News

ARTICLE
Date ArticleType
2/3/2025 Member News

Washington County Updates: New Proposed Fees, Staffing Update, Online Application System, Developer Forum


Carol Johnson Hired as LUT’s New Permitting Lead
Carol Johnson has been appointed as the new Planning and Development Services Division Manager for the Washington County Department of Land Use & Transportation (LUT). She will oversee the Building Services, Development Review/Current Planning, Community Planning, and Transportation Planning teams. Johnson joined LUT on November 25 and brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as the Planning Director for a consulting firm in Redwood City, Calif., and as the Land Use Planning Director for Multnomah County, where she was responsible for Current Planning, Long Range Planning, and Code Compliance. She has also led planning and development services teams in other counties and cities.

Washington County LUT Launches Building and Development Application System (BDAS)
The Washington County Department of Land Use & Transportation (LUT) has successfully launched the Building and Development Application System (BDAS), which began processing trade permits such as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. Early customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with users praising the system for its user-friendly interface and efficiency. Derrick Moon, Washington County's Building Official, highlighted that this is just the first phase of their online permit submission software rollout. The system is set to expand to include all building permits by June 30, 2025, with service timelines currently being met in a timely manner for tasks such as permit setup, reviews, and inspections.

BDAS integrates with the ProjectDox web tool to simplify the entire permitting process, allowing users to submit permits, upload project-related documents, and make payments for certain applications, such as electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and solar permits that don't require detailed plan reviews. For other types of permits, applicants can still submit their completed applications via email. LUT staff have emphasized that the goal of BDAS is to improve online access and streamline processes for building projects. To learn more or check permit status, visit the Washington County BDAS website at https://tinyurl.com/49v5zppn.

Washington County Proposes Building Permit Fee Increases: HBA to Host Feedback Meeting
The Washington County Department of Land Use & Transportation (LUT) is proposing an 8.5% annual fee increase for its Building Services and Development Review/Current Planning programs to address rising costs and maintain full-cost recovery. This increase, which would affect most fees, is part of an effort to support continued program effectiveness and ensure adequate land use code compliance and comprehensive plan updates. HBA has expressed concerns about the impact of these fee hikes, particularly on housing affordability, as fees have already increased by nearly 60% in the last two budget cycles.

In addition to the annual fee increase, new fees are being considered on building permits to support Community Planning and land use Code Compliance, aiming to offset reductions in the General Fund. To gather more feedback and provide further details, HBA will host a Zoom meeting with LUT on Friday, February 14th at 11am. A registration link will be provided to Washington County members to join the discussion and offer their input on the proposed changes.

LUT to Host Developer forum April 10th
The Washington County Development Forum is a twice-yearly event designed to give building and development industry professionals an opportunity to learn more about the county's development-related services, initiatives, and processing timelines. These forums also provide a chance to network with others in the industry and share valuable feedback on services. The 2024 Fall Development Forum is available to watch online. The upcoming Spring Development Forum will take place from 8:30-10 a.m. on April 10, 2025, with registration opening in March.