wa-law.org > bill > 2025-26 > HB 1840 > Original Bill

HB 1840 - Middle housing

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Section 1

Any county that is required or chooses to plan under RCW 36.70A.040 may provide by ordinance and incorporate into its development regulations, zoning regulations, and other official controls, authorization for the following:

  1. At least one middle housing unit on each parcel that permits single-family residences in designated urban growth areas, limited areas of more intensive rural development designated according to the requirements in RCW 36.70A.070(5)(d)(i);

  2. If a county takes action authorized by this subsection, it may not authorize more than 4 residential units per lot in limited areas of more intensive rural development designated according to RCW 36.70A.070(5)(d)(i), and its development regulations must:

    1. Not require any standards for middle housing that are more restrictive than those required for detached single-family residences, but may apply any objective development regulations that are required for detached single-family residences, including, but not limited to, setback, lot coverage, stormwater, clearing, and tree canopy and retention requirements;

    2. Apply to middle housing the same development permit and environmental review processes that apply to detached single-family residences, unless otherwise required by state law, including, but not limited to, shoreline regulations under chapter 90.58 RCW, building codes under chapter 19.27 RCW, energy codes under chapter 19.27A RCW, or electrical codes under chapter 19.28 RCW; and

    3. Require that middle housing in limited areas of more intensive rural development be served by sewer service.

Section 2

(1) Adoption of ordinances, development regulations and amendments to such regulations, and other nonproject actions taken by a city to implement: The actions specified in section 2, chapter 246, Laws of 2022 unless the adoption of such ordinances, development regulations and amendments to such regulations, or other nonproject actions has a probable significant adverse impact on fish habitat; and the increased residential building capacity actions identified in RCW 36.70A.600(1), with the exception of the action specified in RCW 36.70A.600(1)(f), are not subject to administrative or judicial appeals under this chapter.

Section 3

(1) The growth management hearings board shall hear and determine only those petitions alleging either:

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