1. (1) Counties and cities are encouraged to adopt further project review and code provisions to provide prompt, coordinated review and ensure accountability to applicants and the public by:

   1. (a) Expediting review for project permit applications for projects that are consistent with adopted development regulations;

   2. (b) Imposing reasonable fees, consistent with RCW 82.02.020, on applicants for permits or other governmental approvals to cover the cost to the city, town, county, or other municipal corporation of processing applications, inspecting and reviewing plans, or preparing detailed statements required by chapter 43.21C RCW.

      1. (i) The fees imposed may not include a fee for the cost of processing administrative appeals.
      2. (ii) Nothing in this subsection limits the ability of a county or city to impose a fee for the processing of administrative appeals as otherwise authorized by law.
   3. (c) Entering into an interlocal agreement with another county or city to share permitting staff and resources;
   4. (d) Maintaining and budgeting for on-call permitting assistance for when permit volumes or staffing levels change rapidly;
   5. (e) Having new positions budgeted that are contingent on increased permit revenue;
   6. (f) Adopting development regulations which only require public hearings for permit applications that are required to have a public hearing by statute;
   7. (g) Adopting development regulations which make preapplication meetings optional rather than a requirement of permit application submittal;
   8. (h) Adopting development regulations which make housing types an outright permitted use in all zones where the housing type is permitted;
   9. (i) Adopting a program to allow for outside professionals with appropriate professional licenses to certify components of applications consistent with their license; or

   10. (j) Meeting with the applicant to attempt to resolve outstanding issues during the review process.

       1. (i) The meeting must be scheduled within 14 days of a second request for corrections during permit review.
       2. (ii) If the meeting cannot resolve the issues and a county or city proceeds with a third request for additional information or corrections, then the county or city must approve or deny the application upon receiving the additional information or corrections.

2. (2) (a) After January 1, 2026, a county or city must adopt additional measures under subsection (1) of this section at the time of its next comprehensive plan update under RCW 36.70A.130 if it meets the following conditions:

   1. (i) The county or city has adopted at least three project review and code provisions under subsection (1) of this section more than five years prior; and
   2. (ii) The county or city is not meeting the permitting deadlines established in RCW 36.70B.080 at least half of the time over the period since its most recent comprehensive plan update required under RCW 36.70A.130.
   3. (b) A county or city that is required to adopt new measures under (a) of this subsection but fails to do so becomes subject to the provisions of RCW 36.70B.080 (1)(l), notwithstanding RCW 36.70B.080 (1)(l)(ii).
3. (3) Nothing in chapter 36.70B RCW is intended or shall be construed to prevent a county or city from requiring a preapplication conference or a public meeting by rule, ordinance, or resolution.

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

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

   2. (b) The enforcement procedures 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.
5. (5) 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.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 36.70A.050 and 36.70A.190. WSR 25-17-058, s 365-196-847, filed 8/15/25, effective 9/15/25.]