Gig Harbor: High-Density Residential Development
Gig Harbor's overdue 2044 Comprehensive Plan update is grappling with the state mandate to accommodate moderate to low-income housing, necessitating a shift towards higher-density residential development. This requirement pushes the city to enable developers to create 662 new homes, with over half affordable to those with moderate to low incomes. To achieve this, the plan proposes significant upzones, notably a fivefold increase in density on a 13-acre parcel in Swede Hill and a similar increase around Point Fosdick and Olympic Drives.
WA State: Housing Affordability Index
The Housing Attainability Index, a Washington-based resource, reveals a concerning reality: homeownership is unaffordable for 80% of Washington families in March 2025. This study highlights a significant disconnect between the income required to qualify for a median-priced home and the actual earnings of most households in the state. While the median home price stands at $596,514, requiring an annual income of $183,619, the average Washington household earns only $94,605, approximately half of what's needed.
Tacoma: Pacific Avenue Corridor
Picture Pac Ave represents a proactive and community-driven initiative by the City of Tacoma to forge a comprehensive long-term vision for growth and development along the Pacific Avenue corridor, stretching from approximately I-5 to South 96th Street. Recognizing the transformative potential of planned transit improvements in this area, the city is partnering directly with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to collaboratively shape the future of this vital artery. The primary aim of Picture Pac Ave is to strategically guide future investments and policy decisions, ultimately fostering a more vibrant, sustainable, and equitable corridor for both current and future Tacomans.
Fife: Zoning Updates
The City of Fife is undertaking a comprehensive update to its zoning regulations as part of its 2024-2044 Periodic Update, proposing significant changes to existing zoning designations and introducing new ones to better reflect the city's evolving landscape and planning objectives. A key focus of these proposed changes is the area surrounding the future Sound Transit station, with the creation of two new zones: City Center North and City Center South. City Center North is specifically designed for the immediate vicinity north of the freeway, anticipating higher density development and mixed-use opportunities capitalizing on the transit infrastructure. In contrast, City Center South is envisioned as a buffer zone south of the freeway, providing a transition between the more intense development of City Center North and the existing lower density residential areas in central Fife.
WA State: HB 1491 TOD Density Requirements (Proposed)
HB 1491 aims to significantly promote community and transit-oriented housing development (TOD) in Washington state by mandating specific density requirements and providing incentives for affordable housing near transit stations. The bill targets cities planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA), requiring them to allow higher-density residential and mixed-use development within designated station areas.
Pierce County: Economic Index
The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber (TPCC)'s 2025 Pierce County Economic Index (PCEI) Report, authored by economist Dr. Neal Johnson, reveals a nuanced economic landscape for Pierce County, with particular emphasis on the challenges confronting the construction sector. While the overall forecast anticipates moderate economic growth of 1.6%, the report highlights significant headwinds for construction, primarily stemming from persistent high mortgage rates. Andrea Reay, President & CEO of TPCC, acknowledges these difficulties, stating that while progress is evident in areas like personal income and job creation, the struggles within the housing market underscore the lingering impact of broader economic conditions. The report serves as a critical tool for members to navigate the year ahead, particularly those in or reliant on the construction industry, providing insights needed to foster resilience amidst these specific challenges.
WA State: HB 1160 Design Review for Housing Development (Proposed)
HB 1160 focuses on streamlining design review processes for housing development permit applications within cities and counties operating under the Growth Management Act (GMA) in Washington state. The bill aims to address the housing crisis by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and increasing predictability in the permitting process.
Seattle: Housing in the stadium Transition Area Overlay District
Seattle City Council Bill 120933, now approved by the City Council, amends the Seattle Municipal Code, specifically Sections 23.74.002 and 23.74.008, to permit residential uses within the Stadium Transition Area Overlay District (STAOD). This change aims to diversify land use in the area surrounding Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park, which is currently zoned primarily for Urban Industrial (UI) use.
The STAOD, designed to foster a pedestrian-friendly environment, has historically restricted residential development. The approved amendment seeks to remove these restrictions, allowing residential projects as conditional uses within the UI-zoned sections of the district. This aligns with the city's goal of increasing workforce housing and revitalizing the area beyond event days.
Redmond: 2025 Code Package
The City of Redmond's "Redmond 2050: 2025 Code Package" represents a significant overhaul of its planning and zoning regulations, designed to align with the city's long-term vision and address evolving community needs. This comprehensive update is structured into two primary parts, focusing on different aspects of the city's regulatory framework.
