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WashingtonSB 55592025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Streamlining the subdivision process inside urban growth areas.

Sponsored By: Liz Lovelett (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New ownership rules for unit-lot buyers

Beginning July 27, 2025, residential projects can create individual unit lots based on standards met by the original parent property. Those standards apply when the application gains legal protection under existing rules, not when it is approved. Individual unit lots can fall short of some standards. Buyers must receive notice of the subdivision’s legal status by June 30, 2026. Land left outside individual unit lots must belong jointly to the lot owners or to their homeowners’ association.

Simpler housing reviews, fewer public hearings

Cities and towns in counties planning under Washington’s Growth Management Act must adopt clear, objective rules for unit lot subdivisions. Counties no longer must include these procedures in their short plat rules. Local rules cannot require public predecision meetings, hearings, or nonadministrative design review unless state law requires them. Cities must notify the community and property owners within 250 feet about submitting written comments. Recorded subdivision maps must prominently explain the approved project, its approval number, and limits on later subdivision, rebuilding, and development. Reviews must meet state time limits unless the applicant and city agree to an extension. Cities with a required 2027 comprehensive plan update must adopt the rules in that update; other covered cities have until July 27, 2027. After the applicable deadline, cities cannot reject, refuse to process, or deny applications solely because local procedures are missing.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Liz Lovelett

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

  • Yasmin Trudeau

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 191 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/21/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 48 • No: 0

House vote • 4/10/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 95 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 2/28/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/13/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 271, 2025 Laws.

    5/13/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/13/2025legislature

  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, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    4/10/2025Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/10/2025Senate

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

    4/10/2025Senate

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

    4/10/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    4/8/2025Senate

  14. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    4/5/2025Senate

  15. APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) but without amendment(s) by Local Government.

    4/5/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Appropriations.

    3/27/2025Senate

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

    3/21/2025Senate

  18. LG - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/21/2025Senate

  19. First reading, referred to Local Government.

    3/4/2025Senate

  20. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    2/28/2025Senate

  21. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/28/2025Senate

  22. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/28/2025Senate

  23. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/19/2025Senate

  24. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/14/2025Senate

  25. LGV - Majority; do pass.

    2/13/2025Senate

Bill Text

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