Government Affairs
Master Builders Pierce County Government Affairs staff works to analyze political candidates who are pro-housing and will be supportive of YOUR issues. With member support, the Government Affairs program continues to work with local jurisdictions to provide a better regulatory atmosphere for YOUR business.
Our Principles
The Master Builders Association of Pierce County government affairs program is an active participant in the policy and regulatory processes in Pierce County. Staff operates under the direction of the Legislative Strategy Committee (LSC) which is composed of members of Master Builders Pierce County. Under the LSC’s direction, our organization works to promote the following resolutions of Master Builders Pierce County:
- Removing regulatory and financial barriers to building affordable housing
- Promoting smart growth
- Advocating for government transparency in how permit and impact fees are calculated
- Working with local jurisdictions to ensure high levels of services and timely issuance of permits
Our Accomplishments
In cooperation with local elected officials, jurisdictional staff, community partners, and our Legislative Strategy Committee, the association’s Government Affairs efforts resulted in significant COVID relief for industry and legislative achievements that promoted attainable housing throughout Pierce County.” Some of the accomplishments in 2020 include the following:
- Advocated to delay the implementation of the 2018 State Building Code Updates until February 1, 2021.
- Worked with Pierce County Staff and the Department of Ecology to delay the implementation of the adopted Stormwater and Site Development Manual and extend the vesting period to July 1, 2021.
- Collaborated with jurisdictions to encourage permit and plat extensions as a COVID relief aid for the building industry. Additionally, the cities of Auburn and Puyallup deferred the collection of permit and impact fees to closing.
- Submitted a comprehensive plan amendment application in Pierce County to change density calculations from “net” to “gross” to achieve predictability, simplicity, flexibility, and better infill potential in the County.
- Successfully advocated for the passage of four community plans through the Centers and Corridors package to promote innovative zoning and attainable housing in central Pierce County.
Read more on the impact of building & growth in Pierce County
- 2021 Housing Summit Presentation by Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate
- 2021 Pierce County Jurisdictional Fee Matrix
- 2020 Government Affairs Retrospect Report
- 2020 NAHB Economic Impact Report – Washington State
- 2019 Housing Summit Presentation by NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz
- 2018 NAHB Local Impact of Home Building Report-Pierce County
- Comparing Costs to Revenue for Local Governments
- The Future of Development in Pierce County
