Summit Law Blog

As a commercial tenant, you are held to a higher standard than a residential tenant – there are minimal statutory protections, and the legal policy landscape presumes you are sophisticated, capable of reading and understanding the lease agreement, and represented by competent counsel. The following is a list of items to keep in mind as you are negotiating your Lease.

HB 3746 reforms the process for addressing construction-defect claims. This blog post covers what developers, insurers, homeowners associations, and condominium associations need to know. 

SB 5184 limits local minimum parking requirements for many developments, creating new opportunities to reduce costs and improve project feasibility. This blog post covers what developers should know. 

HB 1491 encourages higher-density residential development near transit while offering new incentives for qualifying projects. Here's what developers should know.

HB 2304 expands Washington's alternative warranty framework for certain condominium projects. Here's what that means for developers.

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.

In this blog post, we discuss five issues you'll want to figure out before moving forward with the sale of your closely-held business. Deciding to sell your company is a major transition, and while the prospect of a successful exit is exciting, it's important to approach the process with a clear strategy and defensible positions.