The 'mother-in-law bill' passes State Senate
The Washington State Senate has passed a legislative plan for a low-conflict way of increasing housing supply in the state's urban areas.
Under Senate Bill 5812, passed on a bipartisan 38-10 vote, a path would be created for more homeowners to allow so-called mother-in-law apartments, backyard cottages, and what are called accessory dwelling units (ADU's).
The legislation, sponsored by State Sen. Guy Palumbo, D-Maltby, requires cities of a certain size to enact local ordinances to accommodate ADU's.
"This is low-hanging fruit to ease the housing shortage," said Palumbo. "ADU's represent a happy medium since they can increase housing density within the framework of existing neighborhoods without changing neighborhood character."
The legislation would require cities with over 10,000 residents, or with 2,500 to 10,000 people living within transit service districts, to adopt ADU ordinances. They must allow ADU's on lots with single family housing units, and may not impose exorbitant impact fees.
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