Washington Zoning & Land Use Laws
Zoning regulations, ADU laws, short-term rental rules, and land use policies for Washington. Source-cited from state legislation and municipal codes.
Total Cities
281
Total Counties
39
ADU State Law
Yes
Lot Split Law
No state law
Cottage Food Law
Yes
Cities With Data
3
Washington ADU Law
Washington has a statewide ADU law — Washington House Bill 1337 (HB 1337) — Expanding Housing Options Through ADUs — effective 2023-07-23. This law preempts local ordinances — cities and counties cannot impose restrictions stricter than the state standard. Key provisions include: Requires all Washington cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA) to allow at least 2 ADUs per single-family residential lot by-right; Prohibits local owner-occupancy requirements for ADUs — neither the primary dwelling nor the ADU must be owner-occupied; Removes off-street parking requirements for ADUs located within 0.25 miles of a major transit stop, and 5 more. The most recent amendment was HB 1110 (2023): Companion middle housing legislation requiring cities with 25,000+ population to allow at least 4 units per lot in areas with frequent transit service, and at least 2 units per lot in all other single-family zones. Alongside HB 1337, significantly expands missing middle housing in Washington.
View full WashingtonADU law details →Cottage Food Law
Washington Cottage Food Operations law (RCW 69.22, effective 2011, amended 2015 and 2021) allows production and direct sale of non-potentially-hazardous cottage food products from a home kitchen. No annual revenue cap for direct-to-consumer sales. Cottage food may be sold at farmers markets, roadside stands, and home-based sales. Products must be labeled with producer name, address, product name, ingredients, net weight, and allergen information. No state license required for cottage food, but producers must register as a business with Washington Department of Revenue and collect retail sales tax on applicable sales. County health departments may require a food handler's permit. Washington RCW 69.22 allows an expanded list of cottage food products compared to many states, including baked goods, jams and jellies, candy, dried herbs, roasted nuts, and honey. Potentially hazardous foods (meats, dairy products, foods requiring refrigeration) are not permitted as cottage food. Washington Department of Agriculture website: https://agr.wa.gov/businesses-commodities/food-businesses/cottage-food
State Preemption Active
Washington state law preempts local zoning ordinances in several areas. Local governments cannot enact rules stricter than the state baseline.
Learn about Washingtonzoning preemption →Recent Legislative Changes
2023 — HB 1337
Comprehensive ADU reform legislation signed into law July 23, 2023. Requires all GMA-planning jurisdictions to allow 2 ADUs per residential lot, removes owner-occupancy requirements, reduces parking mandates near transit, sets minimum ADU size allowances (1,000 sqft or 60% of primary dwelling). Effective July 23, 2023; local code compliance required by July 1, 2024.
2023 — HB 1110
Companion middle housing legislation requiring cities with 25,000+ population to allow at least 4 units per lot in areas with frequent transit service, and at least 2 units per lot in all other single-family zones. Alongside HB 1337, significantly expands missing middle housing in Washington.
Washington Cities with Zoning Data
Source: Washington House Bill 1337 (HB 1337) — Expanding Housing Options Through ADUs. Last verified April 5, 2026. View source