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HB1212 • 2026

Child care center siting

Concerning the siting of child care centers.

Children
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Representative Alvarado, Representative Duerr, Representative Reed, Representative Berry, Representative Leavitt, Representative Mena, Representative Macri, Representative Callan, Representative Fosse, Representative Simmons, Representative Peterson, Representative Street, Representative Wylie, Representative Kloba, Representative Ormsby, Representative Hill
Last action
2026-01-12
Official status
H Approps
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Child care center siting

Child care center siting

What This Bill Does

  • Child care center siting

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-12 House

    By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

Official Summary Text

Child care center siting

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
AN ACT Relating to the siting of child care centers; adding a new 1
section to chapter 35.21 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 2
35A.21 RCW. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 35.21 5
RCW to read as follows: 6
(1) Cities and towns must allow child care centers, and the 7
conversion of existing buildings for use as child care centers, as an 8
outright permitted use in all zones except industrial zones.9
(2) Cities may impose reasonable restrictions on the permit, 10
including pickup and drop-off areas. 11
(3) Cities must adopt or amend by ordinance, and incorporate into 12
their development regulations, zoning regulations, and other official 13
controls, the requirements in this section no later than one year 14
after their next periodic comprehensive plan update required under 15
RCW 36.70A.130, or within one year of the effective date of this 16
section if not a city or town planning under chapter 36.70A RCW.17
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 35A.21 18
RCW to read as follows: 19
H-0450.1
HOUSE BILL 1212
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Alvarado, Duerr, Reed, Berry, Leavitt, Mena,
Macri, Callan, Fosse, Simmons, Peterson, Street, Wylie, Kloba,
Ormsby, and Hill
Prefiled 01/09/25. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee
on Local Government.
p. 1 HB 1212
(1) Code cities and towns must allow child care centers, and the 1
conversion of existing buildings for use as child care centers, as an 2
outright permitted use in all zones except industrial zones.3
(2) Code cities may impose reasonable restrictions on the permit, 4
including pickup and drop-off areas. 5
(3) Code cities must adopt or amend by ordinance, and incorporate 6
into their development regulations, zoning regulations, and other 7
official controls, the requirements in this section no later than one 8
year after their next periodic comprehensive plan update required 9
under RCW 36.70A.130, or within one year of the effective date of 10
this section if not a city or town planning under chapter 36.70A RCW.11
--- END ---
p. 2 HB 1212