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Panelists and counties back HB 1345 to allow detached ADUs outside urban growth areas with guardrails
Summary
House Bill 1345, which would allow detached accessory dwelling units outside urban growth areas under specified development limits and permitting guardrails, drew broad support from builders, county officials, policy groups and housing advocates who said the measure provides a narrow, workable tool for rural housing.
The Senate Housing Committee on Feb. 4 heard House Bill 1345, a measure that would permit detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) outside urban growth areas in counties that choose to allow them, provided counties adopt development regulations and safeguards.
Staff summarized key guardrails: no parcel may have more than one ADU (attached or detached); metering of water withdrawals for each dwelling unit; documentation that septic or sewer systems can handle additional demand; a maximum gross floor area of 1,296 square feet for detached ADUs; requirement that detached ADUs share driveway access with the principal unit and be sited within 150 feet of the principal unit; prohibition on detached ADUs on nonconforming lots under one acre; and requirements for voluntary code compliance and civil infractions for unpermitted ADUs.
Proponents representing builders and local government emphasized that HB 1345 provides clarity and a narrow path for rural homeowners to add small units while preserving local planning and environmental safeguards. Alex Herr of the Master Builders Association and Andrea Smiley of the Building Industry Association said the bill offers counties a clear roadmap and retroactive permitting options for existing detached ADUs. San Juan County Council Chair Justin Paulson said the measure would be a useful tool in rural counties that have limited urban designations.
Policy groups and advocates also supported the bill: Christina Mojica of the Reason Foundation called HB 1345 "an important piece" that allows detached ADUs under statewide standards; Sightline Institute and the Citizen Action Defense Fund testified in favor, calling the measure narrowly tailored and consistent with Growth Management Act principles. County officials (Brian Enslow, Washington State Association of Counties) praised the bill as a negotiated product that helps counties be better partners on housing.
During executive session the committee also adopted substantive amendments to SB 5470 (a Senate companion on ADU limits) and moved substitutes for several other housing bills; senators debated rural impacts, metering, and enforcement pathways before voice votes.
What happens next: HB 1345 had passed the House and received robust proponent testimony in the Senate committee. The sponsor was unavailable for today’s hearing; committee members indicated they would consider testimony and amendments as the bill moves through the Senate process.
