State housing laws require Clallam County to expand allowable housing types, Commerce official says

Anne Fritzl, housing section manager for the Washington State Department of Commerce, told the Clallam County Housing Solutions Committee on May 2 that recent state legislation and planning deadlines require local code changes and new planning work to accommodate expected housing needs.

"We need 1,100,000 units over the next 20 years," Fritzl said, describing the state's projections and the factors Commerce used (OFM population projections, vacancy rate targets and exclusion of second homes and group quarters) to estimate statewide need.

Fritzl said the county must update its housing element by the statutory deadline and demonstrate adequate land capacity and adequate production provisions: "Your responsibility is sure there's enough zoning and incentives in place to allow the housing to occur," she said. She listed several specific requirements and new laws that counties must address, including allowing two accessory dwelling units (ADUs) per lot in urban growth areas, policies for middle…