Bill would require cities to allow childcare centers as an outright use in most zones, sponsors say

Senator Emily Alvarado told the committee at a public hearing that Senate Bill 5509 would require cities and towns that plan under the Growth Management Act to allow childcare centers as an outright permitted use in nearly all zones except industrial, light-industrial and open-space zones, while allowing municipalities to impose reasonable conditions on those permits.

The bill aims to address what Alvarado described as a statewide shortage: "63% of Washingtonians are living in a childcare desert, which means that there are 3 children for every 1 licensed childcare slot," she said, arguing that zoning reform would make facilities easier to open and allow adaptive reuse of existing buildings.

Supporters said zoning limits are a major barrier to adding capacity. Alex Galena, executive director of the Children’s Campaign Fund Action, told lawmakers that lack of nearby childcare forces parents out of the workforce and costs businesses. "When parents cannot find care, they miss work, they lose jobs, they gotta leave the workforce entirely," Galena said, adding an estimate that employers lose about $2,500,000,000 a year due to childcare-related turnover and missed work. Parent Alexis Cortez described traveling outside her district to find childcare and urged passage: "This will put more pressure on families seeking child care, causing an epidemic of desperate, quote, unquote, Facebook sitter searches and loss of work."

Provisions clarified in staff briefing and sponsor remarks include: cities that plan under the Growth Management Act and that must update their comprehensive plans in 2027 would be required to incorporate the zoning change in the next plan cycle and must complete the update within two years; cities are not prohibited from allowing childcare in industrial or light-industrial zones if they choose; and the bill would require local governments to grant conditional-use approval for on-site childcare in industrial and light-industrial zones except in or near high-hazard facilities, the staff briefing said. Elizabeth House, committee staff, explained the zoning categories and the distinction between outright permitted and conditionally permitted uses.

Committee members asked whether the bill addresses licensing, staffing and subsidy rate issues; Alvarado said it does not, describing the bill as "one small piece" that focuses on availability rather than licensing or wage/subsidy policy. Representative Stevie asked whether the bill helps with the workforce needed to run centers; Alvarado said that separate legislation addresses licensing and subsidy rates.

Witnesses offered local examples. Scott Vanhoo Kean, an urban planner and parent, cited a Lakewood study that found childcare permitted on a very small share of land area and said flexibility in industrial or light-industrial zones can work in practice: "My daughter has gone to a center in a light industrial zone, and it worked fine. We greatly appreciated having the option relatively near our home and work." He added that some industrial zones have less truck traffic or air pollution and can be suitable in particular locations.

The bill also intersects with other land-use measures: committee members discussed whether a separate parking-minimums bill applies to childcare; staff later confirmed that parking change provisions do apply to childcare in some circumstances. No vote was taken; the committee closed the public hearing and moved to the next bill.

Ending: The committee held a public hearing on the bill with multiple providers, parents and advocates testifying in support; no committee action or vote was recorded at the hearing.