In a landmark moment for housing development in Washington State, the passing of Senate Bill 5290 heralds a new era of efficiency and progress in residential permitting. This transformative legislation, coupled with generous grants of up to $3 million per jurisdiction, is set to accelerate the pace of housing development and renovations across the state.
At Accela, we’re poised to assist Washington jurisdictions in meeting and surpassing the demands of this groundbreaking bill. Our proven track record in cities like Seattle and Tacoma allows us to help you meet and exceed these new requirements.
What does Senate Bill 5290 mean for your jurisdiction?
According to the Washington Department of Commerce, the state of Washington must construct over 1.1 million homes in the next 20 years to tackle the current housing crisis. More than half of these homes must also be affordable for residents in the lowest income brackets.
Senate Bill 5290 seeks to modernize permitting systems, providing grants to update the systems from paper to electronic, provides grants to augment permit review staff, and sets deadlines on when permits must be reviewed by, to be enforced by partial refunds on permitting fees if these deadlines are not met.
Washington passed numerous bills, including SB 5290, to combat the state’s housing crisis. The Bill encourages local governments to streamline their permitting processes for new housing. According to the legislation, “Senate Bill 5290 seeks to modernize permitting systems, providing grants to update the systems from paper to electronic, provides grants to augment permit review staff, and sets deadlines on when permits must be reviewed by, to be enforced by partial refunds on permitting fees if these deadlines are not met.”
How can Accela help?
Accela’s solutions are tailor-made to fulfill the mandates of SB 5290, offering an easy transition from paper-based to digital permitting systems. Our platform is designed to digitally submit, review, and approve permit applications, fully supporting the bill’s initiative to modernize permitting processes.
Washington insists that all governments embrace digital processes by the end of 2024 or face consequences like fines.
With SB 5290 setting strict timelines and reporting requirements, Accela’s robust reporting tools make compliance straightforward. Jurisdictions can easily generate performance reports, ensuring transparency and accountability in meeting the bill’s objectives for quicker permit processing times.
Your jurisdiction can also experience enhanced efficiency with mobile inspections. Mobile inspections allow inspectors to access, update, and complete inspections from any location, reducing turnaround times and increasing the capacity to handle more daily inspections. This mobility ensures inspectors can provide timely services and feedback, which is crucial for keeping projects moving swiftly through the permitting process.
With the grant application period on the horizon, we encourage Washington jurisdictions to explore how Accela can serve as the backbone of their permitting modernization efforts. Accela’s commitment to innovation and customer success positions us as the ideal partner for jurisdictions aiming to enhance their permitting processes and contribute to the state’s affordable housing goals.
