RPAC Victories
RE Magazine, Autumn 2024
RPAC Victories
In 2023, Washington REALTORS® RPAC led the charge on the passage of unprecedented pro-housing legislation:
- A bill requiring urban jurisdictions state-wide to allow homeowners to build up to two accessory dwelling units on their property.
- A bill allowing duplexes and triplexes in single-family zones. This will go a long way to expanding housing inventory, especially the ‘Missing Middle.’
- Three separate bills improving the permitting process, including speeding up timelines and codifying what issues can and cannot ‘stop the clock.’
- A ‘Right to Cure’ bill, giving developers a chance to correct any building defects in a condominium before a consumer can sue.
- RPAC also effectively thwarted proposed increases in the Washington State Real Estate Excise Tax, ensuring housing costs remain as low as possible for homeowners and potential buyers.
Some of our more recent legislative successes:
- Insured that real estate was exempt from Capital Gains Tax.
- While other businesses were stalled on the sidelines, REALTORS® got back to work during the Covid-19 crisis in a way that was safe for you, and your clients.
- Decreased the Real Estate Excise Tax by 15% on all sales under $500,000- putting nearly $1,000 back in your seller’s pocket.
- Exempted REALTORS® from a 20% increase in the B&O Tax you pay— putting $250-$500 back in the pocket of our members each year.
- Protected your Independent Contractor Status.
- Beat back a bill that would have required any in house transactions to involve attorneys for both the seller and the buyer.
- Reformed condo liability laws so that more affordable condominiums can be built.
- Passed a bill that encourages cities to allow responsible density—such as accessory dwelling units, duplexes and triplexes in single family zones and more.
If you haven’t already, please scan the QR Code and become an RPAC Investor today! Your investment makes a big difference for the real estate industry and our community. With your help Washington REALTORS® will continue to lead the way!
Learn About Our Efforts Online.
COMING SOON…
REALTORS + Housing Resources for Members
During 2025, local governments (cities and counties) in King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap Counties will have their statutory deadlines to adopt new local ordinances to allow Middle Housing types and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
In 2023, when the Legislature passed HB 1110 regarding Middle Housing and HB 1337 on ADUs, the laws created a schedule under which cities and counties must implement these new housing supply requirements. For cities and counties in King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap Counties, this deadline is by June 30, 2025.
Because of the number of new local housing ordinances in a number of cities, REALTORS® will be launching a new REALTORS + Housing website to enable members to see and understand what cities in their area have implemented on these new housing supply bills. This will assist both REALTORS® and their clients in understanding what type of housing can be developed or redeveloped to allow more Middle Housing and ADUs.
The website will be developed along with the Seattle-King County Association of REALTORS®, and then expanded to include all local associations. Other parts of Washington State will have Middle Housing and ADU deadlines in 2026 and 2027 and so the REALTORS + Housing site will ultimately be built out as a statewide resource to understand new housing supply laws.
UPDATE!
The website is live — please visit: realtorsplushousing.com.