The proposed bill aims to reform minimum parking requirements across various jurisdictions in Washington State, including cities and counties. It establishes that no city or county can require more than 0.5 parking spaces per residential dwelling unit and one parking space per 1,000 square feet of commercial space. Additionally, it eliminates minimum parking requirements for specific categories, such as existing buildings undergoing change of use, affordable housing, senior housing, and commercial spaces in mixed-use projects, among others. The bill also clarifies that these provisions do not apply to accessible parking spaces as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act and excludes areas within a one-mile radius of major commercial airports.

Furthermore, the bill repeals RCW 36.70A.620, which previously governed minimum residential parking requirements, thereby modernizing the approach to parking regulations. The overarching goal of this legislation is to reduce development costs, promote alternative transportation methods, and mitigate the environmental impacts associated with excessive automobile use. The act is officially titled the "Parking Reform and Modernization Act."

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 36.70A.620
Substitute Bill: 36.70A.040M