Washington State Legislature Extends the Time Period for Final Plat Approval

Authored by:  Lloyd Chee

In Substitute Senate Bill 6544, the 2010 legislature extended the time period for submitting final plats for approval by cities and counties from five years to seven years.  This extension went into effect on June 10, 2010, and sunsets on December 31, 2014.  It appears to apply to all preliminary plats approved prior to the effective date that have not yet expired under the previous provisions of RCW 58.17.140.  This legislation also extends the period in which lots in final plats are protected as a valid land use to seven years (up from five years) for those final plats filed for record with the county auditor on or before December 31, 2014.  Click here to read the full text of the legislation.