Since 01-01-2025, RCW 36.70B.080, as amended by 2SSB 5290, sets how long Washington cities and counties have to decide project permits. Owners hear about the new clocks and assume their building permit is on one. Usually it is not.
The three clocks
65 days for a final decision when no public notice is required.
100 days when public notice is required.
170 days when public notice and a hearing are required.
Counted from the completeness determination. Time waiting on the applicant after a written request for information does not count.
What the clocks do not cover
The same law removed building permits from the definition of a project permit. The state periods govern land use decisions, such as short plats, conditional uses and design review. Building plan review runs on each jurisdiction's own targets.
How to use them
Sequence the land use decision first. If a project needs land use approval, that decision is the first critical path item, and it now has a defined clock.
Answer requests fast. The clock stops while the applicant owes information, so a slow response is the one delay that never counts against the city.
Check each city's report. Cities publish annual permit performance reports under RCW 36.70B, which show how they actually perform.
What it means for a schedule
A realistic schedule has two parts: the land use decision on the state clock, and building review on the city's track record. The second part is where most of the variance sits, and where a complete submittal and one response per correction cycle pay off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Washington's 65, 100 and 170 day limits apply to building permits?
No. Building permits were removed from the definition of a project permit on 01-01-2025. The limits apply to land use project permits.
When does the clock start?
From the completeness determination, and time waiting on the applicant after a written request is not counted.
Where can I see how a city performs?
Cities post annual permit performance reports under RCW 36.70B.
Sources
Insights are general information researched from published sources on the date shown. Rules change, so confirm with the permitting authority before you act.
