Published on May 27, 2025
A busy but ultimately quiet year on land use and building code issues
After several years of constant changes to city Growth Management Act (GMA) responsibilities, the Legislature mostly took a pause on changing the rules of the road regarding comprehensive plans in recognition that there is no longer time to incorporate those into the current planning round without significant disruptions.
Instead, we saw a series of more modest bills, and those that did pass had effective dates that were sensitive to GMA timelines. The most prominent of which was the requirement to make childcare facilities an allowed use in most areas of cities, with implementation required for those who have already adopted their most recent comprehensive plan updates two years after the effective date of the bill.
Bill # | Description | Status |
|---|
HB 1039 | City & tribe contracting for urban services | Law; effective July 27, 2025. |
HB 1061 | Ingress/egress driveway parking | Law; effective July 27, 2025. |
HB 1135 | GMA compliance after ordinance repeal | Law; effective July 27, 2025. |
HB 1562 | Diaper changing stations | Law; effective July 27, 2025. |
HB 1576 | Historic landmarks | Law; effective July 27, 2025. |
HB 1688 | Electric security fences | Law; effective July 27, 2025. |
HB 1935 | Project permit definition | Law; effective July 27, 2025. |
SB 5509 | Childcare centers zoning mandate | Law; effective July 27, 2025.* |
SB 5558 | GMA comprehensive plan & implementation timelines | Law; effective July 27, 2025.* |
SB 5611 | Permit streamlining | Law; various effective dates. |
SB 5655 | Childcare occupancy in existing buildings | Law; effective July 27, 2025. |
HB 1175 | Neighborhood cafes | Did not pass. |
HB 1254 | Wildland Urban Interface Code reforms | Did not pass. |
HB 1212 | Siting childcare centers | Did not pass. |
SB 5197 | GMA compliance after ordinance repeal | Did not pass. |
SB 5421 | “Small” neighborhood businesses | Did not pass |
SB 5429 | Building Code Council membership | Did not pass. |
SB 5719 | Hearing examiner required | Did not pass. |
*Implementation dates are based on Growth Management Act comprehensive planning timelines and vary between bills and planning jurisdictions.
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Advocacy
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Land use & planning
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Session recap
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Governor’s commercial rezoning bill dominates land use discussions
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Trailer bill addresses lands sold for public purpose
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Bill to prohibit negative use restrictions on grocery stores is law
AWC's bill tracker
Visit AWC’s bill tracker to learn about legislation with city impacts this year.