Kootenai County staff report faster permit reviews, more large projects in 2025 year‑end review

Kootenai County Community Development staff presented a fiscal year 2025 year‑end review at a public meeting Oct. 23, 2025, reporting faster permit review times, higher‑than‑expected revenues and an increase in large projects while noting an existing backlog in longstanding code compliance cases.

Craig Davidson, deputy director for community development operations, told Commissioners Eberlein and Matari that total permits in fiscal 2025 were 2,799 and that average review times have fallen compared with 2024. "The reduction in the goal is a good thing. That means it's taking us less time to review these things," Davidson said, pointing to improvements in staff efficiency and revised review processes.

The report showed a notable uptick in higher‑value permits: seven permits exceeded $2,000,000 in value in 2025, and 38 permits were in the $1,000,000–$2,000,000 range. Davidson said most of the largest permits were residential and that the county also saw an increase in complex commercial projects, including several large metal and condominium‑style buildings.

Staff described several operational changes that contributed to improved throughput. County inspectors were consolidated to allow multiple inspections per site visit, which staff said reduced the total number of scheduled inspections by about 1,080 between 2024 and 2025. Garrett Kenny, Planner III, reported that front counter staff handle about 600 voicemails per planner (with six planners on staff) and aim to return calls within one business day. Kenny also said the department has tightened plan quality checks, which has increased the rate of returns for corrections but improved the reliability of approvals.

Planning Manager Ben Tarbutton said the planning division saw a 3.6% increase in projects received year over year. He noted a 30% rise in zone change applications and explained that market forces and older zoning maps are driving many requests. "That's really outside of our control and a reflection of changes over time in the marketplace," Tarbutton said, adding that policy work from an upcoming comprehensive plan revision should help the county anticipate and manage such requests.

Code compliance metrics were presented by George Sepulveda, Code Compliance Officer. Sepulveda said the department had 307 new cases in 2025 and closed 293 cases, with an average case resolution time of about 35 days for matters closed this year. He also said the department has a longer backlog that includes older files; the earliest unresolved case on the record dates to 2007. Sepulveda estimated a 60%–70% compliance rate after issuance of a courtesy notice, meaning many matters are resolved before a formal notice of violation is required.

Revenue and collections were higher than projected. Davidson and Sepulveda said code compliance and other divisions collected about 177% of projected revenue for the year; staff cited a projected figure of $26,880 and year‑to‑date collections of $47,539 as the example presented in the meeting.

Sepulveda highlighted a multi‑year remediation case at a property known as Bonanza Ranch on Templin Trail, where the new owner removed more than 86,000 pounds of debris and the streambank was reseeded following removal of railroad ties that had been installed without a permit. "This is one of the better remediation projects we've seen," a staff presenter said when displaying before‑and‑after photos.

Commissioners and staff discussed options to reduce barriers to reporting code problems, including accepting complaints from homeowner associations or groups of neighbors so individuals are not singled out. Commissioners also asked whether staff could be empowered to initiate enforcement when they observe violations in the field; staff said some jurisdictions operate that way but it requires training and clear discretion policies.

No formal motions or votes were taken during the item; the presentation was a department review and discussion. The meeting concluded after questions and comments and the board adjourned at 10:35 a.m.

The department said it will incorporate zoning and policy recommendations into the forthcoming comprehensive plan update and continue tracking permit timelines and inspection consolidation efforts as part of its ongoing operational improvements.