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Gig Harbor council adopts permit-processing timelines ordinance; one member objects to fee-refund penalty
Summary
The Gig Harbor City Council adopted Ordinance 15-35 on Feb. 25, 2025, establishing local permit-review timelines to conform with recent state law and tying a penalty — refunding permit fees — to missed deadlines. The measure passed 6-1 after brief council discussion.
The Gig Harbor City Council on Feb. 25, 2025, approved Ordinance 15-35, establishing local permit-review timelines that implement requirements in state legislation and setting a refund of permit fees as the potential penalty for missed processing deadlines. The ordinance passed 6-1 during a first-reading action followed by immediate adoption.
The ordinance implements timelines tied to the state measure the presenter identified as House/Senate Bill 5290 and a related statewide effective date of Jan. 1, 2025. Community Development Director Eric Baker told the council the local rules mirror the state windows: 65 days for Type 1 administrative permits, 100 days for Type 2 reviews, and 170 days for Type 3/3A and rezone applications. Preliminary plats and short plats were noted at 90 days, with 30 days for final plats and short plats. Baker said the city will start the clock when an application is “determined complete” and noted multiple situations when the clock stops — for example, during applicant resubmittal, preparation of an environmental impact statement, hearings, or third-party technical reviews.
Baker also explained an escalation mechanism for repeated resubmittals: if the review requires more than two rounds of applicant returns and resubmittals, the ordinance adds 45 days for each additional round (for example, a Type 2 timeline would increase from 100 to 145 days on a third round). He told the council the city expects to rely on improved permit tracking through its SmartGov portal and closer internal coordination to minimize delays.
A point of contention at the meeting concerned the penalty tied to the statute. A council member said they would not support the ordinance because of the refund requirement, noting the city historically processed permits in a timely way and objecting to a state-imposed financial penalty. Mayor Pro Tem Lee Rodenberg presided over the vote; the motion carried 6-1.
The ordinance also clarifies that some approvals are not covered by these timelines, including special use permits, concurrency determinations, annexations, certain building permits, and grading permits reviewed by outside engineering firms. Baker emphasized applicants can request extensions and that the city will stop the clock for those extensions. He urged better public-facing guidance so applicants can submit complete applications and reduce resubmittal cycles.
No additional penalties or fee schedules beyond the refund requirement were established at the meeting. The council adopted the ordinance on the first reading by the supermajority vote; Baker said staff expects to monitor compliance going forward and to report as necessary.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 15-35, “Adopting procedures related to [state permit-timelines legislation],” motion passed 6-1.
What’s next: The ordinance takes effect according to the city’s adoption process; staff told council it will use SmartGov to track processing times and will report back on compliance and any instances requiring fee refunds.
