1. (1) For counties and cities planning under RCW 36.70A.040, the minimum residential parking requirements of RCW 36.70A.620 and 36.70A.622 shall apply.

   1. (a) For the purposes of this subsection, the following definitions should apply:

      1. (i) "Seniors" means individuals 65 years or older.
      2. (ii) "Transit stop" applies to stops where passengers embark or debark on public transit systems meeting the applicable transit service levels in RCW 36.70A.620, to include stops for conventional bus service, bus rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail, and rail or fixed guideway systems, including transitways.
      3. (iii) A "credentialed transportation or land use planning expert" will have a license, such as a Professional Engineer (PE), or other credential issued by a nationally recognized planning organization, such as the American Planning Association (APA). The person or company preparing the parking study should have at least five years of experience in transportation planning, engineering, or land use with a minimum of two years of experience working on parking issues and related parking studies.
   2. (b) Lack of access to street parking capacity, physical space impediments, or other reasons supported by evidence that would make on-street parking infeasible for the "unit" may be determined by the designated local government decision maker.
   3. (c) Walking distances to transit stops may typically be measured as the distance traveled by road, paths, and sidewalks, or by the direct distance between two points. When measuring distances between two points, conditions that can constrain walkability and reduce the actual area that is in reasonable walking distance of the major transit stop, such as terrain, water bodies, missing pedestrian routes, or infrastructure barriers should be accounted for and documented to more accurately measure walking distance.
   4. (d) When two parking requirement limits are provided, such as "one parking space per bedroom or 0.75 space per unit," the county or city may use either limit.
   5. (e) For the purposes of RCW 36.70A.620(3), market rate multi-family units does not include market rate middle housing units for cities subject to RCW 36.70A.635.

2. (2) When permitting accessory dwelling units as defined by RCW 36.70A.696(1) counties and cities subject to the requirements of RCW 36.70A.681 may not, for accessory dwelling units:

   1. (a) Require any off-street parking within one-half mile walking distance of a major transit stop;
   2. (b) Require more than one off-street parking space per unit on lots smaller than 6,000 square feet before any zero lot line subdivisions or lot splits; and
   3. (c) Require more than two off-street parking spaces per unit on lots greater than 6,000 square feet before any zero lot line subdivisions or lot splits.

3. (3) When permitting middle housing as defined by RCW 36.70A.030(26), cities subject to the requirements of RCW 36.70A.635 shall not:

   1. (a) Require any off-street parking within one-half mile walking distance of a major transit stop.
   2. (b) Require more than one off-street parking space per unit on lots no greater than 6,000 square feet before any zero lot line subdivisions or lot splits; and
   3. (c) Require more than two off-street parking spaces per unit on lots greater than 6,000 square feet before any zero lot line subdivisions or lot splits.

4. (4) The provisions of subsections (2) and (3) of this section do not apply:

   1. (a) To those areas where the department has certified a local government empirical study, prepared by a certified credentialed transportation or land use expert, meeting the requirements of RCW 36.70A.681 (2)(b)(i) or 36.70A.635 (7)(a);or
   2. (b) To portions of cities within a one-mile radius of a commercial airport in Washington with at least 9,000,000 annual enplanements.
5. (5) In cases where the number of off-street parking spaces required by RCW 36.70A.620 conflict with RCW 36.70A.635 or 36.70A.681, the least restrictive off-street parking requirement should apply.

6. (6) The off-street parking requirements of RCW 36.70A.635 and 36.70A.681 should be considered maximums and may be reduced. In considering reducing maximum off-street parking requirements, counties and cities should give consideration to:

   1. (a) Proximity to transit facilities;
   2. (b) Availability of on-street parking in the area;
   3. (c) Predominant lot sizes, and whether off-street parking may restrict development of middle housing types; and
   4. (d) Demand for off-street parking for affordable housing units.

7. (7) Counties and cities shall enforce land use regulations for residential development as follows:

   1. (a) Garages and carports may not be required to meet minimum parking requirements for residential development;
   2. (b) Parking spaces that count towards minimum parking requirements may be enclosed or unenclosed;
   3. (c) Parking spaces in tandem must count towards meeting minimum parking requirements at a rate of one space for every 20 linear feet with any necessary provisions for turning radius;
   4. (d) For purposes of this subsection, "tandem" is defined as having two or more vehicles, one in front of or behind the others with a single means of ingress and egress;
   5. (e) Existence of legally nonconforming gravel surfacing in existing designated parking areas may not be a reason for prohibiting utilization of existing space in the parking area to meet local parking standards, up to a maximum of six parking spaces;
   6. (f) Parking spaces may not be required to exceed eight feet by 20 feet, except for required parking for people with disabilities. Angled parking spaces should be sized to be comparable to an eight foot by 20 foot 90 degree stalls. Backing areas and driveway aisles should be sized to be the minimum needed for one way or two way traffic as applicable, which generally should be no greater than 24 feet for 90 degree stalls;
   7. (g) Any county planning under this chapter, and any cities within those counties with a population greater than 6,000, may not require off-street parking as a condition of permitting a residential project if compliance with tree retention would otherwise make a proposed residential development or redevelopment infeasible. By infeasible, consideration should be given to the need to retain significant trees, and retain trees located where off-street parking and driveways for residential development or redevelopment might be located; and
   8. (h) Parking spaces that consist of grass block pavers may count toward minimum parking requirements.
8. (8) Existing parking spaces that do not conform to the requirements of subsection (7) of this section as of June 6, 2024, are not required to be modified or resized, except for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Existing paved parking lots are not required to change the size of existing parking spaces during resurfacing if doing so will be more costly or require significant reconfiguration of the parking space locations.
9. (9) The provisions in subsection (7) of this section do not apply to portions of cities within a one-mile radius of a commercial airport in Washington with at least 9,000,000 annual enplanements.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 36.70A.050 and 36.70A.190. WSR 25-17-058, s 365-196-875, filed 8/15/25, effective 9/15/25.]