4-8-2024_PW SS Briefings (3) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Local governments could improve their permit review process by setting standard policies for when it is appropriate to use deadline extensions,and clearly communicating the policy with applicants. Only one established a longer time frame for a specific permit type Our review of each government's development regulations found that they generally did not specify different timeframes for permits that were known to require more time to process.Bellingham specifically established a 180-day timeframe for simple rezoning applications.Some managers at other governments said they were not aware state law offered there this option to set longer time frames.If local governments do not document the known additional time needed for certain permit types,permit applicants have less predictability for how long the process takes,a key Growth Management Act goal. two!alu(I'It(:C-(`? C?C v(—"C"�1.L`i�C M-, Ct 1. c��?�}ro'pl"[e�kt[\,'r (j"""'d vkralv(�r to eliminate pefLnit dn-ad[l1bes- en--U_-G-'LY Although state law allows for reasonable deadline extensions,two governments chose to waive deadlines entirely.Richland and Snohomish County managers said that during the audit period,with agreement from the specific applicant, they waived the deadline rather than extending it for a specific amount of time. However,by asking to waive a deadline entirely,the government may be placing undue pressure upon the applicant to agree,out of concern that their application will be denied if they do not do so.For example,a representative of the building industry testified at a legislative committee hearing that builders feel pressure to accept longer review times when the local government initiates the process. Richland reviewers initiated waivers at the time of application for about six months, according to a planning manager.The manager said the city ceased the practice in May 2022.The manager said the current process is to ask applicants for deadline extensions on a case-by-case basis. Snohomish County reviewers asked applicants to agree to waivers for about 30 percent of the approximately 600 land use permits processed between 2019 and 2022.Snohomish was the only local government that provided data on the frequency of waivers.County reviewers typically initiated deadline waivers after their first review by sending a waiver form(illustrated in Exhibit 9 on the following page)to the applicant with the request for corrections or additional information. One manager said the county instituted this process to avoid having to issue a denial when the review reaches the 120-day deadline.The form specifically mentions allowing the county to review the application beyond the 120-day deadline. Growth Management Act Audit Results