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WashingtonSB 54712025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Authorizing middle housing in unincorporated growth areas and unincorporated urban growth areas, certain limited areas of more intensive rural development, and fully contained communities.

Sponsored By: Keith Goehner (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More housing options for property owners

Beginning July 27, 2025, Washington counties planning under the Growth Management Act can choose to allow middle housing. This covers unincorporated lots allowing single-family homes in designated urban growth areas and designated limited areas of more intensive rural development. Counties cannot authorize more than four residential units per lot. Rural middle housing must use existing sewer service; urban middle housing must have water and sewer service. Counties cannot impose stricter standards than for detached single-family homes, but can apply the same objective rules, including setbacks and stormwater rules. The same permit and environmental review processes apply unless state law requires otherwise. Shoreline, building, energy, and electrical requirements still apply.

Fewer appeals against local housing rules

Beginning July 27, 2025, the law limits challenges to local actions implementing this middle-housing authorization. County ordinances, development rules, amendments, and other nonproject actions cannot face administrative or court appeals under Washington’s environmental review law. The Growth Management Hearings Board also cannot hear claims of noncompliance based on city or county implementation actions within urban growth areas. These limits concern local policy actions, not an exemption from environmental review for individual housing projects.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Keith Goehner

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Jessica Bateman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marko Liias

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Chapman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Noel Frame

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rebecca Saldaña

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 186 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/21/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 48 • No: 0

House vote • 4/12/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 90 • No: 4 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 2/19/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/20/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 386, 2025 Laws.

    5/20/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/20/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/24/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/23/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/21/2025Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    4/21/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 90; nays, 4; absent, 0; excused, 4.

    4/12/2025Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/12/2025Senate

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    4/12/2025Senate

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

    4/11/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    3/27/2025Senate

  14. HOUS - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/24/2025Senate

  15. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/24/2025Senate

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

    3/24/2025Senate

  17. First reading, referred to Housing.

    2/24/2025Senate

  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; 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. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/12/2025Senate

  22. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/10/2025Senate

  23. HSG - Majority; do pass.

    2/7/2025Senate

  24. First reading, referred to Housing.

    1/23/2025Senate

  25. Introduced

    1/23/2025Senate

Bill Text

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