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Posts for Land Use Administration

2 women apply for a permit at a counter

Tips for Timely and Predictable Local Government Permitting

October 9, 2024  by  Leonard Bauer
Category:  Land Use Administration

Timely, predictable, and transparent permit processes are key to achieving local economic, housing, and environmental protection goals, and help build trust in government. Such processes can be improved in a number of ways, from jargon-free documents to ongoing staff training.

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A bee on a yellow daisy

Save the Bees: How Local Governments Can Protect Pollinator Habitat

August 27, 2024  by  Katie Buckley
Category:  Guest Author ,  Environmental Policy and Management ,  Land Use Administration ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Pollinators are a critical component of a healthy ecosystem, impacting food security, the abundance of local flora, and agricultural earnings. Local governments can play a role in protecting critical habitat for pollinators with innovative strategies and smart land use policies. 

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Two people look on while a third presents an architectural design

Impending Deadline of January 1 to Address SB 5290’s New Development Timelines

August 7, 2024  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Land Use Administration ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Beginning in 2025, GMA-planning counties and cities must follow new state-based timelines for issuing a final decision on applications for land use review. However, localities can — up to end of this year — adjust their timelines for review (and bypass the state ones).

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A group sitting around a table reviews construction plans

2023 Legislative Updates to Modernize and Streamline Local Project Review

September 5, 2023  by  Jill Dvorkin
Category:  Land Use Administration ,  New Legislation and Regulations

In 2023, SB 5290 introduced legislative tweaks to local project review to improve process predictability, including the establishment of grant and technical assistance programs to help local governments build the resources needed for timely permit processing.

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Six Suggested Actions for Planners during the Extended COVID-19 Pandemic

January 28, 2021  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Streets and Sidewalks ,  Strategies and Programs ,  Land Use Administration

This blog suggests some action items planners can undertake during the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage commerce, promote recreational opportunities, and streamline the planning process. 

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Trial by Zoom: Using Online Platforms in Administrative Proceedings, Trials, and Oral Arguments

December 28, 2020  by  Clara Park
Category:  Guest Author ,  Courts and Criminal Justice System ,  COVID-19 ,  Land Use Administration

This blog post discusses the current state of virtual proceedings and offers pointers for anyone navigating the shift from in-person to virtual proceedings.

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2020 Legislative Outcomes for Planning and Land Use-Related Issues

June 25, 2020  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Land Use Administration ,  New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post summarizes major planning/land use-related bills that were passed during the 2020 Washington State legislative session. 

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Quickly Switching Over to an Online Permitting/Plan Review System

June 18, 2020  by  Steve Butler
Category:  COVID-19 ,  Land Use Administration

This blog post highlights local planning/building departments that quickly converted from a traditional permitting/plan review process to an online system.

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Yim I and Yim II Clarify Washington Regulatory Takings and Substantive Due Process Law

January 2, 2020  by  Roger Wynne
Category:  Guest Author ,  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Land Use Administration

This blog post addresses Yim I and Yim II,  two recent Washington Supreme Court rulings that clarify the state's regulatory takings and substantive due process jurisprudence.

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Providing Exceptional Customer Service at Your Permit Counter

November 30, 2018  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Land Use Administration

This blog post looks at how a city, town, or county can take steps to ensure its front desk staff provide excellent customer service at the permit counter. 

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The Culverts Case: An Overview and Potential Implications for Local Governments

June 20, 2018  by  Jill Dvorkin
Category:  Land Use Administration

This blog takes a look at the Culverts Case and potential implications for local governments in Washington State.

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December 2017 Land Use Case Law Update

January 4, 2018  by  Jill Dvorkin
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Land Use Administration

Legal Consultant Jill Dvorkin reviews the top land use cases from the latter half of 2017. These cases were heard by the State Supreme Court and may impact Washington State local governments in the future. 

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Recent Changes to Washington’s Land Use and Planning Laws

August 31, 2017  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Land Use Administration ,  New Legislation and Regulations

The most recent Washington state legislative session resulted in changes to the Growth Management Act and tweaks to other land use/planning-related statutes. This blog post will provide a summary of some of those recently passed bills.

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Grassy meadow with trees, lake, and mountain in background

Land Use Case Law Update Recap

December 21, 2016  by  Jill Dvorkin
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Land Use Administration

In our recent Land Use Case Law Update webinar, Phil Olbrechts and Jill Dvorkin discussed key land use cases decided, for the most part, within the past six months. In this blog post, I will briefly recap the cases we covered during the webinar.

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Should Legislative Bodies Conduct Quasi-Judicial Hearings?

August 31, 2016  by  Joseph W. Tovar
Category:  Guest Author ,  Land Use Administration

In our latest Planning Advisor column, Joe Tovar argues that city, town, and county councils should remove themselves from quasi-judicial roles and delegate that authority to hearing examiners instead.

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8 Key Components of an Effective Planning-related Staff Report

March 23, 2016  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Land Use Administration

An overview and some tips about what makes a quality planning staff report.

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Taking Deliberate Steps to Improve The Development Permitting Process

August 31, 2015  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Land Use Administration

A look at how Redmond, Renton, and Kittitas County improved their permit processes using lean.

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sacramento-bungalow-plan.jpg

What’s Not to Like? – Pre-Approved Plans Offer Faster Permitting, Cheaper Housing, Quality Design

July 3, 2014  by  Sue Enger
Category:  Land Use Administration

It is probably fair to say that most homeowners or builders who visit city hall (or the county) for a single family or small project permit, have less than fond memories...

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