Drafter
Bautista 06/22/2010
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AN ORDINANCE relating to extending the period for building permit approvals and amending Ordinance 12560, Section 18, as amended, and K.C.C. 16.02.290.
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BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings.
1. Over the past several years, King County has been looking for ways to revitalize our local and regional economy, especially in regards to the housing meltdown that is a key element of our local economic crisis.
2. On December 15, 2008, the Council adopted Motion 12901 to promote housing development, preserve and enhance the housing supply in King County, and ultimately create jobs and generate revenue for our jurisdiction.
3. On May 11, 2009, the Council adopted Ordinance 16515 to extend building permit approval periods because of poor economic conditions and difficulty in obtaining construction financing.
4. Poor economic conditions persist to this day and construction financing remains difficult to obtain.

5. A number of housing and building projects, which have been approved by King County, have continued to be delayed due to little movement of the existing housing inventory and are in a position of having to restart the development process because their permit approval periods are nearing an end. Restarting these projects will add to the cost of housing units, thereby contributing to keeping the housing market depressed.
SECTION 2. Ordinance 12560, Section 18, as amended, and K.C.C. 16.02.290 are each hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 105.5 of the International Building Code is not adopted and the following is substituted:
Expiration (IBC 105.5). Every permit issued by the building official under the provisions of the Code shall expire by limitation and become null and void one year from date of issue. Issued permits may be extended for one year periods subject to the following conditions:
1. An application for a permit extension together with the applicable fee is submitte...

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