This bill amends the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to establish new timelines for counties and cities to review and update their growth management comprehensive plans and development regulations. It sets specific deadlines for these updates, with the first range from June 30, 2015, to June 30, 2018, and mandates subsequent reviews every ten years. Smaller cities and towns with populations under 500 can opt out of full reviews, provided they update critical areas regulations and certain elements of their comprehensive plans. The bill also emphasizes public participation in the review process, requiring counties and cities to establish public participation programs and offering grants for compliance with the deadlines.

Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for design review processes, mandating that they be conducted concurrently with project permit reviews and limiting them to a single public meeting. It specifies that jurisdictions must adhere to these requirements during their next periodic comprehensive plan update. The bill also sets density requirements for residential development based on city population size, promoting affordable housing by requiring cities with populations of 25,000 to 75,000 to allow at least two units per lot, and those over 75,000 to allow at least four units per lot. It includes provisions for middle housing and emphasizes maintaining affordable housing commitments through recorded covenants, while outlining exemptions for certain areas.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 36.70A.130
Substitute Bill: 36.70A.130, 36.70A.630, 36.70A.210
Bill as Passed Legislature: 36.70A.130, 36.70A.630, 36.70A.210
Session Law: 36.70A.130, 36.70A.630, 36.70A.210