2024 Legislative Session Information & Resources

Allow Administrative Lot Splitting to Create New Buildable Lots

REALTORS® support legislation through which a homeowner can create an additional residential buildable lot through an administrative lot split.  This determination would be made by cities through an administrative process similar to lot line adjustments, so that cities can ensure that the new residential lot meets various requirements such as lot size, availability of utilities, legal access and easements, and compliance with critical areas, wetlands, and other environmental constraints.  In the 2023 Legislature, HB 1245 passed the House 94-2, the House again passed HB 1245 to the Senate to start the 2024 Session.   

SPONSOR(S): Rep. Andrew Barkis

WR POSITION: Support

BILL(S): HB 1245

Allow Detached Accessory Dwelling Units in Rural Areas

While King County allows Detached Accessory Dwelling Units outside of Urban Growth Areas, Growth Board decisions have prevented other counties from allowing this same type of housing. The result is that while attached units can be built in rural areas, detached ADUs cannot be legally built.  The result is an increase in illegally converted garages, barns, or sheds – and a clear inequity in housing supply for rural areas of Washington State. Detached ADUs are less expensive, smaller, and easier to build – our State’s largest and wealthiest county allows them – but other counties cannot.  The Legislature should correct this unfairness by allowing (but limiting) Detached ADUs, or by giving all counties the option of implementing King County’s Detached ADU ordinance. 

SPONSOR(S): Chapman (HB 1133) / Gildon (SB 5357) / Low (HB 2126) / Braun (SB 6029) 

WR POSITION: Support

BILLS: HB 1133 / SB 5357 / HB 2126 / SB 6029

Increase Housing Supply Through Transit-Oriented Development

Washington State will be investing billions of dollars in rail and bus transit, and these areas must include significant new housing supply and neighborhood commercial services.  Cities with major transit centers should not impose development regulations or other requirements that prevent transit-oriented housing supply.  Housing affordability should be addressed through locally-developed programs that reflect market conditions, with state funding support, and by using successful incentive programs like the Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE).  Cities deserve state financial support for local TOD planning and infrastructure needs, to ensure that TOD areas have a mix of residential and commercial development, while also providing community services and amenities.

SPONSOR(S): Reed (HB 2160) / Trudeau (SB 6024)

WR Position: Support

BILL(S): HB 2160 / SB 6024

The Housing & Real Estate Market is Fragile – Do No Harm

Current economic conditions result in a struggling real estate market for residential single and multifamily, and commercial real estate.  Washington State is experiencing declining investments in new single and multifamily housing construction, cancellation or delay of numerous development projects, and a reduction in new building permits.  Our real estate markets compete against other regions to attract investments in housing and real estate – state and local tax and regulatory actions must not harm an already fragile real estate market or disincentivize investment in future supply.