Many Washington neighborhoods dominated by single-family homes could soon be open to townhomes, fourplexes and other denser types of housing, under proposals advanced by state lawmakers during the last week.
Lawmakers in the House Committee on Local Government voted Tuesday morning to advance a bill that would require many cities in the state to allow different types of housing on land currently zoned for detached single-family homes. Members of a state Senate advanced a similar, but more far-reaching, bill last week. The proposals now face more committee votes and full votes in each chamber in order to reach the governor's desk.
The progress of the upzoning bills represents a notable shift for a policy that once seemed untouchable, especially in local politics. The proposals are gaining traction as housing prices skyrocket, inventory of homes for sale hits rock bottom and more people become aware of the history of housing segregation. In recent years, California and Oregon have passed statewide legislation to allow more density.
