WashingtonNonprofit meeting hall tax exemptions cover needed parking without an acreage cap
Starting with taxes collected in 2027, nonprofit owners can claim exemptions for meeting halls and needed parking when the property serves only public gatherings and welcomes everyone.
What it does
For taxes collected starting in 2027, nonprofit halls used only for public gatherings and open to everyone qualify without a general acreage cap. Mostly undeveloped community celebration sites have a separate 29-acre limit.
Argument forThe exemption could help nonprofit owners keep more money for maintaining meeting spaces that everyone can use.
Argument againstExempting meeting halls and their needed parking could leave local governments with less property tax revenue from those properties.
More detail
Nonprofit owners can claim a property tax exemption for public meeting halls, the land beneath them, and parking space they need. The exemption covers property owned by nonprofit groups. Washington's Department of Revenue must interpret its coverage narrowly. The property must be used only for public gatherings and be available to everyone without requiring membership. Owners may set rules to protect the property and support its public use. Mostly undeveloped sites used mainly for annual community celebrations for at least 10 years have a 29-acre limit. Use for financial gain or business generally cancels the exemption for that assessment year. Exceptions appear in this section and RCW 84.36.805, a separate law. Dance, art, or music lessons can qualify in counties with fewer than 20,000 residents. Rental charges or donations must be reasonable and cannot exceed upkeep and operating costs for the portion used. All rental or use income must support property improvements, upkeep, operations, or tax-exempt purposes. These provisions apply to taxes levied for collection in 2027 and later.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 16Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 16Chapter 67, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 16Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 9Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 6Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 6President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 5Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#10). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 5Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 4Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Mar 2Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Mar 2FIN - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Mar 2Executive action taken in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
- Feb 19Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 26First reading, referred to Finance.Minor
- Jan 26First reading, referred to Finance (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report).Minor
- Jan 21Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#6). Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 21Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Jan 21Floor amendment(s) adopted.
- Jan 21Returned to second reading for amendment.
- Jan 21Rules suspended.
- Jan 13Placed on third reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Jan 12By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
- 2025
- Apr 27By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
- Apr 7Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Apr 4FIN - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Apr 4Executive action taken in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
- Mar 21Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 1:30 PM.
- Mar 14First reading, referred to Finance.Minor
- Mar 12Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#20). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 121st substitute bill substituted (WM 25).Major
- Mar 10Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 10Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 6Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 6WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 6Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.
- Jan 28Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.
- Jan 14First reading, referred to Ways & Means.Introduced
Taxes & Budget