Orting adopts updated architectural-design review guidelines to match state RCW changes

Orting — The Orting City Council voted Wednesday to adopt updated architectural-design review (ADR) guidelines intended to clarify design criteria and shorten review timelines following recent state law changes.

Scott Larson, briefing the hearing for staff, said the state updated RCW 35.70A.630 in 2024 to require municipal ADR codes to be "clearer and more ascertainable" and to limit the number of required public meetings for applicants. "The goal is to speed up the design review process," Larson said, adding that the city must update its ADR within six months of its comprehensive-plan update.

Larson said staff and planning commissioners worked with local businesses and utility-billing customers to solicit feedback during the code rewrite process. "All the comments that we received are part of the record tonight," he said.

Councilmember Holland moved to adopt the ordinance making the ADR changes; Deputy Mayor Koenig seconded the motion, and the council approved it on a voice vote.

Why it matters: The revisions are intended to make design review requirements more specific and to reduce review time for applicants by allowing only one required appearance before planning commission for a design review in most cases, consistent with the updated RCW. City staff said the changes should reduce ambiguity and staff time spent on repeated design reviews.

Council discussion praised staff outreach to local businesses and the Master Builders Association for input. The ordinance was adopted at the meeting; staff said the version adopted matched the draft presented at the prior study session.