Although there is no intent section of SB 5611, the title suggests the intent is to streamline and clarify local government’s permitting workloads. It approaches this goal by adding more restrictions to the permit timeline session law of 2023 – SB 5290.

Sponsored by Sen. Jesse Salomon (D–Shoreline), SB 5611 focuses its attention on the project permit timelines amendments, but also makes an interesting change to the Subdivision Act. First, here are the changes it makes to the permit processing timelines statute:

• Cities can’t require or request a permit deadline extension at initial submission of the permit application
• If the permit application proposes to develop residential housing in the city’s urban growth area, and the permit deadline elapses, a city cannot deny the permit or approve the permit with conditions that would impact the viability of the project or its affordability, unless:
  • To comply with state or federal law;
  • Impacts a critical area or buffer; or
  • Conflicts with shoreline master program or local zoning or comprehensive plan.

Second, the bill makes amendments to the binding site plan provisions in the Subdivision Act:

• The use of a binding site plan for commercial property would include zones that permit or conditionally permit multifamily residential use.
• The Subdivision Act requirements would not apply to the binding site plan, including the change above.

The permit processing timelines changes are not new concepts, and we continue to oppose them; but please let us know if the changes to the binding site plan definition will have a negative impact on your city.

Date to remember

SB 5611 is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Local Government Committee on Monday, February 17 at 1:30 pm.