WA SB5148

Counties and cities may voluntarily submit housing elements and development regulations to the Department of Commerce for compliance review, with decisions issued within 90 days; housing elements do not take effect until the department approves them

The department may select up to 10 cities or counties annually for mandatory "targeted review" based on criteria including failure to accommodate housing needs, housing production below 50% of regional average, or over 80% single-family construction for higher-income households

Noncompliant jurisdictions cannot deny affordable or moderate-income housing developments unless specific exceptions apply, and must require 25-year affordability covenants for projects with at least 20% affordable units, 50% workforce housing, or 100% moderate-income units

Within six months of the effective date, the department must publish minimum objective compliance standards; the department must also maintain a public compliance list tracking each jurisdiction's review status

Adoption of housing element regulations implementing RCW 36.70A.070(2) is exempt from administrative or judicial appeals under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)