Housing opportunity zones

AN ACT Relating to housing development opportunity zones; adding 1
a new section to chapter 35.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 2
35A.21 RCW; and creating a new section. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes that the state 5
of Washington is experiencing a housing supply crisis, and while the 6
10-year comprehensive review and zoning review processes typically 7
ensure sustainable and inclusive growth, these processes may not 8
always be necessary in instances where development has already 9
occurred. Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to create 10
opportunities for localities to designate zones for residential and 11
mixed-use residential development, between zoning and code cycles, in 12
underutilized areas where land development has already occurred.13
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 35.21 14
RCW to read as follows: 15
(1) A city may designate, by resolution or ordinance, a 16
geographic area within its jurisdiction as a housing development 17
opportunity zone which encompasses areas characterized by large 18
commercial development such as shopping malls, vacant department 19
stores, and vacant grocery stores. 20
S-1343.1
SENATE BILL 5749
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Senators J. Wilson, Fortunato, Short, Christian, Torres, Dozier,
Boehnke, Holy, Wagoner, and McCune
Read first time 02/13/25. Referred to Committee on Housing.
p. 1 SB 5749
(2) The housing development opportunity zone project site area 1
must be defined by existing improvements on the parcel, including but 2
not limited to parking and landscape areas. 3
(3) Within the housing development opportunity zone, residential 4
development must be prioritized. 5
(4)(a) Housing development within the opportunity zone must 6
utilize: 7
(i) Any existing stormwater permits, existing facilities and 8
services, and any existing infrastructure as a method for reducing 9
development costs; and 10
(ii) The existing project site area for development or 11
redevelopment. 12
(b) Any development or redevelopment must be done within the 13
setbacks required at the time of initial development.14
(5) The city may waive any impact fees associated with 15
development or redevelopment within the opportunity zone.16
(6) Resolutions or ordinances made to implement a housing 17
development opportunity zone are exempt from the requirements of RCW 18
36.70A.130 and may be implemented at any time within the planning 19
period under the condition that the next comprehensive plan update 20
incorporate such changes. 21
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 35A.21 22
RCW to read as follows: 23
(1) A code city may designate, by resolution or ordinance, a 24
geographic area within its jurisdiction as a housing development 25
opportunity zone which encompasses areas characterized by large 26
commercial development such as shopping malls, vacant department 27
stores, and vacant grocery stores. 28
(2) The housing development opportunity zone project site area 29
must be defined by existing improvements on the parcel, including but 30
not limited to parking and landscape areas. 31
(3) Within the housing development opportunity zone, residential 32
development must be prioritized. 33
(4)(a) Housing development within the opportunity zone must 34
utilize: 35
(i) Any existing stormwater permits, existing facilities and 36
services, and any existing infrastructure as a method for reducing 37
development costs; and 38
p. 2 SB 5749
(ii) The existing project site area for development or 1
redevelopment. 2
(b) Any development or redevelopment must be done within the 3
setbacks required at the time of initial development.4
(5) The code city may waive any impact fees associated with 5
development or redevelopment within the opportunity zone.6
(6) Resolutions or ordinances made to implement a housing 7
development opportunity zone are exempt from the requirements of RCW 8
36.70A.130 and may be implemented at any time within the planning 9
period under the condition that the next comprehensive plan update 10
incorporate such changes. 11
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p. 3 SB 5749