STEP Draft Model Ordinance and User's Guide comment period starts next week
Register now for May 14 webinar!
Commerce will open a 30-day public comment period on our STEP Draft Model Ordinance and User’s Guide on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. STEP is an acronym for:
- Emergency Shelters (S)
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Transitional Housing (T)
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Emergency housing (E)
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Permanent supportive housing (P)
The Model Ordinance will provide communities with an easy method for including these housing types in local codes and regulations. Both drafts will be available on our Housing Elements webpage the day before the comment period begins.
Kicking off the comment period, Commerce will host a webinar offering an in-depth overview of the draft documents followed by Q & A.
Webinar on STEP Model Ordinance and User's Guide
The webinar will be recorded and shared on our Housing Elements webpage after the event. Commerce expects to publish revised guidance in July 2024.
 Background
In 2021, the Legislature changed the way communities are required to plan for housing. Cities must allow STEP housing within their jurisdictional boundaries (RCW 35A.21.430, RCW 35.21.683). Additionally, all fully planning counties and cities must provide sufficient land capacity for their future emergency housing and permanent supportive housing needs and make adequate provisions for these needs (RCW 36.70A.070(2)).
Although cities were required to update their regulations to be consistent with these municipal codes by Sept. 30, 2021, many jurisdictions did not have the resources or information to make these regulatory changes. Others who updated their regulations may not have been aware of state and federal housing laws and continued to impose regulatory barriers to the siting of STEP.
Forthcoming work products
To support jurisdictions as they regulate STEP within their periodic update, Commerce is working with Abt Global and the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) to develop several resources including:
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State of the Practice Report to summarize existing local practices and best practices for the siting and development of STEP.
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Model ordinance to help local jurisdictions develop their own ordinances.
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User’s Guide and Best Practices Report to supplement the model ordinance and provide best practices.
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Four case studies on successful local implementation from King County and the Cities of Spokane, Vancouver, and Wenatchee.
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Communications toolkit to help jurisdictions communicate the benefits, challenges, and best practices associated with STEP.
For any additional questions, please contact Laura Hodgson, housing planning and data manager.
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