Commissioner warns state housing bills could limit Lake Stevens’ local control
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Summary
Commissioner Connor Davis urged colleagues to study and comment on several state bills he said could restrict local authority on camping bans and zoning; staff described potential impacts to permitting pathways and multifamily/commercial district rules.
Commissioner Connor Davis used his commissioner’s report Feb. 18 to urge fellow commissioners to review several state bills he said could erode local control over housing and camping rules.
Davis described provisions in one bill that define "adequate shelter" in ways he said could make local enforcement of camping bans difficult. He summarized the bill’s conditions for shelter as: it must be offered at no cost; accommodate pets, partners and family members; allow individuals to keep their possessions; and be low-barrier (not require sobriety or treatment). "Under the bill, shelter is only considered adequate if it 1, is available at no cost; 2, accommodates pets, partners, and family members; 3, allows the individual to keep their possessions; and 4, is what is considered to be low barrier," Davis said.
The commission’s planning director later explained implications of related legislation, noting that some proposals (sometimes described as "step housing" or amendments to multifamily and commercial districts) could remove local permitting pathways and make certain residential uses outright permitted, limiting cities’ ability to require local permitting conditions.
Commissioners responded with advice to engage with legislators and, if desired, testify on the bills. The chair also reported on the fate of one bill in recent news and staff offered to continue providing legislative updates on matters affecting local planning.
Next steps: Commissioners were encouraged to follow legislation closely and contact elected representatives; staff offered to prepare more detailed legislative briefings on request.
