The Growth Management Act (GMA) is the comprehensive land use planning framework for counties and cities in Washington. The GMA establishes land use designation and environmental protection requirements for all Washington counties and cities. The GMA also establishes a significantly wider array of planning duties for 28 counties, and the cities within those counties, that are obligated to satisfy all planning requirements of the GMA. These jurisdictions are sometimes said to be "fully planning" under the GMA.
The GMA directs fully planning jurisdictions to adopt internally consistent, comprehensive land use plans that are generalized, coordinated land use policy statements of the governing body. Comprehensive plans are implemented through locally adopted development regulations, and both the plans and the local regulations are subject to review and revision requirements prescribed in the GMA. In developing their comprehensive plans, counties and cities must consider various goals set forth in statute.
Cities and counties that do not fully plan under the GMA may, under the state's optional planning statutes, adopt comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, and other official controls regulating land uses within their boundaries.
Land use regulations may generally include: the location and the use of buildings, structures, and land for residence, industry, trade, and other purposes; the height, construction, and design of buildings and structures; the size of yards, open spaces, lots, and tracts; the setback of buildings; the subdivision and development of land; parking requirements; and adoption of standard building codes and fire regulations.
Beginning July 1, 2024, a city may not impose any of the following on new housing units constructed within an existing building that is located in a zone that permits multifamily housing:
In addition, a city may not deny a building permit application for new housing units in an existing building due to the nonconformity of the existing structure including parking, height, setbacks, elevator size for gurney transport, or modulation, unless the city's legislative authority makes written findings that the nonconformity is causing a significant detriment to the surrounding area.
A city is not required to approve a building permit application for new housing units within an existing building that cannot satisfy life safety standards.
By July 1, 2024, cities must incorporate the standards into their development and zoning regulations or any conflicting local development regulations are superseded, preempted, and invalidated.
The original bill prohibits a city from imposing exterior design or architectural requirements on new housing units constructed within an existing building beyond those necessary for health and safety. The substitute bill adds an exception for buildings listed on a local, state, or national historic register.
(In support) This bill deals with the existing inventory of buildings and meeting the urgent need for more housing. Nothing can be done to create more housing faster than this policy. There are buildings sitting empty or nearly empty in every city across the state. These buildings could be transformed into housing. While it makes sense to convert vacant buildings to residential housing, it does not pencil out for developers. Current laws and regulations make it impossible or nearly impossible to convert offices or other existing buildings to housing. Things like parking requirements can completely prohibit these projects. Homes for people are more important than storage of cars.
(Opposed) None.
(Other) Changes are needed to address parking requirements and life safety protections.