TURN-AROUND TIME FOR BUILDING PERMIT ISSUANCE
IN WASHINGTON STATE
(MRSC Email Survey – October 2001)
City or County
Population
(1999 est.)
Minor
Permits
Residential Permits
Commercial
Permits
Remarks (all times in this table are working days/weeks)
A number of respondents pointed out that times shown for their jurisdiction are for completed applications and do not include time for providing additional information or clarifications or for correction of errors. Also, times shown do not include zone changes, conditional use permits and other land use actions. Several respondents pointed out the statutory 120-day processing requirement of RCW 36.70B and that time required for the applicant to make corrections or supply additional information is not included in the 120 days. See the Comments section of this survey report.
Adams Co.
N/A
2 Weeks
If plans are in order & other permits obtained, then 2 days.
Bainbridge Island
19,840
5 Weeks
Bremerton
36,270
8 weeks is current average, but want to reduce to 4 weeks with more staff.
Brewster
2,065
1-2 Weeks
More complex projects: 3-4 weeks.
Bridgeport
2,125
1-2 Weeks
More complex projects: 3-4 weeks.
Burien
29,770
4-6 Weeks
8-10 Weeks
Permit application review timelines available as information handout.
Clark Co.
N/A
7-14 Days
14-21 Days
30 Days
Comm. tenant impr. 30 days. All times average. See comments for table.
Colville
4,750
1-2 Days
1-2 Weeks
2 Weeks
Cowlitz Co.
N/A
1-2 Weeks
3 Weeks
See comments.
CTED & Shockey
N/A
See comments.
Duvall
4,435
2-4 Weeks
See comments
East Wenatchee
5,395
2-3 Weeks
6-8 Weeks
Light Comm. is same as Res.
Issaquah
10,130
See comments.
Jefferson Co.
N/A
Average is 34 days. Range is 1-147 days.
Kalama
1,630
2 Weeks
Critical area issues could add another 2-3 weeks.
Kenmore
17,168
2-3 Weeks
2-3 Weeks
2-3 Months
After planning permits are obtained. Commercial tenant improve.: 3-4 weeks.
Lacey
29,020
See comments.
Lynden
8,910
7-10 Days
14-21 Days
Mercer Island
21570
30 Days
60 Days
60 Days
See comments.
Mill Creek
11,110
2-3 Weeks
3-6 Weeks
Mukilteo
17,180
4 Weeks
6-8 Weeks
See comments for extensive discussion.
Newcastle
8,605
Goal for all permits is 4-6 weeks.
Nooksack
890
1Week
3-4 Weeks
See comments.
Okanogan Co.
N/A
2 Weeks
Average time, after planning department review.
Pateros
630
1-2 Weeks
More complex projects: 3-4 weeks.
Pierce Co.
N/A
14-21 Days
60-80 Days
Assuming no surface water or ESA reviews.
Pullman
24,540
3 Weeks
Quinault Nation
N/A
2 days for most permits, 2-4 weeks for larger projects.
Richland
36,880
12 Days
20 Days
2nd Reviews are 12 days for Comm., 9 days for Res. Tenant Imp. are same as Res.
Seattle
540,500
120 days. See comments.
Shoreline
52,030
See comments.
Skagit Co.
N/A
29 days is median. See comments.
Snohomish
8,250
1 Month
8 Weeks
Multi-family: 6 weeks.
Snoqualmie
1,980
2 Weeks
3-4 Weeks
Spokane Co.
N/A
1 Day
3 Days
34 Days
Stevens Co.
N/A
7-10 days
See comments.
Sumas
976
1 Week
1 Month
See comments.
Sumner
8,495
2 Weeks
4 Weeks
Tacoma
187,200
2 Weeks
8 Weeks
Thurston Co.
N/A
10 Days
Average time.
Walla Walla Co.
N/A
12-14 days in unincorporated county area.
West Richland
7,625
2-3 Days
3-4 Days
5-9 Days
Whatcom Co.
N/A
1 Month
In busy season, may be 6-7 weeks.
Whitman Co.
N/A
1 Week
2 Weeks
Winthrop
380
30 days, average
Yakima
65,500
3 Weeks
Less time in Winter, more in Summer