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WashingtonSB 51842025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Concerning minimum parking requirements.

Sponsored By: Jessica Bateman (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Lower parking requirements for new development

The law takes effect July 27, 2025, and limits the off-street parking Washington cities and counties can require. The general caps are 0.5 space per multifamily home, one per single-family home, and two per 1,000 square feet of commercial floor area. These caps limit required parking, not how much parking developers can provide. Local governments cannot require parking for homes under 1,200 square feet or commercial spaces under 3,000 square feet. They also cannot require parking for affordable housing, senior housing, or child care centers licensed or certified by the state. The same protection covers ground-floor nonresidential spaces in mixed-use buildings and conversions from nonresidential to residential use or between commercial uses. Permanently marked disability parking that meets federal accessibility rules remains outside the limits. Local governments can still require extra parking for religious organizations and carpools, or temporary and time-restricted parking. Counties can require parking where their roads do not meet standards adopted by cities within the county. The requirements do not apply within one mile of a Washington commercial airport with at least 9 million yearly passenger boardings. A safety exemption requires an expert's study showing significantly lower safety under the limits, certified by the Department of Commerce. Cities can seek a safety variance based on objective standards confirmed by a building official, fire marshal, or designee. Counties have a similar variance path for additional disability parking. City rules, including those for code cities, do not apply where populations are 30,000 or less. The law gives cities and counties with 30,000–50,000 people three years after the effective date to comply; those with 50,000 or more have 18 months. Population thresholds use state Office of Financial Management estimates. Cities and code cities can ask Commerce to recognize substantially similar policies in place as of July 2025. Commerce considers parking minimums, actual average parking levels, and equivalent rules for affordable housing, seniors, people with disabilities, and child care. The law also repeals a separate state statute on minimum residential parking requirements.

Accessible parking rules get a review

The Washington State Building Code Council must study accessible parking requirements. It must update the state building code if it finds changes are needed. Any updates must reflect current research on disability rates among drivers. The law sets no deadline or specific change in required spaces.

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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