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WashingtonSB 51842025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Concerning minimum parking requirements.

Sponsored By: Jessica Bateman (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Lower parking minimums in cities

Cities and code cities must follow new statewide caps. They cannot require more than 0.5 spaces per multifamily unit or more than 1 space per single‑family home. For commercial space, they cannot require more than 2 spaces per 1,000 square feet. No minimum parking is allowed for homes under 1,200 sq ft or commercial spaces under 3,000 sq ft. Affordable housing, senior housing, licensed child care, ground‑floor nonresidential in mixed‑use buildings, and qualifying changes of use are also exempt.

Exceptions for small cities and airports

The caps do not apply in cities or code cities with 30,000 or fewer people. The caps also do not apply within one mile of a Washington commercial airport with at least 9,000,000 yearly enplanements. Any city or county with a Department of Commerce‑certified safety study can keep higher local rules. These carve‑outs can raise parking requirements but aim to address proven safety risks and airport impacts.

Lower parking minimums in counties

Counties cannot set minimums above the new limits. They cannot require more than 0.5 spaces per multifamily unit or more than 1 space per single‑family home. For commercial space, they cannot require more than 2 spaces per 1,000 square feet. Counties also cannot require minimum parking for homes under 1,200 sq ft, commercial spaces under 3,000 sq ft, affordable and senior housing, licensed child care, ground‑floor nonresidential in mixed‑use buildings, or qualifying changes of use.

More focus on accessible parking

Counties can seek a variance to require more spaces that are permanently marked for people with disabilities than ADA minimums. The request must use objective standards tied to population, location, or safety, and Commerce reviews it. The State Building Code Council also studies and may update statewide rules for accessible parking to match current disability and driving data.

Old parking minimum law repealed

The state’s prior minimum residential parking rule is repealed. Cities and counties now follow this law’s caps, exemptions, and processes instead. This clears the way for the new framework to govern local parking rules.

Extra or temporary parking allowed

Cities, code cities, and counties can still require more parking for religious organizations and for carpools. They can also require temporary or time‑limited parking. Design reviews are encouraged to consider drop‑off areas, waiting space, and accessibility. These rules can add spaces for special uses while keeping long‑term minimums capped.

Deadlines to adopt new parking rules

Beginning July 27, 2025, the clock starts for local adoption. Cities and code cities with 50,000 or more people must adopt the rules within 18 months. Cities and code cities with 30,000–50,000 people have three years. Counties follow the same 18‑month and three‑year timelines by population. Smaller cities (30,000 or less) are not bound by the caps.

Local compliance checks and safety variances

Cities, code cities, and counties can ask the Department of Commerce to certify that their July 2025 parking rules are “substantially similar” to this law. Cities and code cities can also request a variance when a building official or fire marshal confirms a hazard to life, health, or safety. These variances may include extra permanently marked accessible parking where objective standards show a need. This process lets locals keep similar rules or add parking for safety in specific cases.

Off-street parking where roads are undeveloped

A county may require off‑street parking when nearby county roads are not built to the street and road standards that cities in that county use. This targets areas where on‑street parking or drop‑off would be unsafe or impractical. It can raise project costs but supports safety and traffic flow in under‑built areas.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jessica Bateman

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Deborah Krishnadasan

    Democratic • Senate

  • Derek Stanford

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jamie Pedersen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jesse Salomon

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marko Liias

    Democratic • Senate

  • Noel Frame

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sharon Shewmake

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

  • Yasmin Trudeau

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 140 • No: 52

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 36 • No: 13

House vote • 4/11/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 64 • No: 31 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 2/19/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 40 • No: 8 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/7/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 204, 2025 Laws.

    5/7/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/7/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/23/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/19/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 36; nays, 13; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/17/2025Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    4/17/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 64; nays, 31; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    4/11/2025Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/11/2025Senate

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

    4/11/2025Senate

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

    4/8/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    3/26/2025Senate

  14. LG - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/21/2025Senate

  15. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/21/2025Senate

  16. LG - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    3/21/2025Senate

  17. First reading, referred to Local Government.

    2/24/2025Senate

  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 40; nays, 8; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    2/19/2025Senate

  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/19/2025Senate

  20. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/19/2025Senate

  21. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/19/2025Senate

  22. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/12/2025Senate

  23. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/7/2025Senate

  24. HSG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/5/2025Senate

  25. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/5/2025Senate

Bill Text

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