Submitted by San Juan County.

During the Oct. 21 workshop Council meeting, staff from the Department of Community Development provided a progress update since the Council approved a series of steps to improve services in July.

“There’s still a lot of frustration out there – and I hear that, we hear that – but there is a very dedicated team that is putting in a lot of effort to get back to a level of customer service we want to see for this department,” said Kyle Dodd, deputy director for health and community services and interim for DCD.

DCD leadership provided an update in four main areas: recruitment of open positions, status of third-party reviews, review of permit timelines and the status of large projects.

Recruitment

Since July, the County has hired a planning manager and a permit technician, adding valuable expertise and capacity to the department. Recruitment efforts continue for a code enforcement officer, department director and records specialist.

Third-party reviews

The County hired a consultant in July and began the extensive onboarding process in August that included training on theCounty’s SmartGov system (https://co-sanjuan-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/Public/Homeimplementing), implementing code review standards and developing a standardized review process and workflow. The consultant began reviewing permits in August with a focus on building permit applications submitted in 2024 and larger/older land use permits.

Weekly team check-ins continue to serve as opportunities to work through questions, develop reporting systems and improve review times. Currently, County staff remain the key contact point for applicants, working with the public to submit additional information as needed, process fees and issue the final permit.

The consultant team has decades of combined planning experience and has even added an additional team member to tackle the backlog of permits. As of today’s meeting, the team is reviewing building permits submitted in May.

Review of permit timelines

To date in 2024, DCD has issued 480 building permits and 137 land use permits. Department leadership continues to seek standardized reporting metrics for outstanding permits, average review time and other key measures of process, timing and efficiency.

DCD also issued 125 mechanical permits (such as solar permits) with an average review time of about 42 days.

The department continues to work through a backlog of applications from 2022 and 2023. All are in various stages of review with several only awaiting final applicant fees.

Large projects

DCD is responsible for more than just issuing permits. The department is currently working on a number of other large projects including:

The 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update. The department is working alongside a consultant to complete the latest update by December 2025. Public engagement opportunities are underway, and more information can be found on the project’s engage website at https://engage.sanjuancountywa.gov/2025-comp-plan-update.

The update will include a new climate element that will merge with the plan in early 2025, see https://engage.sanjuancountywa.gov/climate-action.

Housing needs assessment and land capacity analysis. The Comp Plan Update consultant, Otak, is currently developing this analysis which will be brought forth for Council and public input.

Critical areas ordinance. The department is working with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to follow appropriate guidelines and is in the process of developing a request for proposals. The CAO update has a goal completion of December 2025.

New vacation rental applications. These applications are still under a moratorium until a process is developed and approved by Council. DCD anticipates sharing a proposal with Council in January.

Shoreline master program. The department is working on shoreline planning, education and compliance projects. This includes improving permitting software, creating a user guide and other educational materials for shoreline permit holders, and hosting a workshop this fall for permit professionals and other local agencies.

Code revisions. DCD is in the process of clarifying land use tables and revising redundant and contradictory language. This work is happening in tandem with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, County Council, and the Planning Commission.

DCD leadership plans to return to Council with future updates in the coming months. Until then, staff noted cautious optimism about improving permit review times.

“It feels like there’s the tiniest bit of light at the end of the tunnel after an incredibly dark chapter,” said Council Member Christine Minney. “So, I’m really glad to hear that things are going in the right direction.”