Legislation to Lift Local Prohibition of Middle Housing Proposed in Washington State

Washington State is the latest example of a state that wants to preempt local planning law to make it easier to add housing units to single-family residential properties all over the states.

1 minute read

January 23, 2020, 9:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Missing Middle Housing

A SE Portland duplex. | Sightline Institute: Missing Middle Homes Photo Library / Flickr

Dan Bertolet reports on statewide legislation introduced yesterday in Washington by State Representative Nicole Macri (D-Seattle) that would "lift local bans on small-scale, multiple-dwelling homes known as 'middle housing,'"

As explained by Bertolet, HB 2780 would re-legalize, "triplexes on any lot, and up to sixplexes in single-detached house zones in counties and cities of 15,000 or more," as well as, "duplexes on any lot in all cities between 10,000 and 15,000."

HB 2780 joins a growing roster of bills currently under consideration in the Washington Legislature that would ease zoning restrictions and other forms of housing regulation around the state. HB 2570 would ease the construction of backyard cottages and mother-in-law apartments. HB 1923, approved in 2019, increased building capacity around the state, but through incentives rather than a mandate.

HB2780 also joins a growing roster of bills in other states that would preempt local law to allow for more density in single-family zones around the state. Oregon already passed a law, but California, Maryland, Virginia, and Nebraska are considering similar reforms of the traditional single-family zoning designation to allow more space for homes of different sizes in residential neighborhoods.

Tuesday, January 21, 2020 in Sightline Institute

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.