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Housing and Policy Changes Impacting REALTORS® and Property Owners


The 2026 Washington Legislative Session has been another busy year for housing policy. Over 600 bills were introduced, with roughly 140 housing or real estate issues included. Major themes included increasing housing supply, expanding zoning flexibility, tenant protections, and new tax policies.
Several bills passed focusing on creating more housing opportunities across the state. HB 1345 allows detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in certain rural areas, with development limitations to preserve rural character while increasing housing supply. SHB 2269 also expands housing flexibility in rural communities by allowing middle housing in Limited Areas of More Intensive Rural Development (LAMIRDs) where adequate sewer infrastructure exists. These changes aim to help counties accommodate population growth while maintaining infrastructure standards.


Lawmakers also looked at ways to unlock housing within existing urban areas. SB 6026 prevents cities from prohibiting residential development in commercial zones, which could allow housing in underused commercial districts. Meanwhile, HB 2304 updates condominium warranty rules to encourage more condo construction by expanding eligible building types and adjusting warranty timelines. Both bills are intended to help increase housing availability and support more entry-level homeownership opportunities.


The session also addressed transparency in the housing market. SB 6091 requires residential properties offered for sale or lease to be publicly marketed and restricts the use of private listing networks that limit access to listings.


Several landlord–tenant bills also passed this year, addressing issues such as rent increase notices, unlawful detainer service requirements, flood disclosure rules, and the use of smart access systems in rental housing.

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