S-5283.1
SENATE BILL 6302
State of Washington
66th Legislature
2020 Regular Session
BySenators Rolfes, Saldaña, Randall, Takko, Das, Hasegawa, Hunt, Lovelett, Nguyen, and Wilson, C.
Read first time 01/15/20.Referred to Committee on Housing Stability & Affordability.
AN ACT Relating to prohibiting local governments from limiting the number of unrelated persons occupying a home; adding a new section to chapter 35.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35A.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.01 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. The legislature finds that many Washington cities and counties impose unrelated occupant limits on households, which worsen the state's housing crisis by preventing full utilization of homes, discriminate against nontraditional households, and provide no public benefit. As a result, it is the intent of the legislature with this act to prohibit local governments from limiting the number of unrelated persons occupying a home.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 35.21 RCW to read as follows:
A city or town may not regulate or limit the number of unrelated persons that may occupy a household or dwelling unit consistent with any restrictions on occupant load of the structure as calculated by the city or town in accordance with the applicable building code.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 35A.21 RCW to read as follows:
A code city may not regulate or limit the number of unrelated persons that may occupy a household or dwelling unit consistent with any restrictions on occupant load of the structure as calculated by the code city in accordance with the applicable building code.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 36.01 RCW to read as follows:
A county may not regulate or limit the number of unrelated persons that may occupy a household or dwelling unit consistent with any restrictions on occupant load of the structure as calculated by the county in accordance with the applicable building code.
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