The 2023-2025 State Operating Budget (Senate Bill 5187) directs Commerce to administer grants and provide technical assistance to cities or counties for actions relating to adopting ordinances that plan for and accommodate housing. This grant cycle is coming to a close, June 31, 2025.
More information on future granting programs will be available on the Commerce grants webpage and in the GMA Newsletter.
The published model ordinances include both RCW36.70A.635 requirements, and optional development standards to facilitate middle housing development. To account for differing middle housing requirements based on a city’s population, one model ordinance has been prepared to assist cities 25,000 in population and greater, and the second ordinance for those cities less than 25,000 in population. Local jurisdictions may adjust optional standards not specified in the model ordinances based on local preferences.
A user guide accompanies the middle housing model ordinances that provides background on the content of the model ordinances, link to resources and other guidance related to implementation of middle housing.
In March 2024, the Legislature passed HB 2321 (2024), amending part of RCW36.70A.635, HB 1110 (2023). Commerce has updated the middle housing model ordinances and user guide to reflect these changes and also respond to issues raised since their original publication.
