Minimum Parking Requirements.

Cities and counties have broad authority to regulate parking in their jurisdictions.  Cities and counties are subject to certain minimum parking requirements, such as parking minimums for certain types of housing within a specified distance of a transit stop and restrictions on parking requirements for accessory dwelling units within a specified distance of a transit stop.  Some affordable housing incentive programs offer incentives for parking reductions.

In counties and cities that plan under the Growth Management Act, minimum residential parking requirements mandated by municipal zoning ordinances for housing units constructed after July 1, 2019, are subject to the following:

• For affordable housing units that are available to very low-income or extremely low-income individuals and are located within 0.25 miles of a transit stop that receives transit service at least two times per hour for 12 or more hours per day, minimum residential parking requirements may be no greater than one parking space per bedroom or 0.75 spaces per unit.
• For housing units specifically for seniors or people with disabilities that are located within 0.25 miles of a transit stop that receives transit service at least four times per hour for 12 or more hours per day, minimum residential parking requirements may not be imposed, with exceptions.
• For market rate multifamily housing units that are located within 0.25 miles of a transit stop that receives transit service from at least one route that provides service at least four times per hour for 12 or more hours per day, minimum residential parking requirements may be no greater than one parking space per bedroom or 0.75 spaces per unit.

People with disabilities are granted access to accessible parking spaces.  Such individuals receive special license plates or placards that must be hung in their vehicles to park in accessible spaces.

Cities and counties may not require any minimum parking requirements for the following:

• existing buildings undergoing change of use, including vacant buildings;
• residences under 1,200 square feet;
• commercial spaces under 5,000 square feet;
• affordable housing;
• senior housing;
• housing for people with disabilities;
• facilities that serve alcohol;
• child care facilities; and
• commercial spaces in mixed-use projects.

Cities and counties may not require more than 0.5 parking spaces per residential dwelling unit.  Cities and counties may not require more than one parking space per 1,000 square feet of commercial space.

These requirements do not apply to:

• accessible parking spaces in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act;
• cities with a population of 20,000 or less;
• a city or county that submits an empirical study to the Department of Commerce (Commerce) that clearly demonstrates, and Commerce certifies, that applying the parking requirement limitations will be significantly less safe for vehicle drivers or passengers, pedestrians, or bicyclists compared to the city or county's current parking requirements; or
• portions of cities or counties within a one-mile radius of a commercial airport in Washington with at least 9,000,000 enplanements.

A county may not require off-street parking if the county's roads are not developed to the standards for streets and roads adopted by the cities within that county.

The State Building Code Council must research, and if necessary, adopt by rule updated accessible parking space requirements in the State Building Code to align with current research on disability rates among drivers.

Minimum parking requirements for cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act are repealed.