HomeMy WebLinkAboutHEARING NOTICE re: Repetitive Use Build Program - 081026 Please publish 2 times: August 12 and 19, 2026
Contact Person: Erin Martin
Bill to: Department of Community Development
621 Sheridan St
Port Townsend, WA 98368
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Public hearing for a new ordinance to establish a repetitive use build program in
Jefferson County.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing is scheduled by the Jefferson County Board of
Commissioners for MONDAY,August 24, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the Commissioners' Chambers,
County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 (HYBRID). Notice of said
hearing is to be published in the official newspaper of Jefferson County.
This hearing consists of changes to Jefferson County Code Chapter 15.05 related to building
permits and fees.
The information is available for viewing on the County website by visiting: www.co.jefferson.wa.us
and follow this pathway—Services—Laserfiche Web Portal(username and password is: public)-Board of
Commissioners—BOCC Agenda Packets—2026 Weekly Agenda Items—08 August 2026—082426—
HEARING re Repetitive Use Build Program
You are welcome to participate in this hearing. You will need to join the meeting by 10:45 a.m.
using the following methods: VIRTUALLY: Via the following Zoom, link:
https://zoom.us/j/93777841705, PHONE: Dial 1-253-215-8782 and enter access code: 937-7784-
1705#and press *9 to "raise your hand"to be called upon. Access for the hearing impaired can be
accommodated using Washington Relay Service at 1-800-833-6384,or IN-PERSON
In addition, written testimony is also invited beginning on August 12, 2026 and ending on August 24,
2026 at the end of the Public Hearing, unless extended by the Board of County Commissioners.Written
public testimony may be submitted by Email to: jeftboccAco jefferson.wa.us You may view documents
and testimony received by visiting: www.co.jefferson.wa.us and following this pathway—Services—
Laserfiche Web Portal (username and password is public)—Board of Commissioners—BOCC
Agenda Packets—2026 Weekly Agenda Items—08 August 2026—082426—HEARING re Repetitive
Use Build Program
You can also Mail your testimony to: Jefferson County Commissioners' Office; P.O. Box 1220, Port
Townsend, WA 98368. Written testimony must be received by the Board of County Commissioners by
the end of e hearing testimony period.
Sign:/ t 10, 20 e
_ IWO
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
/S/Greg Brotherton, Chair
STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
An Ordinance Establishing a Repetitive Use
Build Program for Affordable Housing, ORDINANCE NO.XX-XXXX-XX
Amending Chapter 15.05 JCC
WHEREAS, Jefferson County is a political subdivision of the state of Washington as
provided by Title 36 RCW and the Washington State Constitution Article XI, and may impose
fees to recoup the costs of processing permit applications and providing services to the public, as
permitted by RCW 82.02.020 and other statutes; and,
WHEREAS,JCC 15.05.010 provides that the purpose of chapter 15.05 JCC is to enhance
the health, safety, and welfare of the public by ensuring that dwellings, buildings, structures, and
land will be constructed, maintained, or used in a manner so as to reduce hazards, increase
durability, and provide consistent patterns of community development; and
WHEREAS, JCC15.05.010 charges the building official to issue permits, maintain
necessary records and files, and do or cause to be done all things necessary and proper for the
administration and enforcement of chapter 15.05 JCC (Building Codes); and,
WHEREAS, a Repetitive Use Build Program allowing the repeated use of previously
approved construction plans for qualifying projects that seek to replicate identical structures will
reduce duplicative plan review, improve permitting process efficiency, promote consistency in
code administration,and make more effective use of Jefferson County resources while maintaining
compliance with applicable building and fire codes; and,
WHEREAS, improving efficiency and predictability or the permitting process for
qualifying repetitive residential construction will support timely development of housing
opportunities within Jefferson County while protecting public health, safety, and welfare; and,
WHEREAS, JCC 3.80.020 authorizes the Jefferson County Department of Community
Development(DCD)to request adoption of new and updated fee schedules by resolution; and
WHEREAS, DCD will prepare updated fees associated with the Repetitive Use Build
Program in an amount reasonably related to Jefferson County's costs of administering the program
and reviewing qualifying permit application,
WHEREAS, in response to the public comment and testimony, additional improvements
to the draft ordinance have been made, and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, STATE OF WASHINGTON, AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Whereas Clauses are Findings of Fact. The Jefferson County Board of County
Commissioners (Board)hereby adopts the above recitals (the"WHEREAS" statements) as its
findings of fact supporting this ordinance.
2. Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to adopt a Repetitive Use Build Program, allowing
the repeated use of previously approved construction plans for qualifying projects that seek to
replicate identical structures to reduce the costs of building.
Section 3.Amendments to Chapter 15.05 JCC.Chapter 15.05 JCC is amended to add a new Section
15.05.062 and to amend Section 15.05.025,both as set forth in Appendix A.
Section 4. Severability. The provisions of this ordinance are declared separate and severable. If
any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or section of this ordinance or its application to
any person or circumstances is held invalid,then the remainder of this ordinance or application of
its provisions to other persons or circumstances shall be fully valid and shall not be affected.
Section 5. SEPA Compliance. This ordinance is categorically exempt from the State
Environmental Policy Act under WAC 197-11-800(19).
Section 6. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect and be in full force immediately upon
passage by the Board.
(SIGNATURES FOLLOW ON NEXT PAGES)
APPENDIX A—ADDITION TO CHAPTER 15.05 JCC
15.05.062 Repetitive Use Build Program
(1) Purpose. The Building Official may institute a program to facilitate the repeated use of
construction plans. The Repetitive Use Build Program allows repeated use of residential building
plans for identical structures. The purpose of the program is to create a more efficient, cost
saving procedure by reducing redundant plan reviews, and to support the availability of
affordable housing in Jefferson County.
(2) Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(a) `Blanket letter"means a single letter, submitted in lieu of individual site-specific letters,
in which the designer and Engineer of Record(when applicable) declare that an approved
primary plan is appropriate for each lot identified in the letter within a specific plat or
subdivision, accompanied by a plat map showing the location of each lot to which the
letter applies.
(b) "Design option" means a variation in a primary plan, such as an alternate exterior finish,
floor plan configuration, foundation type, or similar variation, that does not alter the size
or use of the structure, and that is included and identified as an option within the plan set
reviewed and approved as part of the primary plan, and that may be selected for
construction without requiring the primary plan to be re-established as a new primary
plan.
(c) "Designer"means the architect, engineer, or other person responsible for the preparation
of the plans submitted for review under this section.
(d) "Engineer of Record"means the professional engineer, licensed under chapter 18.43
RCW, who has prepared or is responsible for the structural or other engineering
components of a primary plan.
(e) "Primary plan"means a set of construction plans for a proposed structure, including all
associated design options, that has been reviewed and approved by the building official
under this section as eligible for repeated use in the Repetitive Use Build Program.
(f) "Repetitive Use Build Program"means the program established under this section
allowing the repeated use of an approved primary plan for the construction of identical
structures on multiple building sites.
(g) "Site-specific letter"means a letter, prepared and signed by the designer and Engineer of
Record (when applicable), that declares an approved primary plan is appropriate for a
specific lot identified in the letter.
(3) Eligibility.
(a) A primary plan may be established for residential dwellings within the scope of the
International Residential Code as adopted and amended in JCC 15.05.030(2), including
detached one- and two-family dwellings, townhouses, duplexes, and multiplex dwellings
of three to six units where such dwellings are within the scope of the International
Residential Code as adopted and amended by the state. A primary plan may also be
established for private garages attached to a dwelling eligible under this subsection, only
where identified as such on the building supplemental application.
(b) A primary plan established and approved under this section is not transferable and may
be used only by the applicant who established the primary plan,unless the department
has approved a written request to assign the primary plan to another party.
(c) A primary plan may not be used on a lot located within a critical area regulated under
chapter 18.22 JCC, including but not limited to a wetland, geologically hazardous area,
frequently flooded area, or shoreline buffer.
