The bill aims to address the housing crisis in Washington state by streamlining the permitting process for affordable housing construction. It introduces a new section emphasizing the need to expedite permit approvals, which have been identified as a significant barrier to increasing housing units. The bill amends existing laws to clarify that local governments must base project reviews on adopted comprehensive plans and development regulations, and it limits the scope of project reviews by prohibiting reexamination of certain alternatives and appeals, except for code interpretation issues.

Key provisions include the establishment of a process where building permit applications prepared by licensed professionals are deemed complete by local building departments, thereby reducing delays. Additionally, the bill mandates that local governments must exclude specific project permits from certain review provisions, particularly for minor alterations and expansions that do not significantly impact site layout or require extensive environmental review. Overall, the legislation seeks to facilitate quicker approvals for housing projects, thereby contributing to the alleviation of the housing shortage in the state.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 36.70B.030, 36.70A.040, 36.70B.140