County gives builders more time to construct homes without penalty

Snohomish County has approved legislation that allows for additional extensions on preliminary permit approvals for residential subdivisions.

County Executive Aaron Reardon proposed the extensions in February, making good on a promise he made during his State of the County address in January.

The new ordinance, which now goes back to Reardon for his signature, allows permit holders for subdivisions to request up to a three-year extension of preliminary plat approval, giving them as many as eight years to complete a project after permits are approved. Previous code only allowed for a one-year extension of a five-year preliminary plat permit.

"We proposed this legislation in February because the regional housing market had severely declined alongside the national economy," Reardon said. "I'm pleased to see the county council supported a measure that will provide the time needed to obtain financing and complete construction as the economy begins improving."

Since Reardon first proposed the measure, other counties, including King and Pierce, have adopted similar measures.

In February, Reardon convened a summit of builders, bankers and analysts to look for ways to improve the commercial and residential building industries in Puget Sound. Many projects in the region already had come to a standstill, and several builders had filed for bankruptcy over a downturn in residential sales.

More than 200 participants offered their ideas, including clear support for the extensions.

"Not only do the extensions help local businesses, but in the end, they'll allow for newly constructed homes to continue as financing becomes available," Reardon said. "That keeps Snohomish County and the region competitive for new business and strengthens the economy."

Without the extensions, the cost to resubmit preliminary permit applications is about $12,000 per lot.