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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · Jul 15

"less pavement... more corner stores"

When it comes to local zoning reform, it takes herculean political efforts to allow things that most people want.

www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...

Why a WA city is removing parking requirements and allowing corner stores

Bothell is about to get "more Bothell," the city's mayor said. The city says updating its municipal code will make living there more affordable and welcoming.

www.seattletimes.com

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · Jul 15

Sometimes the truth really is this simple:

"A housing tax is a bad way to create housing"

One defense of IZ is that it can enable upzones that wouldn't have been politically feasible otherwise. Unfortunately that comes with the downside of legitimizing bad policy and spreading the cancer.

Inclusionary zoning is a tax on housing

Sometimes, policies have unintended consequences or unforeseen downsides

www.slowboring.com

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · Jul 15

"In reality, the pro-housing movement aims to unrig the housing market, expand access, bring down prices for consumers, and redistribute power and wealth from the rich to everyone else."

YIMBY is succeeding, so of course it triggers the progressive instinct to unleash the circular firing squad.

Ron Davis @ronpdavis.bsky.social · Jul 14

YIMBY is progressive, populist and antitrust. Not centrist. Not Reaganite.

The Atlantic published my piece and I’ve included a gift link.

www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

The Biggest Myth About the YIMBY Movement

There’s nothing centrist or conservative about the push to lower housing costs.

www.theatlantic.com

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · Jul 10

The elected leaders of Bothell, WA, a city of 51k just north of Seattle, rank among the biggest YIMBY heroes nationwide.

There's no lack of evidence that reforms like this are the right thing to do.

But in most cities there's a lack of leadership.

www.theurbanist.org/2025/07/10/b...

Bothell Drops Parking Mandates, Legalizes Neighborhood Corner Stores Citywide » The Urbanist

# Bothell becomes the first city in either King or Snohomish County to fully eliminate off-street parking mandates in order to reduce costs for homebuilding. The move clearly solidifies the city as a ...

www.theurbanist.org

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Reposted by Dan Bertolet

Michael Andersen @andersem.bsky.social · Jun 23

This Oregon bill, the first of its kind in the country that I'm aware of, just passed: 50-2 in the House, 28-2 in the Senate.

A lot will depend on rulemaking, but this opens the door to a Japan-like system where the state defines its own version of lower-density zones.

Michael Andersen @andersem.bsky.social · Jun 13

I'm also excited about HB 2258, which passed the same committee with not just bipartisan but *unanimous* support. It'd pre-approve zoning & building permits for a state-defined catalog of 1-11 unit buildings on standard urban lots.

two great laws that go great together

bsky.app/profile/ande...

Michael Andersen @andersem.bsky.social · Apr 4

2. HB 2258. Gov. @tinakotek.bsky.social is also taking lead, but it originated with the state land use agency.

This bill would let the state pre-approve building & land use permits for a catalog of homes, 1-12 units, on basic urban lots in any jurisdiction.

Call it a comeback.

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · Jun 5

Oregon led the nation on legalizing middle housing, and is now poised to lead again on improving the standards based on what's been getting built.

Two critical points:

- Allow middle housing with more units to be larger

- Don't burden it with development fees

www.sightline.org/2025/06/04/o...

Oregon’s Zoning Reforms Are Working—But They Need Some Upgrades | Sightline Institute

Six years after a monumental rezone, Gov. Kotek's HB 2138 will fill the gaps to more fully legalize starter homes.

www.sightline.org

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · Jun 3

In Vancouver a big chunk of the city's rentals are condos, right @jensvb.bsky.social? Any reason condo HOAs don't limit rentals more like they do in the US?

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · Jun 3

Thanks.

For a cap, I guess it would have to be first come first serve for people choosing to rent out their units, and it would cut off when the next rental would put the building over 50%. Nothing wrong with that I suppose.

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · Jun 3

Do you know of any data on the prevalence of owner-occupancy requirements in condos?

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · Jun 2

Connecticut has become the first US state to do what every US state should do:

It has put a total end to costly, arbitrary local requirements for new housing to include parking.

Massive, overdue win for housing and climate, for both people and the planet!

Parking Reform Network @parkingreform.org · Jun 2

🚨BIG NEWS!

The CT Senate passed HB 5002 over the weekend, which fully repeals parking mandates for all residential uses! It's now heading off to the governor's desk!!

Big shoutout to the folks behind ctparkingreform.org @trumbullbrod.bsky.social and Casey Moran

ctmirror.org/2025/05/30/h...

H.B. 5002, Democrats' housing bill, gets final passage

The CT Senate passed the most significant piece of housing legislation to emerge in years after hours of debate.

ctmirror.org

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · May 16

One big reason Washington now leads the pack on statewide housing abundance legislation is that it just passed the nation's strongest parking reform bill.

Here's what made that possible:

www.sightline.org/2025/05/16/h...

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · May 15

I'm calling it:

Washington has now accomplished more on statewide zoning reform than any other US state.

