Ben Jones, Student Representative

What this does:

This act streamlines housing development regulations and prevents governments from using vague, arbitrary guidelines in design reviews. These guidelines have been used to block the passage of construction projects, such as affordable housing, that are needed but stigmatized and disliked by neighboring property owners and other stakeholders. 

Regulations Allowed

Major Point:

Counties and cities planning under the Growth Management Act must only allow clear, objective development regulations.

Details:

The regulations only apply to the exterior of the structure.

The regulations must include determinable guidelines that applicants can use to figure out if
their building design is allowed under the regulation.

The regulations can’t in a result in a decrease in, density, height, bulk, scale

below the development regulations in a project’s zone.

This does not apply to development regulations that are for designated historic landmarks and
historic districts.

Design Review and Affordable Housing

Main Point:

Governments are encouraged to adopt additional provisions that make design review more objective and expedite review for developments that are affordable to low-income or moderate-income households and in the capacity of systemwide infrastructure improvements.

Details:

An affordable house is one that doesn’t cost more than 30% of a household’s monthly income. This includes costs like non-phone utility bills.

The dwelling units in this act provide complete independent living for at least 1 person and are sold or rented separately from other units. They provide accommodations for:

● Living
● Eating
● Sleeping
● Cooking
● Sanitation

A low-income household is 1 or more people living together with an income of less than 80% of the area median income. If the household is in a city where the income is at least 20% higher than the county’s and the city has adopted an alternative local median income, then the household’s income is less than 80% of the city’s median income. 

A moderate income household is 1 or more people living together with an adjusted income of 120% or less than the area median income. If the household is in a city where the income is at least 20% higher than the county’s and the city has adopted an alternative local median income, then the household’s income is less than 120% of the city’s median income.

Who this applies to:

Counties planning under the GMA, developers