(4) Site-Specific and Blanket Letters. Eligible projects will require the designer to declare that
the project constructed on a project site shall be accompanied by a site-specific letter from the
designer and Engineer of Record (when applicable)that states the building design is appropriate
for the lot. For buildings being constructed in a plat or subdivision, a blanket letter, that identifies
all the lots,may be substituted for site-specific letters. A copy of the plat map showing the lot
locations shall be included in the blanket letter.
(5) Copyright Authorization. Plans submitted for approval under the Repetitive Use Build
Program that are designed by a registered architect or professional engineer or are otherwise
protected by federal copyright laws shall be accompanied by a document signed by the holder of
copyright protection authorizing its copying and repeated use.
(6) Design Options; Revisions; Validity Period.
(a) All proposed design options shall be included on the plan set submitted for review to
establish the primary plan. At the time of permit application utilizing an approved
primary plan, all design options to be constructed shall be clearly identified in the
application materials. Revisions to approved primary plans other than identifying chosen
design options are not permitted without establishing the revised plan as a new primary
plan. Plans submitted with revisions not previously approved as a design option will be
reviewed as a non-repetitive build application.
(b) A primary plan established under subsection(3)(a) of this section for a structure within
the scope of the International Residential Code is valid and eligible for repeated use for
one International Residential Code cycle as adopted by chapter 51-51 WAC and JCC
15.05.030(2). A primary plan established under subsection(3)(a) of this section for a
structure within the scope of the International Building Code is valid and eligible for
repeated use for one International Building Code cycle as adopted by chapter 51-50
WAC and JCC 15.05.030(1).
(c) At the time that a primary plan's eligibility lapses, it must be reestablished and reviewed
for compliance with the new code cycle.
(d) Allowable options for a primary plan may include, but are not limited to, different
attached garage sizes and configurations, elevations, energy code compliance methods,
bay windows, skylights, reversals (mirror-image), or similar construction features that do
not alter the size or use of the structure.
(7) Permit Issuance. Building permit applications utilizing an approved primary plan shall be
issued provided the required application has been received, assessed fees have been paid, and
other required documentation regarding the suitability of the lot or land on which the building is
to be constructed is found to be in compliance with the title 18 JCC (Unified Development
Code), chapter 18.22 JCC (Critical Areas Ordinance), chapter 18.25 JCC (Shoreline Master
Program), title 15 JCC (Buildings and Construction), , and any other law enforced by Jefferson
County regulating construction of buildings.
(8) Revocation. The building official may revoke or cancel an approved primary plan upon a
determination that the plan, or the applicant's use of the plan, no longer meets the requirements
of this section, including misuse of the program, submittal of inaccurate information in support
of the primary plan or a site-specific or blanket letter, or unauthorized transfer of the primary
plan under subsection(3)(b)of this section.
(9) Fees. Fees for establishing and using a primary plan under this section are set forth in JCC
15.05.025(4).
Supplemental Code Changes and Additions
15.05.025 Fees collection authorized.
The county building official shall collect fees authorized under this chapter and chapter 3.80
JCC.
(1) Residential and commercial building permit fees, unless the project qualifies as a large
project, are determined by the building value or value of the improvement as calculated by either
using the square footage of the project multiplied by the square foot construction cost, as
compiled by the International Code Council (ICC) and published by the Building Safety Journal
magazine biannually, or the value of the improvement, whichever is higher. For improvements
not covered in the ICC table, applicants may be asked to provide the valuation for those projects
(i.e., remodels, decks, or other components of a construction project). For single-family
residences, the permit fee may include all improvements of the structure, i.e.,mechanical or
plumbing permits, fixture fees, and plan review. For commercial projects, the permit fee includes
the main structure only; supporting elements such as mechanical and plumbing, etc., will have a
separate fee based on the improvement.
(2)Where the values are unclear the department will use RS Means or Saylor Publications Inc.
or other regionally accepted valuation determination publication, or contract documents.
(3) Mechanical and plumbing fees are included in the building permit fee for new single-family
residences. For all other permit types, mechanical and plumbing fees are based on a base
minimum fee.
