BILL REQ. #:  H-3777.1 

READ FIRST TIME 01/30/14.   

     AN ACT Relating to regulations requiring minimum room area or floor area square footage of single-family residential buildings; amending RCW 19.27.060, 35.63.080, 35A.63.100, 36.43.010, and 36.70.750; adding a new section to chapter 19.27 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 64.38 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 there is a growing need for ecologically sustainable and affordable housing, and small home construction is a way to meet this need. The legislature also finds that minimum room area and floor area square footage requirements that do not further fire, life safety, or environmental purposes, objectives, or standards prevent construction of such small homes. It is the intent of the legislature that regulations adopted throughout the state may not require minimum room area or floor area square footage for single-family residential buildings, except as may be necessary to ensure that structures meet fire, life safety, or environmental standards.

Sec. 2   RCW 19.27.060 and 2002 c 135 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The governing bodies of counties and cities may amend the codes enumerated in RCW 19.27.031 as amended and adopted by the state building code council as they apply within their respective jurisdictions, but the amendments shall not result in a code that is less than the minimum performance standards and objectives contained in the state building code.
     (a) No amendment to a code enumerated in RCW 19.27.031 as amended and adopted by the state building code council that affects single-family or multifamily residential buildings shall be effective unless the amendment is approved by the building code council under RCW 19.27.074(1)(b).
     (b) Any county or city amendment to a code enumerated in RCW 19.27.031 which is approved under RCW 19.27.074(1)(b) shall continue to be effective after any action is taken under RCW 19.27.074(1)(a) without necessity of reapproval under RCW 19.27.074(1)(b) unless the amendment is declared null and void by the council at the time any action is taken under RCW 19.27.074(1)(a) because such action in any way altered the impact of the amendment.
     (2) County or city amendments to the residential code enumerated in RCW 19.27.031(1)(b) may not require minimum room area or floor area square footage for a single-family residential building, unless such regulation is necessary for a fire, life safety, or environmental purpose.
     (3) Except as permitted or provided otherwise under this section, the state building code shall be applicable to all buildings and structures including those owned by the state or by any governmental subdivision or unit of local government.
     (((3))) (4) The governing body of each county or city may limit the application of any portion of the state building code to exclude specified classes or types of buildings or structures according to use other than single-family or multifamily residential buildings. However, in no event shall fruits or vegetables of the tree or vine stored in buildings or warehouses constitute combustible stock for the purposes of application of the uniform fire code. A governing body of a county or city may inspect facilities used for temporary storage and processing of agricultural commodities.
     (((4))) (5) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any building four or more stories high with a B occupancy as defined by the uniform building code, 1982 edition, and with a city fire insurance rating of 1, 2, or 3 as defined by a recognized fire rating bureau or organization.
     (((5))) (6) No provision of the uniform fire code concerning roadways shall be part of the state building code: PROVIDED, That this subsection shall not limit the authority of a county or city to adopt street, road, or access standards.
     (((6))) (7) The provisions of the state building code may be preempted by any city or county to the extent that the code provisions relating to the installation or use of sprinklers in jail cells conflict with the secure and humane operation of jails.
     (((7))) (8)(a) Effective one year after July 23, 1989, the governing bodies of counties and cities may adopt an ordinance or resolution to exempt from permit requirements certain construction or alteration of either group R, division 3, or group M, division 1 occupancies, or both, as defined in the uniform building code, 1988 edition, for which the total cost of fair market value of the construction or alteration does not exceed fifteen hundred dollars. The permit exemption shall not otherwise exempt the construction or alteration from the substantive standards of the codes enumerated in RCW 19.27.031, as amended and maintained by the state building code council under RCW 19.27.070.
     (b) Prior to July 23, 1989, the state building code council shall adopt by rule, guidelines exempting from permit requirements certain construction and alteration activities under (a) of this subsection.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 19.27 RCW to read as follows:
     By December 1, 2014, the building code council shall adopt rules that eliminate any minimum room area or floor area square footage requirements for single-family residences. The building code council may make any limited exception to such rules only if it determines that the regulation of minimum room area or floor area square footage is necessary for a fire, life safety, or environmental purpose.

