Advocacy
Issues & Impacts Q1 2026
Issues & Impacts Q1 2026 Back to News Center May 1, 2026 This issue of Issues & Impacts captures the accelerating shift toward more housing across King County, as cities advance zoning reforms, parking reductions, permit streamlining, and new housing types to meet state mandates and market demand. From Burien and Kent to Seattle, Bellevue,…
Read MoreAdvancing Co-Living Housing
Advancing Co-Living Housing Back to News Center May 1, 2026 Seattle King County REALTORS® (SKCR) has been closely monitoring and supporting city efforts to comply with new co-living housing mandates adopted by the legislature in 2024. The 2024 co-living housing amendments to state law—now codified as Section 535 of the state‘s Growth Management Act—require that…
Read MoreBurien Down-Zoning Is “Off the Table”
Burien Down-Zoning Is “Off the Table” Back to News Center May 1, 2026 Pushback from Burien residents against city ordinances increasing density have largely been put to rest following a review of city ordinances. In 2025, the Burien City Council approved density increases that exceeded the minimum requirements of HB 1110 and included a reclassification…
Read MoreInfrastructure Improvement Exemptions for Small-Scale Infill Development in Kent
Infrastructure Improvement Exemptions for Small-Scale Infill Development in Kent Back to News Center May 1, 2026 Seattle King County REALTORS® successfully supported code changes in the City of Kent to exempt small infill housing projects of four or fewer units from requirements to expand infrastructure as a pre-condition of construction. The action is part of…
Read MoreSeattle and North King County: More Housing in More Places
Seattle and North King County: More Housing in More Places Back to News Center May 1, 2026 Seattle King County REALTORS® (SKCR) has played a vital role throughout the region in encouraging policymakers to prioritize housing supply, transit‑oriented growth, and permitting reform. We are eager to see the fruits of our labor in the form…
Read MoreFederal Way Planning Commission: Reform Minimum Parking Requirements
Federal Way Planning Commission: Reform Minimum Parking Requirements Back to News Center May 1, 2026 City parking requirements can have significant impacts on the cost of bringing new housing units to the market. Seattle King County REALTORS® is closely monitoring how cities are working to modify their development codes to comply with a 2025 state…
Read MoreBellevue Council Elects REALTOR®-Supported Mayor and Deputy Mayor
Bellevue Council Elects REALTOR®-Supported Mayor and Deputy Mayor Back to News Center April 29, 2026 The Bellevue City Council elected REALTOR®-supported councilmembers Mo Malakoutian and Dave Hamilton as mayor and deputy mayor, respectively, in January. Malakoutian and Hamilton will serve in these roles for the next two years. Malakoutian, still in his first term, succeeds…
Read MoreCity of Kent Begins Phase 3
City of Kent Begins Phase 3 Back to News Center April 29, 2026 Since adopting code changes in the comprehensive plan that were required by the WA legislature in 2025, the city of Kent launched an additional regulatory reform initiative called ReCode Kent – Phase 2. That effort, which is nearly concluded with support from…
Read More2026 RPAC Auction Raised a Record $78,000
2026 RPAC Auction Raised a Record $78,000 Back to News Center April 10, 2026 On April 9, 135 REALTORS® and Affiliates came together for a record-breaking night in support of the REALTOR® Political Action Committee (RPAC). This year’s “Under the Sea”-themed event brought out a full room, the highest attendance in the event’s history, and…
Read MoreWashington REALTORS® Hill Day: When Member Voices Move Policy
Washington REALTORS® Hill Day: When Member Voices Move Policy Back to News Center January 30, 2026 Every year, hundreds of REALTORS® from across the state take time away from their businesses, clients, and families for one simple reason: to show up for our industry. Hill Day is more than a trip to Olympia, it’s a…
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