(4) Repetitive Use Build Program Fees. Fees for establishing and using a primary plan under
JCC 15.05.062, including the initial plan establishment fee and the plan check fee for subsequent
building permit applications, shall be established by resolution pursuant to chapter 3.80 JCC. The
plan check fee for subsequent building permit applications shall be assessed in lieu of the plan
review otherwise bundled into the permit fee under subsection(1)of this section.
Jefferson County
Washington
Jefferson County Repetitive Use Build Program
Workshop presented to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners
August 10, 2026
Jeremy Williammee— Director, Community Development
Brandon Brown —Senior Building Inspector, Plans Examiner, Community Development
Gabriel Shepherd —Community Development Tech (Lead)
C O N S U LTA N T S
Phil Cecere— Plans Examiner, BHC Consultants, LLC
Background
• DCD has previously briefed the Board (most recently on October 6, 2025) on potential solutions to help
support affordable housing utilizing efficiencies in repetitive construction methods at scale.
• The current proposal is based on the efficient utilization of DCD staff time on the review process when
performing plan examination for repetitive structures at scale.
• Proposed process efficiencies support DOD's requirement for cost recovery while establishing a savings to
the applicant through a reduction in permitting fees for subsequent reviews of like plan sets.
• Similar programs have successfully been implemented in neighboring jurisdictions including Kitsap and
Mason Counties.
• Historically, this type of program was not conducive to the type of construction common in Jefferson
County, but with the advent of sewer service in the Port Hadlock/Irondale UGA, new opportunities and
needs have arisen.
Guiding Principles
• DCD has well established reasonable fees, with a baseline set
through a comprehensive fee study conducted in 2024.
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• Based on International Code Council (ICC) Building Safety ey zk
Journal Valuation Data, published twice annually. This is the ,�`ti� '1 W �l' !� ����6,,
industry standard. \ it ,
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• Annual participation in the Building Fee Survey conducted —
across western Washington, which provides benchmarking �\� —=- __._.,-., E
against peers. _-r-
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• Based on this, and with a model of 100% ; :coverY, fewsolutionsto reduce permting fees are av ' ii ®s�sF
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• Plan Review efficiency is one of the most impactful ways of e% y , sF
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meeting this goal. 63v 3`'--.6 - �"
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• Inspections and permit administration tasks (i.e. permit creation
and issuance in system) remain cost recoverable and are not
impacted by this program.
Jefferson County Department of Community Development
Repetitive Use Build (RUB) Program Outline
• Fees cross checked through the Building Department
Administration Handbook.
• Fee to establish a Primary Plan: fee intended to support
admin time for increased processing of plans.
• Fee for a subsequent use plan: reduced plan check fees
for reviewing efficiency.
• Inspection process continues as a normal permit and 4
remains cost recoverable and revenue neutral.
Note: Additional efficiencies may be sought in the inspection process, including combination inspections and grouping of inspections on the
same site to reduce the number of site visits, travel time, and mileage. This is a separate process to complement the RUB program and may be
authorized by the DCD Director under a Large Project Agreement (JCC 3.80.060).
4
A Shared Commitment
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The success of the program relies on a shared goal between the County, developer/project manager, and contractor(s);
clear and transparent communication to meet construction and scheduling milestones; and coordinated effort to identify
additional efficiencies and ensure the quality of the end permit experience.
5
Permit Fee Estimates
Mason Street Neighborhood as a real-life example*
Plan Duplex Plan 1 Duplex Plan 2 Fourplex Plan 1 Fourplex Plan 2 Fourplex Plan 3 Totals
Building Plan Quantity 8 16 6 11 5 46
Build Base $ 4,257 $ 4,322 5 7,215 $ 7,356 5 7,638
standard 65°%% $ 2,767.05 $ 2,809.30 $ 4,689.75 $ 4,781.40 $ 4,964.7C
1x (85%) 3,618.45 3,673.7C, 6,132.75 $ 6,252.60 $ 6,492.30
Subsequent 120%4) 851.40 _ 864.4E 1,443.00 $ 1,471.20 $ 1,527.6C
Repettttve Sanngs 2,767.05 2,809.30 4,689.75 4,781.40 4,964.7E
Establish RUB Basic Plan (1x) $ 7,875.45 $ 7,995.7E $ 13,347.75 $ 13,608.60 $ 14,130.30 $ 56,957.80
Total Repetitive Plans $ 35,758.80 $ 77,796.0E $ 43,290.00 $ 88,272.00 $ 36,662.40 $281,779.20
Total Plan Cost per Plan $ 43,634.25 $ 85,791.7E $ 56,637.75 $ 101,880.60 $ 50,792.70 $338,737.00
CostwithoutRUB 56,192.40 114,100.8E 71,428.50 133,511.40 63,013.50 438,246.60
(RUB) savings based on quantities 12,558.15 28,309.1E 14,790.75 31,630.80 12,220.80 99,509.60
The RUB program as proposed presents an estimated savings of $99.5k over the life of the project.