Sec. 4   RCW 35.63.080 and 1979 ex.s. c 170 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The council or board may provide for the preparation by its commission and the adoption and enforcement of coordinated plans for the physical development of the municipality. For this purpose the council or board, in such measure as is deemed reasonably necessary or requisite in the interest of health, safety, morals, and the general welfare, upon recommendation by its commission, by general ordinances of the city or general resolution of the board, may do the following:
     (a) Regulate and restrict:
     (i) The location and the use of buildings, structures, and land for residence, trade, industrial, and other purposes;
     (ii) The height, number of stories, size, construction and design of buildings and other structures, except minimum room area or floor area square footage for a single-family residential building may not be regulated or restricted unless necessary for a fire, life safety, or environmental purpose;
     (iii) The size of yards, courts, and other open spaces on the lot or tract;
     (iv) The density of population;
     (v) The set-back of buildings along highways, parks, or public water frontages; and
     (vi) The subdivision and development of land; and ((may))
     (b) Encourage and protect access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems.
     (2) A council where such ordinances are in effect, may, on the recommendation of its commission provide for the appointment of a board of adjustment, to make, in appropriate cases and subject to appropriate conditions and safeguards established by ordinance, special exceptions in harmony with the general purposes and intent and in accordance with general or specific rules therein contained.

Sec. 5   RCW 35A.63.100 and 1979 ex.s. c 170 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
     After approval of the comprehensive plan, as set forth above, the legislative body, in developing the municipality and in regulating the use of land, may implement or give effect to the comprehensive plan or parts thereof by ordinance or other action to such extent as the legislative body deems necessary or appropriate. Such ordinances or other action may provide for:
     (1) Adoption of an official map and regulations relating thereto designating locations and requirements for one or more of the following: Streets, parks, public buildings, and other public facilities, and protecting such sites against encroachment by buildings and other physical structures.
     (2) Dividing the municipality, or portions thereof, into appropriate zones within which specific standards, requirements, and conditions may be provided for regulating: The use of public and private land, buildings, and structures((, and)); the location, height, bulk, number of stories, and size of buildings and structures, except minimum room area or floor area square footage for a single-family residential building may not be regulated unless necessary for a fire, life safety, or environmental purpose; size of yards, courts, and open spaces((,)); density of population((,)); ratio of land area to the area of buildings and structures((,)); setbacks((,)); area required for off-street parking((,)); protection of access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems((,)); and such other standards, requirements, regulations, and procedures as are appropriately related thereto. The ordinance encompassing the matters of this subsection is hereinafter called the "zoning ordinance". No zoning ordinance, or amendment thereto, shall be enacted by the legislative body without at least one public hearing, notice of which shall be given as set forth in RCW 35A.63.070. Such hearing may be held before the planning agency or the board of adjustment or such other body as the legislative body shall designate.
     (3) Adoption of design standards, requirements, regulations, and procedures for the subdivision of land into two or more parcels, including, but not limited to, the approval of plats, dedications, acquisitions, improvements, and reservation of sites for public use.
     (4) Scheduling public improvements on the basis of recommended priorities over a period of years, subject to periodic review.
     (5) Such other matters as may be otherwise authorized by law or as the legislative body deems necessary or appropriate to effectuate the goals and objectives of the comprehensive plan or parts thereof and the purposes of this chapter.

Sec. 6   RCW 36.43.010 and 1963 c 4 s 36.43.010 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The boards of county commissioners may adopt standard building codes and standard fire regulations to be applied within their respective jurisdictions.
     (2) Standard building codes adopted by boards of county commissioners may not require minimum room area or floor area square footage for a single-family residential building, unless the requirement is necessary for a fire, life safety, or environmental purpose.

Sec. 7   RCW 36.70.750 and 1963 c 4 s 36.70.750 are each amended to read as follows:
     Any board, by ordinance, may establish classifications, within each of which, specific controls are identified, and which will:
     (1) Regulate the use of buildings, structures, and land as between agriculture, industry, business, residence, and other purposes;
     (2) Regulate location, height, bulk, number of stories, and size of buildings and structures, except minimum room area or floor area square footage for a single-family residential building may not be regulated unless necessary for a fire, life safety, or environmental purpose; the size of yards, courts, and other open spaces; the density of population; the percentage of a lot which may be occupied by buildings and structures; and the area required to provide off-street facilities for the parking of motor vehicles.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   A new section is added to chapter 64.38 RCW to read as follows:
     The prohibition on cities and counties from requiring any minimum room area or floor area square footage for a single-family residential building, as provided under RCW 35.63.080, 35A.63.100, 36.43.010, and 36.70.750, does not restrict or otherwise apply in any way to the governing documents of any association.