House Bill 1110 was recently passed by the Washington State legislature, which comes down as a big role in the cities across the state with the most impact felt in Seattle. The bill favors the construction of up to 6 times the density near public transit infrastructure hubs. This permits the construction of four residential units on every lot and six within a quarter-mile radius of all kinds of public transit systems. This practically means that building owners who were previously allowed to build two units are now allowed up to six-unit apartment buildings.

The lobbyists working on the bill ensured that it does not come in conflict with the current density laws like MHA (Mandatory Housing Affordability). It requires developers to look out for affordable solutions while building urban villages. As per Senator Joe Nguyen, this bill might not be perfect but is the ideal way forward considering the development acceleration required in Seattle over a large period.

The housing bill also affects individual housing projects under the SEPA or State Environmental Policy Act. At present any housing project can be appealed for a review based upon several reasons including view-blocking, noise pollution, or an increase in traffic, etc. The appeals can cause weeks and even months of delay even if they end up being rejected. With the passing of the new law, the legality of the appeals will be curbed under the SAPA if the construction falls under the legal purview of already existing laws and city building codes.

Andrew Lewis (Council member) notes that the process involves a legal fee that is ultimately paid by the taxpayer of the state. He further states that creating housing projects in Seattle has an upside to the climate rather than a downside as it is a “colossal environmental benefit”.

The said bill alone will have a joint impact combined with zoning law changes for Seattle. The update in the plan is due in 2024 when the urban planners need to come up with around a hundred thousand new residential units for the growing populous of Seattle. This will ensure enough housing for the next two decades as per statistics predictions. The zoning provisions will come into effect automatically after six months of this comprehensive plan update.

According to Alex Brennan, the director of Future Wise, a smart growth advocacy group, the approval of four housing units per lot opens up new options for future growth in Seattle. Instead of having to fight for that minimum baseline, the focus can now shift to thinking about where new developments can be created, such as new areas of development or corridors that can support denser housing. It's also important to consider how essential services like corner stores can be integrated into these neighborhoods.

Zoning laws, house building codes, and new bills can be a menace to understand for a layman looking to become a homeowner in Seattle. Therefore, the help of experts at United Seattle may be a good idea to get ahead of the curve and not lose out money in construction or future legal battles.