Issues&Impacts
Back to News Center Issues related to public safety and crime came to a head a few years ago when three apparently unrelated high-profile murders occurred in Federal Way within 24 hours. Some commenters blamed concentrations of multifamily housing for the deaths. Others thought efforts to defund police, constrain the…
Read More Back to News Center Seattle King County REALTORS® has been engaged in the Seattle budget process to ensure the record general fund budget deficits of $251 million in 2025 and $498 million in 2026 were not closed by levying new taxes. We commented formally and advocated to encourage transparency and…
Read More Back to News Center Effective January 1, 2025, the city of Black Diamond lifted its moratorium on new retail cannabis establishments. The moratorium had been in place since 2013. The effort to lift the ban began in January of last year in response to a proposal by city council member…
Read More Back to News Center At its final meeting of 2024, the Renton City Council approved the state-mandated update of its comprehensive plan to guide and facilitate the city’s growth over the next 20 years. The changes are intended to accommodate 17,000 new housing units and almost 32,000 jobs in Renton…
Read More Back to News Center On election night in November, the Kent School District’s ballot proposition was losing with just 49.11% of the vote. Because it was a levy, and not a bond, 50% approval is required for passage. When all the votes were tallied, it passed with 50.77%. Citizens for…
Read More Back to News Center On November 27, the SeaTac City Council voted unanimously to pass an ordinance with no increase in the city’s 2025 property tax levy. Additionally, the city chose not to take advantage of the opportunity to increase property taxes based on its “banked capacity” to do so.…
Read More Back to News Center Sign code updates are in play in the cities of Bellevue, Lake Forest Parks, and Duvall. Deliberation was paused on that work so comprehensive plans can be completed. We expect work to resume in the first quarter of 2025.
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Back to News Center 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: Mayor Harrell Announces ADU Proposal “Rent-Back” Protection Following Closing Woodinville Landlord-Tenant Issues Schools and Public Safety ADUs…
Read More Back to News Center In September, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced a package of new legislation to streamline the permitting process and increase production of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in Seattle, creating more diverse and affordable housing opportunities. “Making progress on Seattle’s urgent housing affordability needs requires not only increasing overall…
Read More Back to News Center In 2023, REALTORS® won an important victory when the legislature exempted short-term seller rent-back agreements from the coverage of the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA). However, a trial court eviscerated the exemption in Federal Way where voters approved eviction protections for tenants that are broader than…
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