Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5729: Housing permitting
Status: Passed one chamber, March 12, 2026
Encouraging construction of affordable housing by streamlining the permitting process.
What the bill says
An act Relating to encouraging construction of affordable housing by streamlining the permitting process; amending RCW 36.70B.070, 36.70B.050, 36.70B.140, and 18.43.035; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to encouraging construction of affordable housing by streamlining the permitting process; amending RCW 36.70B.070, 36.70B.050, 36.70B.140, and 18.43.035; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that there is a housing crisis in Washington state. There is a need to expedite the permit approval process. Permitting buildings is one area that has been identified as a hindrance to increasing the number of housing units. The legislature finds that streamlining processing of building permits is a powerful way to combat the lack of housing in this state. Sec. 2. RCW 36.70B.070 and 2023 c 338 s 6 are each amended to read as follows: (1)(a) Within 28 days after receiving a project permit application, a local government planning pursuant to RCW 36.70A.040 shall provide a written determination to the applicant. (b) The written determination must state or (ii) That the application is incomplete and that the procedural submission requirements of the local government have not been met. The determination shall outline what is necessary to make the application procedurally complete. (c) The number of days shall be calculated by counting every calendar day. (d) To the extent known by the local government, the local government shall identify other agencies of local, state, or federal governments that may have jurisdiction over some aspect of the …
Sponsors
- Chris Gildon (R) · primary sponsor
- Perry Dozier (R)
- Phil Fortunato (R)
Latest actions
- : By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
- : Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
- : Referred to Rules 2 Review.
- : LG - Majority; do pass.
- : Executive action taken in the House Committee on Local Government at 8:00 AM.
- : Public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government at 10:30 AM.
- : First reading, referred to Local Government.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : 1st substitute bill substituted
Votes
- House Committee on Local Government: Do pass (February 25, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 12, 2026): 48 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Housing: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5729 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass (February 4, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 6, 2025): 47 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Housing: Do pass (February 21, 2025): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: HOUSING AND HOMES, LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Common questions
- What is SB5729?
- SB5729 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Housing permitting.
- What does SB5729 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to encouraging construction of affordable housing by streamlining the permitting process; amending RCW 36.70B.070, 36.70B.050, 36.70B.140, and 18.43.035; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of SB5729?
- Passed one chamber as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (March 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5729?
- Chris Gildon (R), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB5729?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5729&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.