreline, building, energy, and electrical codes.

Water and sewer needed for middle housing

Middle housing inside an urban growth area must have water and sewer service. In rural counties’ designated rural development areas, it must have a public sewer or a large on-site sewage system. In nonrural counties’ rural development areas, it must have a public sewer. The law uses existing state definitions for “rural county” and “large on-site sewage system.”

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Adam Bernbaum

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Engell

    Republican • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Mari Leavitt

    Democratic • House

  • Mia Gregerson

    Democratic • House

  • Strom Peterson

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 144 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/26/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/10/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/9/2026House

  2. Chapter 12, 2026 Laws.

    3/9/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/9/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/3/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    2/28/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    2/28/2026legislature

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

    2/26/2026House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/26/2026House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/24/2026House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/23/2026House

  11. HSG - Majority; do pass.

    2/20/2026House

  12. First reading, referred to Housing.

    2/12/2026House

  13. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    2/10/2026House

  14. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/10/2026House

  15. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/10/2026House

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

    2/6/2026House

  17. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    1/27/2026House

  18. HOUS - Executive action taken by committee.

    1/22/2026House

  19. HOUS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    1/22/2026House

  20. First reading, referred to Housing.

    1/12/2026House

  21. Prefiled for introduction.

    1/6/2026House

Bill Text

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