The bill seeks to improve municipal permitting processes for high-capacity transit projects by amending various sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). It allows local governments to form development agreements with regional transit authorities, enabling them to establish development standards that differ from existing regulations to support transit facility construction. A new section added to chapter 81.112 RCW permits regional transit authorities to apply for land use and construction permits before property acquisition and to build rail systems that may exceed local height and setback requirements, as long as they comply with regulations as much as practicable.

Additionally, the bill modifies RCW 58.17.040 to clarify exemptions from certain subdivision regulations, particularly for land divisions resulting from property acquisition for essential public facilities through condemnation. It raises the threshold for detailed building permit applications from $5,000 to $5,000 and specifies additional required information. The bill also clarifies the information needed for building permit applications and inspection records, ensuring public access to this information. It establishes that applications from regional transit authorities will be evaluated based on the ordinances in effect at the time of route selection and includes a sunset clause for certain provisions, set to expire on January 1, 2028.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 36.70B.170, 58.17.040, 19.27.095