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Pr s <br />umairy <br />Only one-third of local ogovernments statewide <br />published required annual performance reports <br />on permit processing times 32) <br />Certain Iocal governments must post annual reports on permit review timeliness. <br />Beyond state law requirements, sharing permit review times with applicants helps <br />ensure predictability, and is therefore a leading practice for all governments. <br />However, only one-third of local governments publicly report on permit timeliness, <br />and even fewer included all information required by law. We examined 18 <br />published government reports on permit processing time, and only four reports <br />contained most required elements. <br />Revisions to a chapter of state law (RCW 36.70B.080) will change reporting <br />requirements starting in 2025. In addition, the Department of Commerce will have <br />a new role in the process for annual permit reports. <br />Recommendations (page 36) <br />We made a series of recommendations to the six audited cities and counties to <br />address permit review performance that does not achieve 120-day compliance. <br />We recommended the local governments implement continuous improvement <br />methods, and analyze cost of service and staffing levels. We also made <br />recommendations to address a lack of transparency and predictability for permit <br />applicants in their jurisdictions. <br />Next steps <br />Our performance audits of state programs and services are reviewed by the Joint <br />Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) and/or by other legislative <br />committees whose members wish to consider findings and recommendations on <br />specific topics. Representatives of the Office of the State Auditor will review this <br />audit with JLARC's Initiative 900 Subcommittee in Olympia. The public will have <br />the opportunity to comment at this hearing. Please check the JLARC website for <br />the exact date, time, and location (www.leg.wa.gov/JLARC). The Office conducts <br />periodic follow-up evaluations to assess the status of recommendations and may <br />conduct follow-up audits at its discretion. See Appendix A, which addresses the <br />I-900 areas covered in the audit. Appendix B contains information about our <br />methodology. <br />Growth Management Act - Executive Summary <br />