Thurston County advances zoning rules for housing sex offenders after safety concerns were raised

Thurston County officials are moving to establish new zoning rules for Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) housing for sex offenders after public backlash over gaps in oversight and safety concerns. 

During a public hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 2, the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) reviewed proposed amendments to clarify permitting processes, enforce safety standards and ensure community engagement. 

The Thurston BoCC reviews state law restrictions for LRA housing during a December 3, 2024 meeting, focusing on siting rules, staffing levels, and …

The proposed amendments include new definitions, public notice requirements and operational standards for facilities providing court-ordered support services to sex offenders. 

Associate Planner Anna Rodriguez outlines proposed zoning changes for LRA housing

 “We developed a package of amendments to address the new permitting process and noticing requirements,” said Anna Rodriguez, associate planner for the county. 

Proposed changes 

The amendments would update Titles 20, 21, 22, and 23 of the Thurston County Code and apply countywide, including urban growth areas for Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater.  

Rodriguez outlined the changes, which include: 

• New definition: Updating the definition of LRA housing to specifically refer to court-ordered residences for sex offenders. 

• Special use permits: Requiring a special use permit and approval by a hearing examiner for all LRA facilities. 

• Public hearings: Mandating formal public hearings for each proposal to allow community input. 

• Safety standards: Adding use-specific standards for water supply, wastewater disposal, food operation and adherence to building and fire codes. 

• Countywide applicability: Applying the new regulations across all of Thurston County, including urban growth areas for Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater. 

“These facilities will require a special use permit and hearing examiner approval,” Rodriguez explained. “Each proposal will be subject to a formal public hearing process to allow community members and the public to voice their opinions on the proposed facility.” she added. 

Background on LRA housing proposal 

The proposed changes respond to a controversial 2023 project by Supreme Living LLC, as detailed in a past The JOLT article. The company sought to establish an LRA housing facility in Tenino-Maytown, but canceled the project due to public opposition and "resources and expenses associated with land use requirements." 

In April 2024, the county added the LRA Community Housing Code Update to its development docket, addressing community concerns by emphasizing safety, transparency and compliance with RCW Chapter 71.09, which governs housing for sexually violent predators. 

Call for stronger local control over LRA housing 

Ashley Arai, director of community planning and economic development, emphasized the complexity of the issue, noting that it is driven by state-level changes in law. 

“The topic of less restrictive alternative community housing for sex offenders is a big topic for both our community as well as the state,” Arai said. 

State Representative Dan Griffey addresses the Thurston Board of County Commissioners, urging stronger local control over Less Restrictive …

State Representative Dan Griffey, who represents the 35th District, which includes parts of Thurston County, attended the hearing and urged counties to take the lead in regulating LRA housing. 

“The state is not getting it right,” Griffey said. “I encourage all of my counties that I represent to use their zoning powers to make more predictability and safer decisions on the location and whether LRA or less restrictive housing for sexually violent predators can happen in Thurston County.” 

He highlighted that the current state policies have gaps and that more local input is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of communities. 

“Our policy, we have a coalition of legislators that have identified that our current policy and current laws leave way too much to be desired,” Griffey added. 

Griffey also praised the county’s efforts to involve all relevant departments in addressing the issue, noting that Thurston County’s proactive approach to LRA housing regulations was a model for other areas. 

“I support the work that we did. We included staff from all departments in Thurston County,” he said. 

Griffey offered his support for the county’s continued efforts.

“I encourage the adoption of this ordinance to help protect our mutual constituents," he said.

A slide summarizes community feedback on zoning changes for LRA housing. Residents stressed safety and transparency.

Community concerns 

Residents expressed concerns about safety, accountability and transparency. They also called for stricter measures and long-term oversight. 

 “The planning commission recommendation urged the board to go beyond the requirements in state law and emphasized community concerns around compliance, permitting, security and safety,” said Rodriguez, acknowledging that public safety was a main theme in feedback received during earlier planning commission sessions.  

The planning commission also encouraged the BoCC to explore additional strategies to address broader safety concerns. 

Board approves LRA housing code changes, sets next steps 

The BoCC voted to close the public hearing on the LRA housing proposal and approved an ordinance adopting changes to Titles 20, 21, 22 and 23 of the Thurston County Code. 

As Rodriguez explained, “The Board may take final action to establish new permitting process requirements for housing facilities, at the board’s discretion.”