WA bill to overhaul commercial zoning aims to create more housing
A bill to allow housing in commercial and mixed-use zones statewide is under intense debate in Olympia.
Senate Bill 6026 proposes that cities and counties with more than 30,000 people must allow housing in areas zoned for commercial or mixed-use development. It would prohibit those municipalities from requiring ground-floor retail or commercial uses as a condition for issuing housing permits.
The bill is sponsored by Democratic Sen. Emily Alvarado, who represents a large swath of West Seattle, with support from state senators Jessica Bateman, Steve Conway, Noel Frame, Marko Liias, T’wina Nobles and Sharon Shewmake. It was introduced at the request of Gov. Bob Ferguson.
Supporters say it expands desperately needed housing supply as concerns mount over affordability and homelessness, but critics warn it could disrupt local planning and retail operations.
https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/01/23/legislature-bill-commercial-zones-housing-ferguson.html