The bill aims to increase housing options in Washington by allowing existing residential lots to be split into two separate lots, thereby providing homeowners with more flexibility and offering prospective buyers more affordable housing opportunities. The legislature recognizes that lot splitting can help maintain homeownership during changing life circumstances and create additional opportunities for affordable housing providers. To facilitate this, the bill mandates that cities planning under the Growth Management Act (chapter 36.70A RCW) adopt or amend their regulations to incorporate these new lot splitting provisions.

Specifically, the bill prohibits cities from banning the splitting of residential lots under certain conditions, such as ensuring the resulting lots are at least 2,000 square feet and 40% of the original lot size, and that the original lot was not previously split. Additionally, it restricts cities from imposing excessive regulations on the resulting lots, such as limiting off-street parking requirements and easement widths. The bill also clarifies that any construction on the newly created lots must comply with existing state and local laws, except for the specific provisions outlined in the bill.