(L to R) Luke Esser, Lisa Goehner, Brandt Cappell, Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden, Josh Weiss, Gov. Bob Ferguson, Rebekah Mason, Sen. Marcus Riccelli/D-Spokane, Sen. Nikki Torres/R-Pasco, Mike Burgess, Sen. Matt Boehnke/R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate.
OLYMPIA… Today, the governor signed legislation sponsored by Sen. Keith Goehner to give local governments more time and flexibility to update their land-use and housing policies.
Senate Bill 5558 addresses two significant aspects of Washington’s Growth Management Act by extending the deadline for comprehensive plan updates and adjusting the timeline for implementing new design review and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations.
Under the new law, 10 counties—including Chelan and Douglas—will have until December 31, 2026, to review and update their comprehensive growth plans. The original deadline of June 30, 2026, has proven challenging for many counties, balancing evolving community needs, environmental goals, and infrastructure demands.
“SB 5558 is a commonsense fix that gives our local governments the breathing room they need to get planning right,” said Goehner, R-Dryden. “Comprehensive growth plans shouldn’t be rushed—they should reflect thoughtful input, responsible development goals, and long-term community priorities.”
The new law also ensures that new policies related to design standards and ADUs are adopted in sync with comprehensive plan updates rather than being imposed within six months afterward. This coordinated timeline improves consistency in planning and reduces the administrative burden on local governments.
“With SB 5558, we’re aligning housing solutions like ADUs with long-term planning strategies instead of layering on rushed mandates,” Goehner added. “This new law supports thoughtful growth, empowers local decision-makers, and helps ensure that development is done correctly—for people, neighborhoods, and our infrastructure.”
SB 5558 was signed on the 100th day of the 105-day legislative session and will become law on July 27, 2025. The legislative session began January 13 and is scheduled to adjourn on Sunday, April 27.
For more information on Goehner’s legislative work, visit keithgoehner.src.wastateleg.org.
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