Bill to Alter Vesting Laws Passes Senate Committee

Today, the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee passed SB 5507 to dramatically alter the state’s vesting laws for building codes, zoning and growth management laws. This bill would shift the point in time for vesting projects under current laws from when a complete permit application is submitted to when the application is approved. The bill would basically eliminate vesting because if a law is changed before the start of “substantial construction” it allows changes in the laws to be applied retroactively and the permit to be divested or rescinded. For the Growth Management Act (GMA) it would apply all Growth Management Hearings Boards’ decisions to be applied retroactively and permits to be rescinded.