BILL REQ. #:  H-3654.1 

Prefiled 12/07/09. Read first time 01/11/10.   Referred to Committee on Local Government & Housing.

     AN ACT Relating to notifying property owners of proposals to modify zoning requirements; adding a new section to chapter 35.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35A.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.70 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.70A RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature affirms that private property rights are fundamental to the freedoms and protections that Washingtonians enjoy. These citizen-based rights and freedoms, and the liberty they afford, distinguish our great state and nation from other governments. The legislature finds that the authority and spirit embodied in Article I, sections 3 and 7 of the state Constitution serve as the standard by which the legislature must carefully assess its actions pertaining to property rights, due process, and privacy. The legislature further finds that these assessments, and any resulting actions, must: (1) Be based in the informed consent of the governed; (2) protect private property; (3) recognize the true costs of government paid through taxes; and (4) guard against persistent inclinations to erode citizen rights by authorizing unnecessary or intrusive government actions.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 35.21 RCW to read as follows:
     Any city or town that is considering a proposal to modify its zoning requirements must ensure that, prior to the adoption of any modification, notice of the proposal is provided by mail to the owners of the real property for which the modification would apply. Notifications required by this section must: (1) Be mailed to the latest recorded real property owners as shown by the records of the county assessor; (2) contain a clear and concise description of the proposal and an explanation of modifications affecting the real property owned by the notification recipient; and (3) contain information, including date, time, and staff contact information, about any public meeting at which the proposal is scheduled to be addressed.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 35A.21 RCW to read as follows:
     Any city that is considering a proposal to modify its zoning requirements must ensure that, prior to the adoption of any modification, notice of the proposal is provided by mail to the owners of the real property for which the modification would apply. Notifications required by this section must: (1) Be mailed to the latest recorded real property owners as shown by the records of the county assessor; (2) contain a clear and concise description of the proposal and an explanation of modifications affecting the real property owned by the notification recipient; and (3) contain information, including date, time, and staff contact information, about any public meeting at which the proposal is scheduled to be addressed.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 36.70 RCW to read as follows:
     Any county that is considering a proposal to modify its zoning requirements must ensure that, prior to the adoption of any modification, notice of the proposal is provided by mail to the owners of the real property for which the modification would apply. Notifications required by this section must: (1) Be mailed to the latest recorded real property owners as shown by the records of the county assessor; (2) contain a clear and concise description of the proposal and an explanation of modifications affecting the real property owned by the notification recipient; and (3) contain information, including date, time, and staff contact information, about any public meeting at which the proposal is scheduled to be addressed.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   A new section is added to chapter 36.70A RCW to read as follows:
     Any county, city, or town that is considering a proposal to modify its zoning requirements must ensure that, prior to the adoption of any modification, notice of the proposal is provided by mail to the owners of the real property for which the modification would apply. Notifications required by this section must: (1) Be mailed to the latest recorded real property owners as shown by the records of the county assessor; (2) contain a clear and concise description of the proposal and an explanation of modifications affecting the real property owned by the notification recipient; and (3) contain information, including date, time, and staff contact information, about any public meeting at which the proposal is scheduled to be addressed.