HB 1353 — Establishing a self-certification program for accessory dwelling unit project permit applications.

H-1331.1H-0472.1 SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1353 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By House Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Ramel, Duerr, Reed, Doglio, and Nance)Nance READRead FIRSTfirst TIMEtime 02/13/25.01/16/25.

Referred to Committee on Local Government.

1 SHBHB 1353 (2)(a)(2) AAny cityself-certification program must adoptcomply with rules forto itsbe self-certificationpromulgated program.by the department for such programs.

(i)(a) Any professional requirements, other than the registration required in subsection (1) of this section, that must be met in order for an architect to qualify for the self-certification programprogram; within the city;

(ii)(b) Requirements for random audits of self-certified program permit applications,applications utilizing any randomization process the city deems appropriate, to ensure that submissions are satisfying applicable building code requirements, including a requirement that a minimum 20of five percent of applications,submissions orwithin fivea applications,calendar whicheveryear isbe fewer,audited, mustand bean auditedallowance eachfor calendarthe yearcity inoperating additionthe program to anyconduct additional nonrandom audits as the city deems necessary;

(iii)(c) Penalties for project permits that fail an audit, including any appropriate financial penalties and a requirement that an architect who has submitted an application that has failed an audit be temporarily prohibited from participating in the self- certification program for a period of not less than one year and that the submission of a second application that fails an audit within five years of a preceding submission that failed an audit will result in a permanent prohibition on participation in the self-certification program, and provisions for administrative hearing procedures to resolve any disputes over the results of an audit or resulting penalties;

(iv)(d) Requirements thatfor architects participating in the programmaintenance maintainof an appropriate level of professional liability insurance coverage asin determinedorder byto participate in the city.program.

(b)(3) AThe citydepartment mayshall adoptcreate anya additionalstandard rules,self-certification andform maythat exceedcities themay minimumuse rulesor inmodify thisat subsection,their asdiscretion thethat cityincludes, deemsat appropriate.a minimum:

(3) A city operating a self-certification program must create a self-certification form that includes, at a minimum:

(c) An agreement, signed by the property owner, the owner or authorized representative of the company that will construct the accessory dwelling unit for which the permit has been submitted, and p.

2 SHBHB 1353 (c) An agreement, signed by the property owner, the owner or authorized representative of the company that will construct the accessory dwelling unit for which the permit has been submitted, and the certifying architect, to protect, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the city operating the self-certification program for any claims or injuries connected with the design or construction of the accessory dwelling unit for which the self-certification program permit application was submitted, or for the issuance of a project permit pursuant to the self-certification program;

(5)(a) Any city operating a self-certification program shall submit aan annual report on its program to the departmentdepartment. by July 31, 2028.

Each report must be submitted by July 31st for the preceding calendar year.

and p.(iv) The results of any audits of self-certified project permit applications undertaken by the jurisdiction.

3p. SHB 1353 (iv) The results of any audits of self-certified project permit applications undertaken by the jurisdiction.

3 HB 1353 (b) The department shall submitpost aon reportits towebsite thea appropriatereport committees of the legislature by December 31,31st 2028,of each year summarizing the information received from cities pursuant to (a) of this subsection.

4 SHBHB 1353