REALTORS® + Housing Program Expanding in 2026
After the passage of numerous housing supply bills in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Session, Washington REALTORS® partnered with the Seattle-King County Association of REALTORS® to create the REALTORS® + Housing program.
By Bill Clarke, Washington REALTORS® Director of Public Policy
This effort includes a number of different resources for members to understand recent housing supply and land use laws, how they are being implemented within the cities they work in, and identify opportunities for their projects and clients because of the new laws.
In 2026, a new 3.0 clock hour for REALTORS® is being offered to understand these laws and assess the feasibility of new housing at the local level.
The REALTORS® + Housing website is now live and includes city-by-city details on state legislation recently passed, and now being implemented by cities across the state. The priority bills included on the website include HB 1110, which requires Middle Housing types to be allowed in certain cities; HB 1337, which requires cities to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs); and HB 1096, which requires cities to allow a simplified lot splitting process to enable construction of Middle Housing and ADUs.
While these housing supply laws were adopted at the state level, they must be implemented at the local level by cities according to the schedule in the Growth Management Act for updates to GMA Comprehensive Plans. This map shows each county, and the color indicates the deadline by which cities within that county must adopt its major 10-year GMA Comprehensive Plan update. The Middle Housing and ADU laws must be implemented through local ordinances within 6 months of the GMA Comprehensive Plan date, or else a model ordinance adopted at the state level takes effect at the local level.
Thus far, the REALTORS® + Housing website has been developed to include city-by-city links for Middle Housing and ADU ordinances for cities in King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties. These counties (and the cities within those counties) had a 2024 GMA Comp Plan deadline, and so should be adopting housing ordinances in 2025. During 2026, the website will be expanded to include counties and cities with the 2025 deadline, which include Clark, Lewis, Thurston, Skagit, Island, and San Juan. The website also includes a number of educational and guidance documents that explain many of the major housing supply laws passed between 2023 and 2025.
New Housing Supply Clock Hour Class Available
The REALTORS® + Housing program has been developed with consulting firm Kimley-Horn, which has significant experience doing land use and housing planning work for developers, local governments, and as a lead consultant to the Department of Commerce in implementing recent housing legislation. The material from REALTORS® + Housing has been packaged into a 3.0 clock hour class approved by the Department of Licensing, and the first class will be presented by Seattle-King County Association of REALTORS® in December 2025. Other local associations can schedule this class by visiting https://www.warealtor.org/for-aes/schedule-a-WR-class to submit a class contract, or call Washington REALTORS® at 1-800-562-6024 or 360-943-3100 and speak to a representative in our education department.
In addition to covering the new laws, the class will provide examples of how to identify housing supply opportunities for existing properties and understand what limitations may exist. For example, while new state laws and local ordinances may require Middle Housing and ADUs in cities, development regulations will still apply regarding setbacks, access, and utilities. The REALTORS® + Housing clock hour class will help REALTORS® spot issues regarding development feasibility that create opportunities or limitations on the development of vacant parcels, or the redevelopment of existing properties to increase housing supply.
Bill Clarke, Washington REALTORS® Director of Public Policy
RealtorsPlusHousing.com
An overview and guidance for implementation of HB 1110 & 1337 developed by the Washington REALTZORS®, Seattle King County REALTORS®, and Kimley-Horn.
RE Magazine Winter 2026 Issue
Quick Links to Articles
- Presidents' Message
- Market Statistics — Changes in Insurance Premiums Affecting Housing
- WASHINGTON REALTOR® Profile: Steve Chung
- Why Hill Day Matters — A Conversation with James Fisher
- 2026 Washington State Legislative Session
- REALTORS® + Housing Program Expanding in 2026
- RPAC Did That For Homebuyers & Sellers!
- The Last Print Edition of RE Magazine
- Enhancing the Value of Your Membership