Summary of the Minutes: Housing Coalition Meeting -Nov 5th Stevens County

By Angela Wethered, Wethered Timberworks LLC | WETHETL760CL

November 6, 2025

At the recent coalition meeting held at TEDD on November 5, 2025, participants discussed several important updates on state housing legislation, local planning requirements, and ongoing housing challenges across Stevens County. The conversation brought together representatives from multiple agencies and organizations to better understand how statewide policy changes will affect local development, planning, and housing affordability.

State Housing Legislation and Local Planning Updates

Attendees reviewed new state housing laws, including House Bill 1220, which requires local governments to:

Plan for housing across all income levels using projections from the Department of Commerce.

Remove regulatory barriers such as restrictive zoning, excessive parking standards, and height limits.

Address displacement and racial equity concerns in local housing policy.

The Department of Commerce will provide technical assistance and may audit jurisdictions that fail to meet minimum planning standards.

2501105_Stevens County Presentation on Housing Requirements.pdf

Download PDF • 2.51MB

Other laws discussed included:

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): All urban jurisdictions must allow two ADUs per parcel, with flexibility for ownership and occupancy.

Emergency and Supportive Housing: Cities must allow shelters and supportive housing in zones permitting hotels or residences.

Housing on Religious Properties: Religious organizations can develop housing on their land, with compliance required by June 2026.

Co-Living and Impact Fees: Shared-living arrangements must be allowed in denser zones, and impact fees must fairly reflect project scale.

Local Planning and Implementation in Stevens County

County and city planners discussed how Stevens County is updating its countywide planning policies and determining how housing growth will be distributed among cities, towns, and rural areas.

Most new affordable and multifamily development is expected to occur in urban growth areas (UGAs) such as Colville, Kettle Falls, and Northport, while rural areas will continue to see primarily single-family housing.

Public involvement will be an essential part of this process. All jurisdictions must update their comprehensive plans and zoning codes by June 30, 2027, to remain in compliance with state law.

Challenges in Housing Development

Participants discussed the continuing difficulty of developing affordable housing due to high construction and infrastructure costs—often exceeding $300 per square foot—along with limited land availability, labor shortages, and the added expense of updated energy codes.

Possible strategies discussed included encouraging tiny homes, middle housing, modular and manufactured homes, and multifamily projects to help expand local options.

Workforce and Employer-Supported Housing

Several employers in Stevens County have expressed interest in investing in employee housing, but grant programs often rely on outdated census and income data, making it hard to qualify for assistance. Participants discussed the need for more flexible funding tools to support local workforce housing efforts.

Community Project Update

The Dominican Sisters Haven development was highlighted as a success story for rural affordable housing. The project is nearly at full occupancy, offering affordable rental units at roughly $220 per square foot, thanks to efficient construction and a strong partnership with Rural Resources.

Homeowners Associations and Covenants

Discussion also touched on how new housing laws interact with homeowners associations (HOAs) and private covenants. While most covenants remain under HOA management, new guidance under the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (RCW 64.90) may bring more standardization in the years ahead.

What This Means for Northport and Its Urban Growth Area

For Northport and its surrounding urban growth area (UGA), these legislative and planning updates carry several implications:

Planning for All Income Levels: Northport will need to demonstrate that its comprehensive plan provides enough capacity for housing across all income brackets—from low-income rentals to market-rate homes.

Encouraging Housing Variety: The town will be expected to accommodate diverse housing types, such as duplexes, ADUs, and smaller multifamily developments within the UGA.

Infrastructure Readiness: Because Northport’s UGA has limited infrastructure, coordination with the county and utility providers will be critical to ensure future development areas have water, sewer, and road capacity.

Public Engagement: Residents will have opportunities to participate in shaping how and where new housing is planned, especially during the upcoming comprehensive plan and zoning updates.

Opportunities for Growth: With state support and new flexibility under recent laws, Northport may be able to attract small-scale developers or partnerships to create attainable housing options that fit the town’s character and needs.

Overall, these changes are intended to help small towns like Northport plan proactively for growth, reduce barriers to development, and expand local housing choices—while maintaining community identity and livability.

What This Means for Unincorporated Areas of Stevens County

For residents living outside city limits—in the county’s unincorporated communities and rural areas—the effects of these planning and housing laws will differ from those in incorporated towns:

Focus on Rural Character: County planners aim to maintain the traditional rural landscape while still meeting state housing mandates. Most higher-density or multifamily housing will be directed toward the urban growth areas.

Limited Infrastructure: Many rural parts of the county lack water and sewer systems, which limits dense development and keeps most housing on larger lots with private wells and septic systems.

Housing Type and Cost: Construction costs and infrastructure limitations mean that housing in unincorporated areas will likely remain single-family and relatively expensive per unit.

Affordable Housing Access: While deeply affordable housing may not be built directly in rural zones, residents could benefit from more housing options nearby in towns such as Colville, Kettle Falls, or Northport.

County Oversight: Stevens County’s planning department will continue managing growth in rural areas, balancing the need to comply with new state requirements while protecting agricultural land, open space, and rural lifestyles.

In essence, unincorporated areas will continue to grow at a slower pace, with planning efforts focused on maintaining rural character while aligning with the state’s broader housing goals.

Closing Note

This summary reflects what was discussed during the meeting and the current direction of housing policy and planning in Washington State. It does not necessarily represent my personal opinions or positions, but is shared to help inform residents about the conversations and decisions shaping housing and development at both the local and state levels.

To learn more contact :

Stevens County Housing Coalition

Commissioner's building

230 E. Birch St

Colville, WA 99114

Mailing Address

215 S Oak St

Colville, WA 99114

Phone: 509-684-3751

Fax: 509-684-8310

Hours

Monday through Friday

8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.