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2026 Legislative Session Roundup

by Robin Proebsting

The 2026 state legislative session ended in March, and your Legislative Committee was watching the action and zeroing in on the bills that affect planning.  We tracked approximately 30 bills, completed analysis on 9 bills, and provided written or oral comment to the legislature on 5 bills (sometimes commenting multiple times on the same bill). The table at the end of the article summarizes what happened to bills of interest.

Two bills that will have implications for local government planners include ESHB 2266 and E2SSB 6026. ESHB 2266 limits the ability of cities and counties to regulate indoor emergency shelters, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, or permanent supportive housing (STEP housing). Cities and counties will be required to update their codes to incorporate the bill requirements within two years or, as part of their next comprehensive plan update, whichever is sooner, otherwise state law supersedes local codes.

E2SSB 6026 prohibits certain cities and counties from excluding residential uses in areas zoned for commercial or mixed-use development, with some flexibilities. Codes must be updated within 18 months, otherwise state law supersedes local codes.

Want to help APA to have a stronger voice in Olympia? Drop me a line at [email protected], and learn more about how you can get involved!

2026 Bill Summary

Bill number

Summary

Legislative Priority

Chapter Position

Outcome

HB 2201

City Zoning in UGAs

Reform Annexations Policies and Procedures: Clarify and streamline laws and regulations without sacrificing fundamental environmental, safety, and health protections.

Concerns

Died in house committee

HB 2480/SB 6026

Residential development in commercial zones

Seek responsible changes to development-related statutes to facilitate housing development.

Concerns, suggested changes

Delivered to governor

HB 2266/6069

STEP Housing

Encourage communities to facilitate the development of more affordable housing.

Support, suggested changes

Delivered to governor

SB 5729

Encouraging construction of affordable housing by streamlining the permitting process.

Seek responsible changes to development-related statutes to facilitate housing development.

Concerns/only monitoring

Died in house committee

HB 2459

Concerning siting schools outside of an urban growth area.

Support siting schools and other public facilities within the UGA when the school district includes both urban and rural land.

Concerns, submitted comment letter

Died in house committee

HB 1160

Concerning local government design review

 

Support, suggested changed

Died in house committee

SB 5633

Subdivisions

Seek responsible changes to development-related statutes to facilitate housing development.

Suggested changes

Died in senate committee

HB 1345

Establishing limitations on detached accessory dwelling units outside of urban growth areas.

Seek responsible changes to development-related statutes to facilitate housing development.

Monitoring only

Delivered to governor

SB 6274

Concerning street standards and frontage improvement requirements

Strengthen requirements for comprehensive plan housing elements and implementa/on

Monitoring only

Died in senate committee

 

 

 

 

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