New laws aim to boost housing across Washington state

Washington state has enacted new housing laws to address a projected need for over 1 million homes by 2044 due to population growth. Gov. Bob Ferguson's recent measures focus on removing barriers to construction, including a reform that limits historic landmark designations. House Bill 1576 specifies that buildings under 125 years old cannot be marked as historic without owner consent if it impedes development. Pro-housing advocates argue this will prevent the landmarking process from obstructing new homebuilding.

Furthermore, House Bill 1491 requires cities to permit denser housing near transit stations, prompting Seattle to revise its zoning regulations. A law limiting parking requirements aims to cut development costs, with each parking space adding up to $20,000 to home prices, according to Ferguson. Seattle officials must implement these statewide laws by 2026 and 2029. The reforms reflect a growing urgency to address housing shortages in urban areas like Seattle.