The bill addresses Washington's housing shortage by promoting the development of middle housing in areas traditionally designated for single-family homes. It aims to create diverse and affordable housing options to meet the state's goal of building 1,000,000 homes by 2044. Key provisions include lifting restrictions on modest home developments near job centers and transit, increasing housing density, and implementing antidisplacement policies to protect vulnerable communities. The bill introduces new definitions for housing types, such as "middle housing," and clarifies terms like "administrative design review" and "community amenity" to streamline the development process.

Significant changes to housing regulations are mandated for cities planning under RCW 36.70A.040, requiring those with populations between 25,000 and 75,000 to allow at least two residential units per lot, while cities over 75,000 must permit at least four units per lot. For cities within urban growth areas with populations exceeding 200,000, the requirement is six units per lot. The bill emphasizes affordable housing by mandating a percentage of these units be designated as affordable for a minimum of 50 years. It also prohibits cities from imposing more restrictive standards on middle housing than those for single-family residences and includes provisions for technical assistance and model ordinances to aid in implementation.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 36.70A.030, 36.70A.290, 43.21C.495
Substitute Bill: 36.70A.030, 36.70A.280, 43.21C.495