WA State: SB 5659 Mandated Home Construction Levels (Proposed)
Senate Bill 5659 aims to address Washington's severe housing shortage by mandating increased home construction at the local level. The bill begins by acknowledging the state's critical need for over a million new homes and emphasizes the crucial role local governments play in housing development due to their permitting authority. It expresses the legislature's intent to collaborate with local and state entities to boost new home construction and alleviate the shortage within the next decade.
Tacoma: One Tacoma Plan
The draft "One Tacoma Plan" demonstrates notable strides in fostering sustainable growth, housing affordability, enhanced transportation, climate resilience, and equitable development. The plan's emphasis on expanding 15-minute neighborhoods, prioritizing mixed-use development, strengthening multimodal transportation, and investing in green infrastructure and carbon sequestration reflects a forward-thinking approach. Furthermore, the plan acknowledges the importance of ensuring that overburdened communities benefit from environmental justice initiatives. However, the plan's potential impact is diminished by a lack of robust enforcement mechanisms and concrete funding commitments, which are crucial for translating these aspirations into tangible outcomes.
Tukwila: Phased Binding Site Improvement Plans (BSIPs)
The City of Tukwila is proposing an amendment to its regulations regarding phased Binding Site Improvement Plans (BSIPs). Currently, the city mandates that developers utilizing phased BSIPs execute a development agreement in addition to the BSIP itself. This requirement, found in Tukwila Municipal Code (TMC) 17.16.030(C), has been identified by city staff as redundant, burdensome, and inconsistent with practices in comparable jurisdictions.
WA State: HB 1353 Self-Certification for DADUs
House Bill 1353 aims to streamline the permitting process for detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in cities planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA) by establishing a self-certification program. Currently, the GMA mandates that these cities allow ADUs, but the permitting process can be lengthy. This bill proposes allowing registered architects to certify that a detached ADU project complies with applicable building codes.
Fife: 2024-44 Comprehensive Plan Update
The City of Fife is undertaking a significant update to its Comprehensive Plan, known as the 2024-44 Comprehensive Plan, to replace the existing document and align with state, regional, and county mandates, notably the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) and Puget Sound Regional Council's (PSRC) Vision 2050. This comprehensive revision, spanning two and a half years, is driven by public input and evolving legislative requirements, particularly concerning affordable housing and climate change.
Tacoma: South Tacoma Neighborhood Planning Program
A range of compelling factors, highlighting both potential and need, led the City of Tacoma to choose South Tacoma as the third focus area for its Neighborhood Planning Program. This decision was driven by a confluence of factors, all pointing towards the neighborhood's significant potential and pressing needs. At the heart of the decision lies the city's overarching vision, articulated in the One Tacoma Comprehensive Plan. This plan prioritizes the development of livable neighborhood centers, transit-oriented development, and the equitable distribution of resources. South Tacoma, already designated as a neighborhood business district and zoned as a Neighborhood Mixed-Use Center, aligns perfectly with these strategic goals.
WA State: HB 1458 Embodied Carbon and building materials (Proposed)
House Bill 1458 focuses on reducing the embodied carbon emissions associated with buildings and building materials in Washington state. Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions released during the lifecycle of building materials, from raw material extraction and manufacturing to transportation and installation.
City of Seattle: Tax deferral for building conversions from Commercial to Residential
On February 11, 2025, the Seattle City Council passed Council Bill 120937, a pivotal piece of legislation designed to incentivize the conversion of underutilized commercial properties into residential housing. This initiative, set to take effect in 2025, aims to address both the city's housing shortage and the challenges faced by the commercial real estate market in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
WA State: HB 1175 Allowing Neighborhood Stores and Cafes in Residential Zones (Proposed)
House Bill 1175 mandates that cities and towns in Washington state allow neighborhood stores and cafés within residential zones. The bill adds new sections to chapters 35.21 and 35A.21 of the Revised Code of Washington, outlining the specific requirements for both incorporated cities and code cities (those operating under a specific set of state laws). The core provision requires these municipalities to permit such businesses in any area zoned for residential use, with the stipulation that cafés serving alcohol must also offer food.
Edmonds: Middle Housing and Impact Fee Code Update 2025
The City of Edmonds is undertaking a significant Development Code Update in 2025, driven primarily by state mandates concerning middle housing and impact fees. Senior Planner Brad Shipley presented key issues to the Planning Board on February 26, 2025, outlining the scope and challenges of this update.
Everett: Everett 2044 Plan
Everett, Washington, like many cities with a working waterfront, is trying to figure out how to balance a busy industrial port with the needs of its neighborhoods. As the city updates its long-range plan, called Everett 2044, the future of the port is a big topic of discussion. This plan, required by state law, is meant to guide the city's growth for the next twenty years, and what happens with the port will have a big impact on Everett's economy and the people who live there.