The Senate today unanimously approved a bill from 4th District Sen. Mike Padden that would help encourage home ownership in Washington by making it easier for smaller condominium buildings to be constructed.
Senate Bill 5058 would exempt buildings with 12 or fewer units that are no more than two stories high from the definition of “multiunit residential building.” The Senate passed it 48-0.
“Washington has one of the lower homeownership rates in the nation, and this bill would help our state address this problem,” said Padden, who mentioned that the bill has received support from cities with limited land area.
“These smaller condominiums would still have the same building requirements that a townhouse or single-family house would have,” added Padden.
The video of Padden’s floor speech in support of SB 5058 can be viewed here.
During its public hearing in the Senate Law and Justice Committee in January, the bill received support from several groups and individuals, including Spokane Valley City Council member Arne Woodard, who told the committee, “Throughout Washington state, including the Spokane Valley, we need more homeownership opportunities. Condominiums provide a great opportunity for homeownership…To capture homeownership opportunities, we need to change those Washington state laws that are preventing condominiums from being constructed. We need to cut the red tape. Senate Bill 5058 does exactly that for small condominiums with 12 units or less.”
Others testifying in favor of SB 5058 included the Building Industry Association of Washington, Master Builders, Washington Realtors and Jim Frank of Greenshore New Beginning Homes. TVW’s coverage of the bill’s hearing can be viewed here.
SB 5058 now goes to the House of Representatives for further consideration.