Minimum parking requirements.

RCW 35A.21.445
in effect
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(1) A code city may not require more than 0.5 parking space per multifamily dwelling unit or more than one parking space per single-family home. (2) A code city may not require more than two parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of commercial space. (3) A code city may not require any minimum parking requirements for: (a) Residences under 1,200 square feet; (b) Commercial spaces under 3,000 square feet; (c) Affordable housing; (d) Senior housing; (e) Child care centers as defined in RCW 43.216.010 that are licensed or certified by the department of children, youth, and families; (f) Ground level nonresidential spaces in mixed-use buildings; and (g) A building undergoing a change of use from a nonresidential to a residential use or a change of use for a commercial use. (4) For purposes of this section: (a) "Affordable housing" has the same meaning as in RCW 36.70A.030 . (b) "Commercial use" means use for nonresidential business purposes, including retail, office, wholesale, general merchandise, and food services. (5) This section does not apply to requirements for parking spaces permanently marked for the exclusive use of individuals with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with disabilities act. (6) The provisions of this section do not apply: (a) To code cities with a population of 30,000 or less, as determined by the population estimate of the office of financial management under RCW 43.62.030 ; (b) If a code city submits to the department of commerce an empirical study prepared by a credentialed transportation or land use planning expert that clearly demonstrates, and the department finds and certifies, that the application of the parking limitations of this section will be significantly less safe for vehicle drivers or passengers, pedestrians, or bicyclists than the code city's current parking requirements; or (c) To portions of code cities within a one-mile radius of a commercial airport in Washington with at least 9,000,000 annual enplanements. (7) Code cities may require parking in excess of the limitations in this section for religious organizations and parking requirements for carpools. (8) Code cities are not prohibited from requiring temporary or time-restricted parking. Code cities are encouraged to consider the adequacy of drop-off space, waiting space, and accessibility in the design review process when considering the limitations on parking requirements. (9) Code cities that have adopted substantially similar policies to the requirements established in this section may apply to the department of commerce for a determination of compliance with the requirements of this section. In determining what is substantially similar, the department of commerce shall consider whether: (a) The code city's parking requirements as of July 2025 have the same or lower parking minimums than the requirements of this section; (b) The code city's parking requirements are equal to the average number of parking stalls required per residential unit and the average number of parking stalls required per 1,000 square feet of commercial space; and (c) The code city's parking requirements for affordable housing, senior housing, housing for people with disabilities, and child care facilities are equivalent to the requirements of this section. (10) Code cities may submit a request for a variance from the requirements of this section to the department of commerce if compliance with the requirements of this section would be hazardous to the life, health, and safety of residents as confirmed by a building official or fire marshal, or their designees. A request for a variance may include requests to require additional parking spaces permanently marked for the exclusive use of individuals with disabilities beyond those required for compliance with the Americans with disabilities act based on the planned or likely population, location, or safety of a building, using objective standards. (11) Code cities with a population between 30,000 and 50,000 shall implement the requirements of this section within three years of July 27, 2025. Code cities with a population of 50,000 or greater shall implement the requirements of chapter 204, Laws of 2025 within 18 months of July 27, 2025. (1) A code city may not require more than 0.5 parking space per multifamily dwelling unit or more than one parking space per single-family home. (2) A code city may not require more than two parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of commercial space. (3) A code city may not require any minimum parking requirements for: (a) Residences under 1,200 square feet; (b) Commercial spaces under 3,000 square feet; (c) Affordable housing; (d) Senior housing; (e) Child care centers as defined in RCW 43.216.010 that are licensed or certified by the department of children, youth, and families; (f) Ground level nonresidential spaces in mixed-use buildings; and (g) A building undergoing a change of use from a nonresidential to a residential use or a change of use for a commercial use. (4) For purposes of this section: (a) "Affordable housing" has the same meaning as in RCW 36.70A.030 . (b) "Commercial use" means use for nonresidential business purposes, including retail, office, wholesale, general merchandise, and food services. (5) This section does not apply to requirements for parking spaces permanently marked for the exclusive use of individuals with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with disabilities act. (6) The provisions of this section do not apply: (a) To code cities with a population of 30,000 or less, as determined by the population estimate of the office of financial management under RCW 43.62.030 ; (b) If a code city submits to the department of commerce an empirical study prepared by a credentialed transportation or land use planning expert that clearly demonstrates, and the department finds and certifies, that the application of the parking limitations of this section will be significantly less safe for vehicle drivers or passengers, pedestrians, or bicyclists than the code city's current parking requirements; or (c) To portions of code cities within a one-mile radius of a commercial airport in Washington with at least 9,000,000 annual enplanements. (7) Code cities may require parking in excess of the limitations in this section for religious organizations and parking requirements for carpools. (8) Code cities are not prohibited from requiring temporary or time-restricted parking. Code cities are encouraged to consider the adequacy of drop-off space, waiting space, and accessibility in the design review process when considering the limitations on parking requirements. (9) Code cities that have adopted substantially similar policies to the requirements established in this section may apply to the department of commerce for a determination of compliance with the requirements of this section. In determining what is substantially similar, the department of commerce shall consider whether: (a) The code city's parking requirements as of July 2025 have the same or lower parking minimums than the requirements of this section; (b) The code city's parking requirements are equal to the average number of parking stalls required per residential unit and the average number of parking stalls required per 1,000 square feet of commercial space; and (c) The code city's parking requirements for affordable housing, senior housing, housing for people with disabilities, and child care facilities are equivalent to the requirements of this section. (10) Code cities may submit a request for a variance from the requirements of this section to the department of commerce if compliance with the requirements of this section would be hazardous to the life, health, and safety of residents as confirmed by a building official or fire marshal, or their designees. A request for a variance may include requests to require additional parking spaces permanently marked for the exclusive use of individuals with disabilities beyond those required for compliance with the Americans with disabilities act based on the planned or likely population, location, or safety of a building, using objective standards. (11) Code cities with a population between 30,000 and 50,000 shall implement the requirements of this section within three years of July 27, 2025. Code cities with a population of 50,000 or greater shall implement the requirements of chapter 204, Laws of 2025 within 18 months of July 27, 2025.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=35A.21&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026

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RCW 35A.21.445 — Minimum parking requirements | Revised Code of Washington | Corpus