1. (1) Counties and cities are encouraged to adopt further project review provisions to provide prompt, coordinated, and objective review and ensure accountability to applicants and the public, including expedited review for project permit applications for projects that are consistent with adopted development regulations or that include dwelling units that are affordable to low-income or moderate-income households and within the capacity of systemwide infrastructure improvements.
2. (2) Nothing in chapter 36.70B RCW is intended or shall be construed to prevent counties and cities from requiring a preapplication conference or a public meeting by rule, ordinance, or resolution, where otherwise required by applicable state law.

3. (3) Each county and city shall adopt procedures to monitor and enforce permit decisions and conditions.

   1. (a) Permit decision monitoring procedures referenced in RCW 36.70B.160 should include, but not be limited to:

      1. (i) Use of a permit software system, if possible, to provide reminders to notify staff and the applicant of:

         1. (A) Status of permit processing timelines;
         2. (B) Pending permit expiration dates;
         3. (C) Permit conditions that require compliance or implementation by a certain time frame;
         4. (D) Time frames for financial guarantees and release of financial guarantees.

   2. (b) The enforcement procedures referenced in RCW 36.70B.160 for each permit should include, but not be limited to:

      1. (i) Timelines for compliance upon issuance of a formal compliance order;
      2. (ii) Penalties for lack of compliance;
      3. (iii) Timelines for filing an appeal, including the applicable appeal body;
      4. (iv) Identification of which county or city official has authority to issue enforcement notices for specific permit types.
4. (4) Nothing in chapter 36.70B RCW modifies any independent statutory authority for a government agency to appeal a project permit issued by a local government.

5. (5) For the purposes of this section:

   1. (a) A dwelling unit is affordable if it requires payment of monthly housing costs, including utilities other than telephone, of no more than 30 percent of the family's income.
   2. (b) The definitions of "dwelling unit," "low-income household" and "moderate-income household" as used in this section shall be as provided for in RCW 36.70B.160.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 36.70A.050 and 36.70A.190. WSR 25-17-058, s 365-196-846, filed 8/15/25, effective 9/15/25.]