HB 2418: Concerning permit review processes. - Washington

Engrossed Second Substitute Bill → Second Substitute Passed Legislature · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the timeline for reviewing residential project permits and clarifies the roles of special districts and local governments. It extends the time allowed for reviewing complex infrastructure projects, adds environmental impact statement preparation to the list of excluded review times, and refines how single points of contact are designated for permit applications.

Scope change

The bill applies to local governments, special purpose districts, and public utility districts reviewing residential project permit applications in Washington State.

TIMELINE

The review period for complex infrastructure or specialized engineering reviews was extended from 70 calendar days to 60 business days, allowing more time for difficult technical evaluations.

Time spent preparing draft or final environmental impact statements is now explicitly excluded from the statutory review clock, preventing these tasks from counting against local government deadlines.

REQUIREMENT

The definition of a 'single point of contact' for permit applications was expanded to allow various designations (officials, offices, or units) and requires them to provide public contact information like phone numbers or email addresses.

Requirements for referrals to special districts were updated to ensure they include all materials needed to constitute a complete application under the district's own procedures, rather than just conformance with engineering standards.

The authority of the designated 'single point of contact' was clarified to ensure they do not have independent final decision-making power unless specifically granted by local ordinance.

Second Substitute Bill → Engrossed Second Substitute Bill · 5 edits · Mar 11, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates the definition of 'project permits' to explicitly exclude certain utility and infrastructure reviews. It introduces new, specific timelines and performance reporting requirements for special purpose districts and public utility districts reviewing residential projects. If these districts miss their deadlines, they must refund 20% of the fees collected for that review.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of regulated entities to include special purpose districts and public utility districts, which were previously only mentioned in passing or excluded from specific timeframes. It also clarifies that utility service availability determinations are not considered 'project permits' under the main bill.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'project permit' was modified to explicitly exclude permits based on utility service availability, system capacity, or civil plans, clarifying that these are separate from land use approvals.

REQUIREMENT

New specific timelines were added for special purpose districts and public utility districts to review residential project referrals, ranging from 50 to 120 calendar days depending on complexity.

ENFORCEMENT

A new enforcement mechanism requires districts to refund or forgo 20% of fees if they fail to complete their review within the established timeframes.

TIMELINE

New reporting requirements mandate that districts provide performance data to local governments, and local governments must publish annual reports on permit processing times.

The deadline for local governments to establish integrated permit processes was extended from March 31, 1996, to June 30, 2027.

Substitute Bill → Second Substitute Bill · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was reclassified from a Local Government bill to an Appropriations bill, indicating a shift in legislative focus or funding implications. The core substantive change restricts the requirement to designate a specific 'permit responsible official' to only residential projects, rather than all project permits. This modification also updates related sections to ensure consistency, clarifying that the official designated for residential projects must also serve as the lead agency official for environmental reviews specific to those residential projects.

Scope change

The scope of the permit review requirement was narrowed from applying to all project permits to applying only to residential project permits.

REQUIREMENT

The mandate to designate a permit responsible official now applies only to residential project permit applications, removing the requirement for non-residential projects.

Updated references to ensure that the permit responsible official for residential projects is also designated as the responsible official for environmental analysis under chapter 43.21C.

TECHNICAL

The bill's header was updated to reflect its new classification as a Second Substitute House Bill sponsored by the Appropriations committee.

Bill → Substitute Bill · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to clarify its applicability to residential projects and to tighten time limits for government agencies reviewing permit applications. The changes ensure that public utilities and state departments must complete their reviews within specific deadlines or refund fees, while also restricting the ability of local governments to pause reviews or force applicants to agree to deadline extensions.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed to explicitly apply only to 'residential projects' for state and utility agencies, and the definition of 'project permit' was modified to exclude standard building code compliance permits.

SCOPE

The bill title and sponsor attribution were updated to reflect that it is now a 'Substitute Bill' sponsored by the House Local Government committee.

REQUIREMENT

The Act summary was updated to remove the amendment of RCW 36.70B.070 from the list of affected sections, as that section was rewritten entirely rather than amended.

New language was added to require state agencies and public utilities to complete their review of residential project permits within specific timeframes or refund 20% of the fee if they fail to do so.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'project permit' was changed to explicitly exclude permits issued solely based on compliance with state and local building codes.

TIMELINE

The ability of local governments to pause permit reviews for unpaid fees was removed, and the rules regarding deadline extensions were tightened to prevent local governments from requiring applicants to agree to extensions upfront.

The deadline for local governments to establish integrated permit processes was extended from March 31, 1996, to June 30, 2027.

Concerning permit review processes.

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