In the just ended 2025 legislative session, Washington lawmakers knocked out nation-leading parking and TOD bills, and more.

www.sightline.org/2025/05/15/w...

Washington Takes Statewide Zoning Reform to the Next Level | Sightline Institute

There’s a healthy competition brewing between states that are taking action for housing abundance. But as of May 2025, Washington leads the pack. Its legislature just passed best-in-the-US bills on bo...

www.sightline.org

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · May 8

Yeah, such a shame that Catie was out of town, she was the driving force behind the parking bill.

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · May 4

Wild to see national TV news emphasizing that you get more affordability and home ownership opportunities when you allow more density in areas previously reserved for single-detached houses.

www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news...

How Portland, OR made housing more affordable

In a word: density. New zoning rules in Portland, OR led to an increase in duplexes, tri-plexes, and quad-plexes on lots previously designated for single family homes. The new units typically sell for...

www.nbcnews.com

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · Apr 28

Update on WA's 2025 Housing Supply Billapalooza:

Signed by the Gov:
HB 1183, HB 1757, HB 1135

Awaiting signature:
SB 5184, HB 1491, HB 1096, HB 1576, SB 5148, HB 1403, SB 5571

Dead:
HB 1443, SB 5156, SB 5613

Info on most of those bills here:
www.sightline.org/2025/02/13/w...

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · Apr 25

Montana giving Washington a run for its money on leading the nation on statewide reforms to boost housing.

One of those states has a red trifecta, while the other has a blue trifecta.

It's almost as if people of every political stripe need homes to live in.

www.sightline.org/2025/04/25/m...

Montana's Housing Miracle Strikes Twice | Sightline Institute

Bipartisan efforts won a string of bills for more homes, lower costs, and less red tape for Montanans—with lessons for other states.

www.sightline.org

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · Apr 23

Do you want to get in on the action to help make every year another Year of Housing?

The right stuff is a mix of experience, analysis, writing, and political strategy. If you think you've got it, please apply!

www.sightline.org/senior-resea...

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · Apr 22

WA bill HB 1576 that requires owner consent for historic landmarking has passed concurrence and now awaits the Governor's signature.

“Only two legislators voted against the bill that seeks to curtail weaponization of the landmarking process.”

www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news...

www.bizjournals.com

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · Apr 21

“If we really want to open up opportunities for new housing, excessive parking mandates have got to go.”
- @citizen-cate.bsky.social

“Pro-housing advocates have changed the narrative and demanded action.”
- @jessbateman.bsky.social

www.knkx.org/politics/202...

WA lawmakers pass major parking reform bill to boost housing

A bill that aims to address housing supply and affordability in Washington by lowering parking requirements is headed to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

www.knkx.org

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · Apr 21

Oops, right!

Would be sweet to see the Spokane six become the Seattle six but I'm not holding my breath.

www.sightline.org/2022/01/21/c...

Cities’ Bigger Future Can Look and Feel Beautiful—If We Build for It | Sightline Institute

Takeaways Seattle has concentrated several decades of population growth within narrow corridors of the city, disproportionately affecting poor and BIPOC communities while failing to ask nearby detache...

www.sightline.org

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · Apr 21

What's the latest Seattle proposal for affordability requirements on a sixplex? 1110 legalizes sixplexes but only with two units at 60% AMI, which is tough to make pencil for private developers.

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · Apr 18

Yep, some of WA's housing bills need concurrance and all still need the Gov's signature, but they got over their biggest hurdles and that's cause for celebration...

...so please join us to do that this eve, 5pm at Stoup Brewing on Capitol Hill.

BONUS: ONE FREE DRINK FOR THE FIRST 50 TO ARRIVE!

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Reposted by Dan Bertolet

Futurewise @futurewise.bsky.social · Apr 17

ICYMI: after three years of advocacy from @futurewise.bsky.social and sponsorship by @staterepjuliareed.bsky.social, Washington passed the most significant state-level transit-oriented development mandate in the country with HB 1491. The bill now heads to @governorferguson.bsky.social for signature!

Front of Link rail train with apartment buildings on both sides of the station.

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Reposted by Dan Bertolet

Michael Andersen @andersem.bsky.social · Apr 17

Good summary of WA's new homes-near-transit law.

The breakthrough compromise that got it passed (with a few R votes, even!): funded inclusionary zoning

www.theurbanist.org/2025/04/16/s...

State Senate Greenlights Sweeping Transit-Oriented Housing Bill - The Urbanist

# Three years in the making, HB 1491 would require Washington cities to zone for apartment buildings near rail stations and rapid bus stops. A compromise around housing affordability mandates finally ...

www.theurbanist.org

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Dan Bertolet @danbertolet.bsky.social · Apr 17

WA's Year of Housing Redux?

Passed both chambers as of yesterday's cutoff:

SB 5184 - parking
HB 1491 - TOD w/funded IZ
HB 1096 - lot splitting
HB 1576 - landmarking
SB 5148 - accountability
HB 1403 - condo liability
HB 1183 - setbacks/facade mod.
HB 1757 - conversions
HB 1135 - GMA compliance

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