Issues&Impacts
Back to News Center Issues & Impacts is a quarterly publication produced by Seattle King County REALTORS® to inform members about current issues and successes within the Government Affairs Department. IN THIS ISSUE: Mayor Harrell Announces ADU Proposal “Rent-Back” Protection Following Closing Woodinville Landlord-Tenant Issues Schools and Public Safety ADUs…
Read More Back to News Center In September, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced a package of new legislation to streamline the permitting process and increase production of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in Seattle, creating more diverse and affordable housing opportunities. “Making progress on Seattle’s urgent housing affordability needs requires not only increasing overall…
Read More Back to News Center In 2023, REALTORS® won an important victory when the legislature exempted short-term seller rent-back agreements from the coverage of the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA). However, a trial court eviscerated the exemption in Federal Way where voters approved eviction protections for tenants that are broader than…
Read More Back to News Center The City of Woodinville is exploring whether to add a set of tenant protections similar to Kenmore, Redmond, and Shoreline. Action is expected by the end of the year. SKCR’s goal is to seek a balance balanced approach to landlord tenant regulation that does not unduly…
Read More Back to News Center REALTORS® know “strong schools” and “public safety” are two of the most important factors homebuyers consider when looking for a home in a neighborhood they can afford. Our primary focus remains fixed on “housing supply” and “affordability” because that’s where REALTORS® can provide unique expertise. Even…
Read More Back to News Center Seattle King County REALTORS® is working throughout the region to encourage cities to adopt flexible and bold comprehensive plan policies to not just accommodate, but encourage ADUs and middle housing in their cities, in compliance with HB 1110 and HB 1337. We are encouraging policy makers…
Read More Back to News Center Kittitas REALTORS® identified an emerging issue involving lack of access to homeowner insurance for (a) homeowners needing to renew their coverage, (b) buyers purchasing a property, and (c) properties previously insured under homeowner insurance policies that have expired or been canceled. Increasingly, wildfire-related losses on properties,…
Read More Back to News Center In 2023, Seattle voters approved a nearly $1 billion renewal of the Seattle Housing Levy. Accordingly, this year marks an all-time high, $340 million, in spending on income-qualified/subsidized housing for households earning 80% and below area median income. While SKCR’s focus is on increasing market-rate housing…
Read More Back to News Center All 39 cities in King County are continuing their work to meet the Legislature’s December 31 deadline for each city to update its 20-year comprehensive plan, including new requirements to accommodate middle housing and more ADUs. In addition, cities must meet a June 30, 2025, deadline…
Read More Back to News Center The Board of Health’s Stakeholder Expert Technical Team is in the process of recommending changes to the regulations governing on-site sewer (septic) systems in King County. The revisions, which are required by April 2025, will likely be adopted before the end of this year to ensure…
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