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SB 5552

Permitting military exercises on state park property.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Matt Boehnke and 10 co-sponsors

Directs SBCC to adopt kit-home provisions (prefab, 800 sq ft or smaller) in the State Building Code; sets rulemaking deadline by Nov 1, 2026; expands affordable housing options.

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
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Bill Summary · SB 5552

Summary — SB 5552 (69th Leg., 2025 Regular Session)

Important note: SB 5552 originated in 2023 as a bill authorizing military exercises on state park land, but in the 2025 session the bill was fully rewritten (substituted) to address creation of a new building-code category for small "kit homes." This summary describes the 2025 substitute version (kit-home legislation) and the bill’s most recent committee amendments.

Purpose / Intent

To direct the State Building Code Council (SBCC) to create and adopt portions of the State Building Code specifically applicable to “kit homes” — small, prefabricated residential units intended to expand affordable, entry-level housing options.

Key provisions

  • Defines “kit homes” as residential structures comprised of prefabricated walls, floors, and roofs assembled on-site and 800 square feet or smaller. (Committee amendment clarified exclusions for temporary emergency shelters in some drafts.)
  • Instructs the State Building Code Council to conduct rulemaking on the portions of the State Building Code that apply to kit homes:
    • Original substitute: rulemaking no later than December 31, 2025.
    • Committee amendment (majority report): date changed to no later than November 1, 2026.
  • Authorizes the SBCC to thereafter update the Code provisions for kit homes as needed.
  • Reenacts and amends RCW 19.27.015 to add “kit homes” to the chapter’s definitions and related code terminology.

Who is affected

  • State Building Code Council — required to undertake rulemaking on an off‑cycle topic and incorporate a new code category.
  • Kit-home manufacturers and sellers — new statewide code would clarify construction/permitting standards.
  • Homebuyers of modest means — potentially expanded affordable housing options.
  • Local governments and permitting authorities — will implement/permit kit homes under the new code.
  • Building officials and inspectors — will apply and enforce any new kit-home code provisions.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • SBCC rulemaking deadline: committee amendment sets November 1, 2026 (earlier drafts set December 31, 2025).
  • Effective date of the act (if passed in this form): 90 days after adjournment of the session in which it is passed.
  • No appropriation is included in the bill; a fiscal note is available.
  • Public testimony (House Local Government hearing): proponents highlighted kit homes as a longstanding, low-cost housing option; no organized opposition reported in committee.

Legislative history (selected)

  • 2023: Original bill (S-0491.1) concerned permitting military exercises on state park property.
  • 2025: Bill was substituted/substantially rewritten to address kit homes (substitute passed the House on 3/4/2025, 49–0).
  • 2025 committee action: House Local Government reported “do pass as amended”; amendments adjusted the rulemaking deadline and refined the kit-home definition.
  • Status entries show the bill was reintroduced/retained by resolution and was in committee as of 6/28/2025.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Positive: Establishing a clear statewide code could streamline permitting and support deployment of small, lower-cost homes (ADUs, primary units) as a tool in addressing housing affordability.
  • Administrative: SBCC will need to perform rulemaking, possibly off its normal three‑year adoption cycle — this may strain staff resources unless supported.
  • Fiscal: The bill contains no funding; implementation costs for SBCC, local jurisdictions, and training for inspectors would need evaluation (see fiscal note).
  • Scope/clarity: Definitions and exclusions (for example, whether temporary pallet shelters are included) were debated and amended in committee; final statutory language will determine regulatory reach.

If you want, I can:
- Produce a one-page legislative tracker showing all major amendments and dates,
- Extract and compare the different draft definitions and deadlines across versions, or
- Summarize the fiscal note and likely workload implications for SBCC and local governments.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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