Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Local Government Committee
HB 1212
Brief Description: Concerning the siting of child care centers.
Sponsors: Representatives Alvarado, Duerr, Reed, Berry, Leavitt, Mena, Macri, Callan, Fosse, Simmons, Peterson, Street, Wylie, Kloba, Ormsby and Hill.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires childcare centers to be permitted as outright permitted uses in all zones except industrial zones.
Hearing Date: 1/21/25
Staff: Elizabeth Allison (786-7129).
Background:

Zoning and Conditional Uses.

Zoning codes have designations for land uses including outright permitted uses, conditionally permitted uses, and prohibited uses.? An outright permitted use means the land use is allowed outright in a given zone, subject to the local jurisdiction's zoning codes.? A conditionally permitted use means the land use must meet certain conditions, such as mitigation of foreseeable negative impacts, in order to be permitted.? A prohibited use means a parcel of land may not be developed in certain listed manners.

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Periodic Comprehensive Plan Updates.

Cities and counties that plan under the Growth Management Act must update their comprehensive plans on a staggered cycle every 10 years.
Summary of Bill:

Cities and towns are required to allow child care centers as outright permitted uses in all zones except industrial zones.? Cities may impose reasonable restrictions on the permit.? Cities must incorporate this requirement by adopting or amending through ordinance, and incorporate into their development regulations, no later than one year after the next comprehensive plan update, or within one year of the bill's effective date.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 15, 2025.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.