WashingtonHB 22662025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

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

Sponsored By: Strom Peterson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Fairer permits for housing and shelters

Beginning June 11, 2026, covered local governments cannot impose tougher development or operating standards on the four covered housing types. Standards, permits, environmental review, and approval processes must generally match those for other housing or lodging in the same zone. Equal, objective rules for density, height, setbacks, trees, stormwater, and building form can still apply. Design review must be handled by planning staff using objective standards, without a public hearing before the decision. State and federal requirements, shoreline and building codes, and certain historic or landmark reviews remain; hearings can address variances.

More places for housing and shelters

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington cities and counties covered by the Growth Management Act must allow more housing sites within urban growth areas. Transitional and permanent supportive housing must be allowed wherever homes or hotels are allowed. Indoor emergency housing and shelters must be allowed in hotel zones, plus extra zones needed to meet projected needs; capacity cannot fall below those needs. Local governments cannot require industrial-zone locations, but protected critical areas, hazardous areas that prohibit lodging, and designated resource lands remain excluded. These rules override conflicting local rules immediately; local codes must change by June 11, 2028, or the next comprehensive plan update, whichever comes first, and projects operating on June 11, 2026, cannot be declared unlawful solely under these new rules.

Affordable housing gets help with conditions

Washington local governments cannot impose different requirements on affordable housing than on housing generally, but can offer lower fees and other cost-saving incentives. Incentives can serve people experiencing homelessness, farmworkers, people with disabilities, seniors, low-income households, and other groups. Affordable housing costs, including utilities except telephone, cannot exceed 30% of monthly income for households earning 60% of county median income for rentals or 80% for ownership; HUD figures adjust for household size. The law defines extremely low, very low, low, and moderate incomes as no more than 30%, 50%, 80%, and 120% of county median income, respectively. Public loans, grants, tax benefits, subsidies, public-property sales or leases, and development incentives can carry income checks, coordinated entry, reporting, and monitoring requirements.

Nearby shelters face safety talks

Beginning June 11, 2026, local governments can hold good-faith talks about extra reasonable safety rules for proposed indoor emergency housing or shelters. This applies within 500 feet walking distance of another covered facility or qualifying public or private school. The school must predate the facility's operation or permit application. If no agreement is reached within 180 days after permit submission, the government can deny the permit but must help identify suitable alternative sites. This process cannot reduce capacity below projected needs and does not apply to facilities designated for children under 18, families, or domestic violence victims.

Housing sponsors can trade support for safeguards

Washington cities and counties can voluntarily contract with sponsors of any of the four covered housing types for extra reasonable safety rules. In return, the locality must donate property, provide a land lease lasting at least 50 years, or make a significant general-fund contribution. Contributions cover capital or operating costs agreed on by both sides; no dollar amount is set. If the locality unilaterally withdraws or changes that support, the contract's extra operating requirements no longer apply. A sponsor's refusal of the offered terms cannot count as failing requirements from another funding source.

Shelter paperwork has clear limits

Beginning June 11, 2026, local governments can require one written certification from indoor emergency housing and shelter operators. It comes after permit approval and before the occupancy certificate, and identifies the managing entity, headquarters, facility, and other programs or licenses. It documents notice to residents within 500 feet, more than one community meeting, a contact person, and an emergency phone number. Operating policies cover health and safety, admissions, exits or transfers, complaints, health/fire/occupancy rules, and enough trained staff to serve residents. The certification fully satisfies these local certification requirements; governments cannot demand extra certifications or repeated or revised items, though voluntary updates are accepted.

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

Effective date 6/11/2026.
3/27/2026House
Chapter 232, 2026 Laws.
3/27/2026House
Governor signed.
3/27/2026legislature
Delivered to Governor.
3/12/2026legislature
Speaker signed.
3/11/2026legislature
President signed.
3/11/2026legislature
Passed final passage; yeas, 56; nays, 39; absent, 0; excused, 3.
3/9/2026House
House concurred in Senate amendments.
3/9/2026House
Third reading, passed; yeas, 29; nays, 20; absent, 0; excused, 0.
3/4/2026House
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
3/4/2026House
Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.
3/4/2026House
Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
2/27/2026House
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
2/25/2026House
Minority; do not pass.
2/25/2026House
HSG - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
2/25/2026House
First reading, referred to Housing.
2/19/2026House
Third reading, passed; yeas, 56; nays, 40; absent, 0; excused, 2.
2/16/2026House
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
2/16/2026House
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
2/16/2026House
1st substitute bill substituted.
2/16/2026House
Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
2/12/2026House
APP - Executive action taken by committee.
2/9/2026House
Minority; do not pass.
2/9/2026House
Minority; without recommendation.
2/9/2026House
APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Housing.
2/9/2026House

Bill Text

Session Law
4/1/2026
HTML PDF
Bill as Passed Legislature
3/11/2026
HTML PDF
Engrossed Substitute
2/17/2026
HTML PDF
Substitute Bill
2/4/2026
HTML PDF
Original Bill
1/12/2026
HTML PDF

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