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The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) held our annual Snohomish County Elected Officials Reception on Wednesday, June 17 at Rosehill Community Center in Mukilteo. The event drew elected officials and other local leaders from throughout the County and gave us a chance to thank them for their leadership and willingness to work alongside us on behalf of housing.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring, and Lynnwood Mayor George Hurst joined a panel discussion on how implementation of middle housing state laws is going in their communities, moderated by Snohomish County Builders Council Chair Ian Faulds of Sanbell.

The mayors shared insights on lessons learned related to middle housing development in their cities, as well as lessons from other cities they're applying to their own. Panelists spoke about the importance of aligning regulations with their long-term planning to provide more predictability, advancing permit streamlining measures, and establishing a culture in city government that views housing as a priority.

Mayors Franklin, Nehring, and Hurst also shared where they see the greatest opportunity for cities and builders to work together over the next few years, and what success would look like for housing in their cities. All three mayors agreed it is vital to engage and partner with the building community in this work. They described a vision for the future that meant more residents could afford to live and work in their communities, with housing options available to families and individuals at all stages of life.

MBAKS's Executive Director Jerry Hall rounded out the program by encouraging local leaders to consider all policies through a housing lens.

In case you missed it, view our takeaways from the event and our new middle housing resource to learn more about MBAKS's work on lowering barriers to middle housing options in the County.

Thanks to all the elected officials and MBAKS members who attended and helped make it a fun evening! If you missed this event, there's still time to register for the Seattle Builders Council Reception — July 29, 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Courtyard by Marriott Seattle Downtown/Pioneer Square.

The Bellevue City Council has adopted an ordinance implementing residential lot splitting, creating another tool to help increase housing opportunities through more efficient land division. The ordinance was adopted on July 28 as part of a larger package of land use code amendments. MBAKS supported adoption and submitted this July 28 letter to the City Council. 

Bellevue deserves recognition for being one of the first jurisdictions in King and Snohomish counties to implement Washington’s new lot splitting law, HB 1096 (now codified in RCW 58.17.145). The City has taken an important step by establishing a local process and ensuring its code is consistent with the intent of state law. MBAKS also appreciates Bellevue staff's collaborative approach and willingness to work through implementation issues before adoption.

One important caveat is that Bellevue's new residential lot splitting provisions will not take effect until July 27, 2027. The City chose to delay implementation to allow time to establish a new, streamlined permit type and complete the work needed to administer the new process. While MBAKS would have preferred an earlier effective date, we appreciate Bellevue's thoughtful approach to implementation and its commitment to creating a permitting process that is as efficient and user-friendly as possible.

What Is Residential Lot Splitting?

HB 1096, passed by the Legislature in 2025, requires cities planning under the Growth Management Act to allow qualifying residential lots to be administratively divided into two lots without requiring a traditional short plat or subdivision process.

The goal is to create a simpler, faster path to divide eligible residential lots while maintaining local development standards, infrastructure requirements, and environmental protections. Once divided, each lot can be developed consistent with local zoning and the middle housing requirements adopted under state law.

Read the new residential lot splitting provisions: Ordinance 6933 beginning at the bottom of page 37.