*Estimate based on current replication per site plan. 2026 build cycle fees and available information at time of presentation.
0
Next Steps
0 Public Notice
Published in the Leader on 08/12/2026 and 08/19/2026
NI
411 Public Hearing and Potential Action
08/24/2026 at 11:00 AM rr joilli.0
411 Fee Resolution i
Per JCC 3.80 — September 2026
a
Program Launch
4 Fall 2026
* Jefferson County
Washington
Questions
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Josh Peters, County Administrator
FROM: Jeremy Williammee, Community Development Director
DATE: August 10, 2026
SUBJECT: WORKSHOP and Approval of Hearing Notice re: Repetitive Use Build Program
Establishment
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
The creation of housing availability and affordability at all income levels is a core policy goal outlined in
Jefferson County's Comprehensive Plan and the County Strategic Plan. In prior workshops with the
Board of County Commissioners (BoCC),the Department of Community Development(DCD)has
explored options that could help incentivize developers to participate in building affordable housing.
The proposed repetitive use build program is one way to facilitate cost savings and find efficiencies in
workflow in cases where affordable housing producers seek replicate standard plan sets at scale,thereby
achieving savings in plan review and permitting. The program provides an avenue for the same set of
plans to be used and reused to reproduce the same structure on the same or multiple sites. These
efficiencies are designed to strike a balance between cost recovery for statutorily mandated review
services while removing barriers for affordable housing construction within Jefferson County.
ANALYSIS:
The proposed Repetitive Use Build Program will align DCD's plan review, inspection, and administrative
processes for optimum efficiency, allowing savings generated at scale to be realized.
Following the established model for 100% fee recovery and following the fee study previously conducted;
the program builds on efficiencies on processing permits, establishing new work classes and submittal
templates within the EPL platform to streamline permit intake.
Plan review is conducted upfront to establish a plan and then checked against a stored"master copy" for
consistency and reduced review time. While the primary savings will come during the upfront plan review
process, DCD will also look to optimize other aspects of the process. This will include inspection
efficiency by scheduling and combining required inspections in a way that should reduce overall site visits,
individual trips, mileage and staff time.
The success of the program relies largely on a unified goal between the developer, contractor and the
County. Transparent communication and clear goals and milestones through the life of the project will
guide and ultimately determine the quality of the product and success of the program.
Habitat for Humanity's Mason Street Neighborhood, a planned 136-unit affordable housing development,
presents an ideal opportunity to pilot and refine this approach with a collaborative partner to advance
shared housing goals. Commitments to support and establish the program have been memorialized in a
Large Project Agreement.
As DCD will present during the workshop, establishment of the program will require the preparation and
approval of an ordinance to provide authority within Jefferson County Code.
FISCAL IMPACT/COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS:
Fees for the program are based on DCD's existing fee schedule. Permit submittal fees to establish a
repetitive use build primary plan to cover the additional administrative time for a permit tech to record
and store the primary plan. There are significant savings for plan review on the subsequent use of the
primary plan. This reinforces the requirement for DCD to maintain a 100% cost recovery and relies on
efficiencies in workflow and technology via digital plan review without requiring additional budget or
fiscal support from the County.
RECOMMENDATION:
The BoCC should hold this public workshop to receive updates program formation, review the draft
ordinance, and approve noticing of a public hearing.
REVIEWED BY:
(5/9`6
Jo D. Peters, County Administrator Date