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Federal Way committee forwards ordinance to consolidate permit reviews into Community Development
Summary
The Land Use and Transportation Committee voted to send a draft ordinance to a June 2 public hearing that would move development review into the Community Development Department, keeping existing technical standards but shifting accountability to a single department head; staff said three reviewers (two traffic engineers and one civil plans reviewer) will move and there are no immediate standard changes.
The Federal Way Land Use and Transportation Committee voted to forward a draft ordinance that would move the city’s development review and permitting functions into the Community Development Department, a change staff said will create a single point of accountability for applicants.
City Manager Brian Davis told the committee the move is a code change that still must meet noticing requirements and is expected to return for public hearing and first reading on June 2, 2026. "Things really won't change from a standards standpoint," he said, adding that independent reviews such as fire, water, sewer and King County septic would remain unchanged.
Council member Melissa Hamilton asked whether technical reviews and traffic engineering capacity would move with the reorganization; Davis confirmed three staff will transfer — two traffic engineers and a civil plans reviewer — and said the immediate review procedures and standards will remain the same. He said some short-term flexibility issues (vacation/backup) will be mitigated by a consultant engagement and that any long-term staffing or efficiency changes would be assessed after the reorganization.
Council President Susan Honda pressed for hours of operation and public access; staff said permit center hours will remain and that Wednesday afternoons are closed at present. Council Member Les Cessums asked whether the reorganization would reduce full-time equivalents; staff said the work will continue at the same level of staffing and that budget impacts are expected to be minimal.
The motion to forward the ordinance to public hearing and first reading on June 2 passed unanimously at the committee meeting. The next step is the public hearing and then second-reading adoption if approved by the full council.
