ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2266
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2026 Regular Session
By House Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives Peterson, Macri, Ryu, Parshley, Ramel, Scott, Mena, Reed, Obras, Fitzgibbon, Street, Thomas, Taylor, Doglio, Gregerson, Ormsby, Goodman, Reeves, Farivar, Fosse, Bergquist, Salahuddin, Hill, Pollet, and Wylie)
READ FIRST TIME 02/04/26.
AN ACT Relating to encouraging permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, and indoor emergency shelters; amending RCW 35.21.683 , 35A.21.430 , and 36.130.020 ; reenacting and amending RCW 36.70A.030 ; adding a new section to chapter 36.70A RCW; and creating new sections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that Washington state faces an acute shortage of housing affordable to households at all income levels, resulting in housing insecurity and a growing number of people experiencing homelessness. The legislature further finds that local regulatory barriers, inconsistent siting standards, and discretionary review processes have constrained the timely development of permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, and indoor emergency shelters. It is the intent of the legislature to increase housing supply and advance fair housing by requiring these housing types to be permitted in urban areas on the same terms as other types of lodging and residential development, subject only to objective and nondiscriminatory development standards necessary to protect public health and safety. By streamlining permitting processes and ensuring consistent treatment across jurisdictions, the legislature intends to avoid unnecessary cost increases associated with delays and to facilitate the prompt delivery of safe, dignified, and stable housing and to support statewide efforts to address homelessness and the housing crisis.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 36.70A RCW to read as follows: