Monroe planners advance code amendments to align permit processing with Washington Senate Bill 5290

Monroe planning staff presented proposed amendments to the city municipal code July 13 that would update permit categories and timelines to reflect requirements in Washington Senate Bill 5290 and related state rules.

Planner Kate, presenting the packet to the Monroe Planning Commission, said the state now specifies different review clocks depending on notice and hearing requirements: "If you have a permit that doesn't require any public notice, it should be done in 65 days. If you have a permit that requires noticing but not a public hearing, it should be done in 100 days. And if you have a public hearing, it's a 170." She added the city can stop the clock when it needs more information from an applicant.

The amendments make several operational changes. Staff proposed adding boundary line adjustments to the type 1 (administrative) permit table but noted in the packet that state statute excludes those…