Summit Law Blog

HB 1096 and SB 5559 represent key steps toward increasing housing supply in Washington. HB 1096 requires local jurisdictions to establish a process for administrative lot splitting, while SB 5559 outlines procedures for unit lot subdivisions. Together, these laws lay the foundation for more flexible and affordable housing options across the state.  

In recent years, the governance of Washington’s HOAs has become a growing concern for both lawmakers and residents. To address this concern, the state enacted the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA) in 2018, establishing modern standards for how HOAs should operate.

However, the law only applied to communities formed after its passage and to existing communities that chose to opt in, leaving many older HOAs largely exempt until January 1, 2028. To address these disparities sooner, the legislature passed Senate Bill 5129 (SB 5129), which begins taking effect July 27, 2025, with full implementation by January 1, 2026.

Washington has been grappling with a housing shortage for years, as home prices and rents continue to outpace income growth. To help address the crisis, Washington passed House Bill 1110, often referred to as the “middle housing” bill, in 2023.

On June 9, 2025, Governor Tina Kotek signed SB 426 into law, marking a significant change to wage liability for Oregon's construction industry. Aimed to combat wage theft, Oregon's new legislation introduces strict joint and several liability, making property owners and direct contractors legally responsible for unpaid wages owed to "unrepresented employees" (workers not covered by a collective bargaining agreement) of a direct contractor or subcontractor, regardless of their tier in the contracting chain. As a result, an unrepresented employee can seek payment from the ...

Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) Update as of December 26, 2024.

Washington has recently passed a law simplifying the lease execution process for landlords and tenants of commercial property.