With an almost unanimous vote in the Senate, HB 1998 is one step closer to becoming law. The amended co-housing bill must now be agreed to or changed by the House; but considering the vote was unanimous in its original chamber, it’s likely it will sail through this next hurdle. Then it’s off to the Governor’s desk.

Here is the change that occurred in the Senate:

Clarifies that a city or county may not treat a sleeping unit in co-living housing as more than one-half of a dwelling unit for purposes of calculating fees for sewer connections, rather than utility connections, unless the city or county makes a finding, based on facts, that the connection fees should exceed the one-half threshold.

AWC asked for this amendment to make sure utility fees could match costs.

Co-housing bill passes House

February 9, 2024

The House version of the co-living housing bill (HB 1998) was amended twice before being passed off the chamber floor. Here’s the summary of changes:

• Requires cities and counties to allow co-living housing on any lot located within an urban growth area (UGA) that allows at least six multifamily residential units, rather than any zone within a UGA that allows multifamily residential uses.
• Specifies that the off-street parking limitations for co-living housing do not apply to portions of cities within a one-mile radius of SEA-TAC airport.
• Modifies the calculations for density and fees by prohibiting treating a sleeping unit as:
  • More than one-quarter of a dwelling unit for purposes of calculating dwelling unit density; or
  • More than one-half of a dwelling unit for purposes of calculating fees for utility connections.
• Requires a fully planning city or county to allow co-living housing no later than December 31, 2025, instead of six months after its next comprehensive plan update.

An old housing form is popular again

January 5, 2024

Rep. Mia Gregerson (D–SeaTac) and Sen. Jesse Salomon (D–Shoreline) have introduced companion bills to promote “co-living,” sometimes known as single room occupancy housing. Think small individual rooms with shared facilities, like kitchens. HB 1998 and SB 5901 require cities to authorize this form of multifamily housing, and sets out the following restrictions for a city to regulate the housing type:

1. Must allow co-living housing anywhere multifamily or mixed use is authorized. "Co-living housing" means a residential development with sleeping units that are independently rented and lockable and provide living and sleeping space, and residents share kitchen facilities with other sleeping units in the building.”
2. May not require co-living housing to include:
   1. larger rooms than the minimum allowed by the building code
   2. a mix of bedroom or unit sizes
   3. other, non-residential uses
3. May not apply on-site parking requirements to co-living buildings within a half mile walking distance of a major transit stop. Further away from transit, cities would be limited to .25 parking spaces per “sleeping unit.”
4. May only treat a “sleeping unit” in a co-living facility as 25% of a “dwelling unit” for purposes of density calculations or fees for permitting and utility connection.

AWC would particularly appreciate feedback from cities on whether they have concerns about being required to allow this housing form under these specific restrictions.

Dates to remember

HB 1998 is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Housing Committee on Monday, January 8 at 1:30 pm.

SB 5901 is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Local Government Committee on Tuesday, January 9 at 8 am.