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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHEARING re Repetitive Use Build Program 082426 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 24, 2026 SUBJECT: Public Hearing and Potential Action on Adoption of an Ordinance Establishing a Repetitive Use Build Program for Affordable Housing, Amending Chapter 15.05 JCC 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"principal 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. DCD presented the parameters of the repetitive build program during an August 10, 2026, BoCC workshop. DCD prepared a proposed ordinance that provides authority for the Repetitive Use Build Program within Jefferson County Code by amending Chapter 15.05 JCC. The draft ordinance was made available for public comment and is now before the Board for public hearing and potential adoption. 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 the public hearing and consider adoption of the ordinance establishing the Repetitive Use Build Program. REVIEWED BY: r /II b-t Josh P. Peters, County Administrator Date 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, JCC 15.05.010 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) APPROVED and ADOPTED this _ day of , 2026. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Greg Brotherton, Chair SEAL: Heidi Eisenhour, Member Heather Dudley-Nollette, Member ATTEST: Carolyn Gallaway, CMC Date Clerk of the Board Approved as to form only: Philip Hunsucker Date Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney 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.