READ FIRST TIME 02/05/08.   

     AN ACT Relating to specialty agricultural structures; amending RCW 19.27.100; adding a new section to chapter 19.27 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature recognizes that the benefits of a productive and prosperous agricultural economy are numerous and are enjoyed throughout the state. Washington's agricultural products are a vital part of the state's economic and cultural fabric, and are consumed in countless local, regional, and international markets. The legislature recognizes also that it plays a meaningful role in promoting the health of the state's agricultural economy.
     (2) The legislature further recognizes that it has a duty to secure the well-being of its citizens through the establishment and enforcement of requirements for safe physical structures, and that these requirements are implemented through locally issued building permits.
     (3) The legislature intends this legislation to promote the health of the state's agricultural economy and to ensure the safety of its citizens. The legislature intends for these two objectives to be met by establishing a statewide permit cost for specialty agricultural structures.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 19.27 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The charge under this chapter for permits for specialty agricultural structures constructed on a commercial agricultural operation may not exceed one hundred fifty dollars. Specialty agricultural structures are those that are designed and constructed to house farm equipment, hay, grain, poultry, livestock, or other horticultural products. Human habitation, public use, and employment where agricultural products are processed, treated, or packaged are not permitted uses of a specialty agricultural structure.
     (2) No plan review is necessary for a preengineered specialty agricultural structure on a commercial agricultural operation if the design has been:
     (a) Approved by a state licensed and registered engineer; and
     (b) Certified to meet local conditions related to wind load, snow load, and other natural forces.
     (3) For the purposes of this section, "commercial agricultural operation" means an operation that generates an average of at least ten thousand dollars gross income per year from the sale of agricultural products.

Sec. 3   RCW 19.27.100 and 1975 1st ex.s. c 8 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     Except as provided in section 2 of this act, nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a city, town, or county of the state from imposing fees different from those set forth in the state building code.