WashingtonHB 13532025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Establishing a self-certification program for accessory dwelling unit project permit applications.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Less permit review for homeowners’ backyard units

Beginning July 27, 2025, Washington cities planning under the Growth Management Act can offer an optional permit self-certification program. It covers construction or development of one or more detached accessory dwelling units on residential property. After finding an application complete, the city can accept a registered architect’s building-code certification without further building-code review. The permit has the same legal effect as one issued after full review, but no specific savings are guaranteed. Covered codes include state building and energy codes and local building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and fire codes—not utility connection requirements. The law leaves existing self-certification and similar programs valid.

Homeowners must pay for code corrections

Beginning July 27, 2025, participating cities must create a form for self-certified permit applications. Owners must authorize the architect’s submission and agree to fix discovered code problems at their expense within a reasonable time. The owner, builder, and architect must agree to defend and protect the city against claims involving design, construction, or permit issuance. Architects must agree to correct false or inaccurate statements when discovered. They must also acknowledge that participation depends on accurate certification and audit findings can lead to suspension or removal.

Audits and penalties for backyard-unit architects

Beginning July 27, 2025, participating cities must set architect qualifications beyond registration and require professional liability insurance. Each calendar year, random audits must cover at least 20% of applications or five applications, whichever is fewer. Cities choose the random selection method and can conduct additional targeted audits or adopt stricter rules. Failed audits trigger financial penalties and an architect’s program ban lasting at least one year. A second failed audit within five years triggers a permanent ban; cities must provide administrative hearings on findings and penalties. Cities must report penalties to the Department of Commerce, which must maintain a database accessible to cities. No city can accept self-certified applications from an architect currently penalized in another city. By July 31, 2028, cities must report project submission counts, permit issuance counts, audit results, and average permit times for self-certified versus other detached-unit applications. Those averages exclude time awaiting information or pending appeals. By December 31, 2028, Commerce must report the permit-time comparisons and audit results to the appropriate legislative committees.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Alex Ramel
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Beth Doglio
Democratic • House
Davina Duerr
Democratic • House
Greg Nance
Democratic • House
Julia Reed
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 143 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/26/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2025