Council approves permitting update to simplify process, lower barriers to application, standardize to new state law

December 3, 2024

The King County Council on Tuesday approved legislation laying out a bevy of changes to the County permitting process, streamlining permit review, removing unnecessary steps, and dramatically reducing the timeline for most permit reviews from an average of 119 days to 65 days.

The ordinance, sponsored by Councilmember Sarah Perry, brings King County into compliance with new state guidelines approved in 2023.

“This legislation is instrumental in addressing our long-standing permitting concerns across King County,” Perry said. “More than just bringing us into line with the new state law, these changes will help ensure we are using all the tools available to increase production of housing units – both market rate and affordable – as we continue to face a daunting housing shortage across the region. I am grateful for the collaboration of the Department of Local Services and my fellow councilmembers in bringing this vital legislation across the finish line.”

Included in these updates are several major changes that will make new housing production easier at all levels, including:

• Exempt most interior alterations to buildings from site plan review
• Clarifies on project permit applications and in code the submission requirements for a complete application
• Limit timelines for final decision on project permits, including removing exemptions for effective unlimited review time
• Starting with 2024 permit application information, prepare and submit to the Department of Commerce, and post to the County's website, an annual performance report that includes very detailed information on the time periods achieved in permit review

Council also recently included funding in the supplemental budget and 2025 budget for 16 new full-time employees in the permitting division to help put all the changes into action.

Read the staff report for a full list of changes.