Municipal Research and Services Center

06/05/2026

Missing middle housing made up nearly 20% of Spokane's permitted units in 2025, up from just 3% to 4% a few years earlier, reports . The jump follows zoning changes allowing more small multifamily homes.

Read more: https://zurl.co/npyK2

Recent laws making it easier and less costly to build smaller residential buildings are having their intended effect.

06/04/2026

An important survey from our friends at of Washington Cities! Be sure to share your thoughts before June 26th:

https://zurl.co/stuV2

AWC's biennial AWC Tax and User Fee Survey compiles statewide data to help you benchmark your city's municipal taxes and fees, planning and development fees, and utility rates. High response rates help us give members the most comprehensive and accurate information possible. We appreciate your parti...

06/04/2026

If your agency runs license plate readers, the rules just changed. SB 6002 limits how ALPR data can be used, shared, and kept, and bans collection at schools, courts, and health care sites.

MRSC's Harry Boesche shares guidance for staying compliant: https://zurl.co/oZDpM

06/03/2026

Monroe city administrator Deborah Knight is retiring May 31 after more than two decades serving Snohomish County cities.

Read her reflections on her career and local government in the Snohomish County Tribune: https://zurl.co/6FPgO

MONROE — After more than 20 years of helping Snohomish County cities through economic downturns, infrastructure projects, and the pandemic, Monroe city administrator Deborah Knight is retiring May 31.

06/02/2026

What can a local government do when a member of the public threatens or harasses its staff?

More than you might think. From codes of conduct to de-escalation training to court protection orders, MRSC's Jill Dvorkin walks through the options: https://zurl.co/efoEV

06/02/2026

An interesting proposed ordinance prohibiting feeding wildlife. Read more from the Current:

https://zurl.co/hcReS

Feeding wildlife may seem harmless, but officials in San Juan County say it’s putting foxes at risk. A proposed ordinance would ban feeding and harassing wildlife after concerns that foxes are losing their fear of humans, leading to more dangerous encounters and road deaths. Anacortes recently pas...

06/01/2026

🏗️ Have a clean energy project in mind? You could be eligible for cash-back tax credits — even if your organization doesn’t file taxes!

Through Washington’s Clean Energy Tax Assistance Program (CETCAP), tax-exempt entities can receive free legal and technical assistance to help navigate these powerful federal incentives.

✅ Start by filling out the program intake form today — don’t wait! This program is available for a limited time.

🔗 https://zurl.co/OcIYZ

Supporting clean energy projects in Washington with tax credit assistance.

05/29/2026

🏗️ Have a clean energy project in mind? You could be eligible for cash-back tax credits — even if your organization doesn’t file taxes!

Through Washington’s Clean Energy Tax Assistance Program (CETCAP), tax-exempt entities can receive free legal and technical assistance to help navigate these powerful federal incentives.

✅ Start by filling out the program intake form today — don’t wait! This program is available for a limited time.

🔗 https://zurl.co/lm26l

05/28/2026

Washington's new Driver Privacy Act exempts automated license plate reader (ALPR) data from public disclosure.

Read more from MRSC's Sarah Doar to see what the exemption covers: https://zurl.co/J18xb

05/22/2026

Every council member should know how to raise a Point of Order and Appeal. These two motions are how governing bodies keep their chair accountable and make sure the group has the final say.

Professional Registered Parliamentarian Ann Macfarlane explains: https://zurl.co/rjIMc