Washington Legislative Update & Summer Home Care Guide, June 2026

What Spokane property owners and rental investors need to know about four new laws from the 2026 session — SB 6026, SB 6027, HB 2418, and HB 1974 — plus practical summer maintenance guidance for residents on A/C prep, appliance care, and keeping bathrooms mold-free.

The 2026 legislative session was short — just 60 days — but it kept its focus squarely on Washington’s housing shortage. Of roughly 130 bills filed with potential impact on communities planning under the Growth Management Act, only 16 reached Governor Ferguson’s desk. The ones that did will reshape where housing can be built, how it gets funded, and how fast permits move. Most take effect June 11, 2026.

The headline. Four bills matter most for owners and investors in Spokane and Eastern Washington: residential development unlocked in commercial zones (SB 6026), retooled local funding for affordable housing (SB 6027), faster and more accountable permit review (HB 2418), and new land banking authorities for affordable housing development (HB 1974). Below is what each one means in practice, followed by our summer home care guide for residents.

SB 6026 — Residential Development in Commercial and Mixed-Use Zones

SB 6026 takes direct aim at the housing shortage by requiring cities with more than 30,000 residents — Spokane and Spokane Valley both qualify — and non-rural counties to allow residential uses in areas zoned commercial or mixed-use within their urban growth areas, with limited exceptions.

Why it matters. Underused commercial corridors and strip-retail parcels become potential housing sites. For investors, that means new conversion and ground-up development opportunities in locations that were previously off the table, and over time, more rental supply in commercial districts. Local ordinances implementing the change are due by December 2027, so watch how Spokane and Spokane Valley write their codes.

SB 6027 — Funding and Exemptions for Affordable Housing

SB 6027 adjusts the local tax authorities that fund the development and operation of affordable housing, emergency shelter, and behavioral health services. The bill changes allowable uses, interlocal planning requirements, and definitions for several locally adopted taxes — including the local sales and use tax for housing and related services, the mental health and chemical dependency sales tax, the affordable and supportive housing sales tax, and property tax exemptions for emergency housing.

Why it matters. The mechanics are technical, but the effect is local: how Spokane County and area cities deploy housing dollars — and which projects qualify for tax exemptions — is shifting. Owners with properties in or near subsidized or mixed-income developments should expect changes in how local programs are structured and funded.

HB 2418 — Streamlined Permit Review

Building on SB 5290 (2023), HB 2418 further refines the Local Project Review Act (RCW 36.70B) to speed up residential permit review. Key provisions:

• A local government’s completeness determination on a permit application is now procedural, not substantive — reducing a common source of early-stage delay.
• State agencies are now subject to the same review timelines as local governments, including the 20% fee refund when deadlines are missed.
• Local governments must designate a single point of contact for residential permit applications, who also serves as the SEPA responsible official when one is needed.

Why it matters. If you are planning a renovation, an ADU, or new construction, the permit clock now has real teeth — on both local and state reviewers. A single point of contact should mean fewer hand-off delays and clearer accountability when a project stalls.

HB 1974 — Land Banking Authorities

HB 1974 authorizes cities and counties to establish land banking authorities — operated by public corporations, housing authorities, or nonprofits — to acquire and hold property while preparing it for affordable housing development. At least 50% of land or property leased or sold by a land bank must carry covenants or deed restrictions keeping the housing affordable for at least 30 years, with annual reporting requirements.

Why it matters. If Spokane or Spokane County opts in, a land bank becomes a new public player in the local land market — potentially acquiring distressed or surplus parcels for future affordable development. Owners and investors should track whether local governments move to establish one, as it can affect both disposition opportunities and neighborhood development patterns.

Summer Home Care: Three Things Every Resident Should Do This Month

Eastern Washington summers are hot, dry, and hard on homes. A little preventive care in June saves residents discomfort — and owners repair costs — in July and August. Here is what we recommend to every resident in our portfolio.

1. Get Your A/C Ready Before the First Heat Wave

• Replace or clean the filter. A clogged filter is the single most common cause of weak cooling and frozen coils. Check it monthly during summer.
• Test the system early. Run the A/C on a mild day. If it blows warm, short-cycles, or makes unusual noise, submit a maintenance request now — HVAC vendors book out fast once temperatures hit the 90s.
• Clear the outdoor condenser. Keep at least two feet of clearance around the unit and gently rinse dust and cottonwood fluff off the fins with a hose (power off first).
• Using a window or portable unit? Make sure it is properly secured, the window can still lock, and condensation drains outside — and give your landlord or manager the required two days’ written notice before installing a window-mounted unit.
• Help it work less. Close blinds on south- and west-facing windows in the afternoon and run ceiling fans counterclockwise.

2. Give Your Appliances a Summer Tune-Up

• Refrigerator: Vacuum the condenser coils (back or underneath) so it doesn’t overwork in the heat, and check that door gaskets seal tight.
• Dishwasher: Pull and rinse the bottom filter, then run an empty hot cycle with a cup of white vinegar to clear buildup and odors.
• Dryer: Clean the lint screen every load, and check that the exterior vent flap opens freely. Lint buildup is a leading cause of house fires — report long dry times right away.
• Garbage disposal: Freshen with ice cubes and citrus peel; avoid grease, coffee grounds, and fibrous scraps.
• Range hood: Degrease the filter in hot soapy water so it actually moves cooking heat and moisture out of the kitchen.

3. Keep Mold and Mildew Out of the Bathroom

• Run the exhaust fan during every shower and for 20 to 30 minutes after. If your bathroom has no fan, crack a window and leave the door open.
• Knock down standing moisture. A quick squeegee or towel wipe of shower walls after use removes the water mold needs to grow.
• Wash or replace shower curtains and liners regularly, and keep them spread open to dry rather than bunched.
• Clean early, clean small. Hit grout lines and caulk with a bathroom cleaner or diluted white vinegar weekly — spots are easy to remove when they’re new.
• Report leaks immediately. A dripping supply line or a soft spot near the tub is a maintenance issue, not a cleaning issue. The sooner we know, the smaller the fix.

Disclaimer. This article is intended as a general information resource for property owners and residents and is not legal advice. Bills referenced are subject to amendment, codification, and judicial interpretation. Source material includes the Washington State Department of Commerce Growth Management Services 2026 legislative update. Owners with questions about how these changes apply to a specific property should consult qualified Washington counsel.