The bill amends RCW 36.70B.080 to enhance the efficiency of local government actions regarding housing permit applications. It mandates that development regulations establish specific time periods for processing project permit applications, with deadlines for final decisions set at 65 days for permits not requiring public notice, and 170 days for those requiring both public notice and a hearing. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions that allow for the automatic approval of projects if the permit time periods are not met, provided certain conditions are satisfied, such as the project being located in an urban growth area and including residential units.

Furthermore, the bill requires counties and cities with populations over 20,000 to track and report on the number of project permit applications processed, including timelines and performance metrics related to housing permits. It also stipulates that local governments must refund a portion of the permit fee if the processing time exceeds the established deadlines. The bill emphasizes accountability and transparency by mandating annual performance reports to be submitted to the Department of Commerce, which will compile and publish this data for public access.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 36.70B.080