Advocacy
CAOs Must Balance Environment and Housing
CAOs Must Balance Environment and Housing Back to News Center October 22, 2025 Under Washington’s Growth Management Act (GMA), every city is required to adopt and enforce a Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) to protect environmentally sensitive areas and safeguard the public from natural hazards. Cities must update their CAOs every 10 years using the Best…
Read MoreBurien Residents Seek to Overturn Ordinance
Burien Residents Seek to Overturn Ordinance Back to News Center October 22, 2025 Under the leadership of Burien Mayor Kevin Schilling, and with the help of a skilled planning staff, the city of Burien not only met the minimum requirements of State comprehensive planning legislation, but the city council also stepped up to address the…
Read MoreSeattle Council President Streamlines Permits
Seattle Council President Streamlines Permits Back to News Center October 22, 2025 REALTOR®-supported Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson has delivered on a campaign promise to cut red tape with new legislation that will reduce barriers and allow small businesses to setup storefronts faster and cheaper. SKCR believes energizing small retail businesses will add safety…
Read MoreSeattle Passes Ban on Predatory Home-Buying
Seattle Passes Ban on Predatory Home-Buying Back to News Center October 22, 2025 Seattle King County REALTORS® was proud to support legislation in Seattle sponsored by REALTOR®-supported Mayor Bruce Harrell, Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth, and Councilmember Mark Solomon to prohibit predatory home-buying. The legislation will encourage prospective home-sellers to consult and retain experts like REALTORS® before…
Read MoreREALTORS® Help Clarify Rental Price-Fixing Issue
REALTORS® Help Clarify Rental Price-Fixing Issue Back to News Center October 22, 2025 There has been growing concern over the use of software services that provide algorithmic analysis of public and non-public data to assist landlords with setting rental prices and other leasing terms (algorithmic rent-setting tools). Lawsuits and legislative materials allege these services reduce…
Read MoreFederal Way Code Changes for New Housing
Federal Way Code Changes for New Housing Back to News Center October 22, 2025 Seattle King County REALTORS® continue to support Federal Way’s proactive efforts to address the housing crisis through zoning reform, partnerships, and strategic planning. Earlier this year, REALTORS® backed code changes to promote middle housing and streamline the development of owner-occupied townhomes—making…
Read MoreKing County Energy Mandate Removed
King County Energy Mandate Removed Back to News Center October 22, 2025 For many years, environmental advocates have lobbied to require residential energy audits and energy upgrades mandated at the point of sale. A proposal in King County would have prevented sellers from closing a transaction until they conducted an energy audit, made the score…
Read MoreSeattle Proposes B&O Tax Increase
Seattle Proposes B&O Tax Increase Back to News Center October 22, 2025 This fall, Seattle voters will be asked to decide on an increase to the city’s Business & Occupation (B&O) tax. The proposal comes from Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck and could have significant implications for REALTORS®, real estate firms,…
Read MoreDesign Review Reform in Enumclaw
Design Review Reform in Enumclaw Back to News Center October 22, 2025 Enumclaw is the latest city in King County to take steps toward streamlining its permitting process by reforming its design review procedures. In January 2025, Jeff Potter of Integrity Land LLC submitted a privately initiated code amendment request focused on townhouse development standards.…
Read MoreIssues & Impacts Q2 2025
Issues & Impacts Q2 2025 Back to News Center July 14, 2025 Issues & Impacts is a quarterly publication produced by Seattle King County REALTORS® to inform members about current issues and successes within the Government Affairs Department. IN THIS ISSUE: REALTOR® Advocacy for Housing Supply Planning Commission Assist in Black Diamond Seattle Addresses Tree…
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