RCW 58.17.330Hearing examiner system—Adoption authorized—Procedures—Decisions.(1) As an alternative to those provisions of this chapter requiring a planning commission to hear and issue recommendations for plat approval, the county or city legislative body may adopt a hearing examiner system and shall specify by ordinance the legal effect of the decisions made by the examiner. The legal effect of such decisions shall include one of the following:(a) The decision may be given the effect of a recommendation to the legislative body;(b) The decision may be given the effect of an administrative decision appealable within a specified time limit to the legislative body; or(c) The decision may be given the effect of a final decision of the legislative body.The legislative authority shall prescribe procedures to be followed by a hearing examiner.(2) Each final decision of a hearing examiner shall be in writing and shall include findings and conclusions, based on the record, to support the decision. Each final decision of a hearing examiner, unless a longer period is mutually agreed to by the applicant and the hearing examiner, shall be rendered within ten working days following conclusion sion. Each final decision of a hearing examiner, unless a longer period is mutually agreed to by the applicant and the hearing examiner, shall be rendered within ten working days following conclusion of all testimony and hearings.[ 1995 c 347 s 429; 1994 c 257 s 6; 1977 ex.s. c 213 s 4.]NOTES:Finding—Severability—Part headings and table of contents not law—1995 c 347: See notes following RCW 36.70A.470.Severability—1994 c 257: See note following RCW 36.70A.270.Severability—1977 ex.s. c 213: See note following RCW 35.63.130.
Washington Legal Code