Legislation that will align Washington state’s laws governing manufactured and factory-built housing with national standards was signed into law Monday.
Legislation sponsored by Rep. Deb Manjarrez to modernize standards for factory-built housing and commercial structures has been signed into law by the governor, marking the first bill of her legislative career to become law.
House Bill 2151 aligns Washington with national standards for factory-built housing and commercial structures. The change is intended to streamline regulations, reduce unnecessary costs, and support faster construction of housing and commercial buildings across the state.
Manjarrez says adopting widely recognized national standards will help remove barriers that slow down development while maintaining safety and quality.
“Washington is in the middle of a serious housing affordability crisis, and we need practical solutions that help increase supply,” said Manjarrez, R-Wapato. “By aligning our rules with national standards, we can reduce regulatory hurdles and make it easier to build the homes and commercial structures our communities need.”
Washington continues to face a significant housing shortage. State estimates indicate Washington needs more than one million additional housing units by 2044 to meet projected demand. Rising construction costs, regulatory delays, and limited housing supply have contributed to rapidly increasing home prices and rents across the state.
“Factory-built housing can often be constructed faster and more efficiently than traditional site-built homes,” said Manjarrez. “Updating our standards helps ensure these homes can be built and delivered more quickly while still meeting strong safety expectations.”
Factory-built housing includes structures such as modular homes and certain commercial buildings that are constructed in a controlled manufacturing environment before being transported to a site for installation.
Supporters say adopting national standards will improve consistency for manufacturers, builders, and regulators while helping expand housing options for Washington families.
“Washington families are feeling the pressure of rising housing costs,” said Manjarrez. “This law helps modernize our system and opens the door for more innovative housing solutions that can help people find safe, affordable places to live.”
Manjarrez also noted that the work to address housing affordability will require continued collaboration between lawmakers, state agencies, and local communities.
“Addressing our housing challenges will take a range of solutions, and this is an important step in the right direction,” said Manjarrez.
In addition to sponsoring House Bill 2151, Manjarrez has been appointed to the governor’s task force charged with developing recommendations for establishing a Washington State Department of Housing, an effort aimed at improving coordination and long-term housing policy across the state.
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Washington State House Republicans