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State Land Use Enacted Legislation
| Bill # | State | Year | Party | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
HB 1353 |
WA | 2025 | D | Building code reform, Lands near transit, Streamline application |
Provided by Furman
Summary
- Allows cities planning under the Growth Management Act to operate self-certification programs for the construction or development of detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on residential properties, speeding up the process of ADU construction.
- If a permit application has been self-certified as required by the program, then, after determining that the application is complete, the city may consider the application to be in compliance with applicable Code requirements, as well as with local building, electric, plumbing, mechanical, and fire code requirements. Only registered architects may participate in a self-certification program.
- A permit issued pursuant to a self-certification program has the same effect as a permit issued after a full project review.
- Requires each city to adopt rules for its self-certification program, including, at minimum: any requirements other than registration for an architect to qualify; requirements for random audits of self-certified program applications; any penalties for failing an audit; and requirements for architects participating in the program to maintain appropriate professional liability insurance.
- Requires the Department of Commerce to maintain a database of architects who have been penalized for failed audits, as reported by cities.
- Requires cities operating a self-certification program to submit a report on their programs by July 31, 2028, including the number of self-certification applications received and issued through the program, the average length of time that it took for a project permit to be issued on a detached ADU application for self-certified permit applications and non-self-certified permit applications, and the results of the city’s audits of self-certified project permit applications. The Department of Commerce must summarize the information by December 31, 2028.
Provided by lawmakers
Bill Title
Establishing a self-certification program for accessory dwelling unit project permit applications
Related resources
Enacted Legislation Related Posts
Research and analysis from the Furman Center on this and related housing policy topics.
