House Bill 27 (HB0027) is sponsored by Representative Filer, with co-sponsors Representatives Fornstrom, Geringer, Provenza, and Singh and Senators Barlow, Love, and Pappas. The bill addresses what happens when land is annexed by a city or town while a building permit or land-use application is already pending with a county.
What the bill does
HB0027
requires that if a building permit or land-use application is pending at the
county level at the time of annexation, the county retains jurisdiction until
the application is either approved or denied. Once the county issues a final
decision, jurisdiction then transfers to the annexing city or town.
The bill also prohibits counties from denying applications “arbitrarily or
capriciously” for the purpose of forcing a project into city jurisdiction.
When it applies
HB0027 applies only to annexations occurring on or after July 1, 2026, and building permit or land-use applications filed on or after that date. It does not retroactively affect existing annexations or permits.
Why the bill was introduced
Supporters argue the measure provides continuity for applicants, predictability during annexation, and protection against mid-process regulatory changes. The stated intent is to prevent annexation from being used to reset or derail projects already under review.
Key implications
While framed
as a technical clarification, HB0027 carries broader consequences:
• Cities lose leverage to apply new zoning, design standards, or impact
requirements to projects filed before annexation.
• Counties assume legal and political risk, including potential lawsuits over
what constitutes an “arbitrary or capricious” denial.
• Early filers gain an advantage, particularly developers anticipating
annexation.
Why it matters
HB0027
shifts the balance of land-use authority during annexation. It prioritizes
permitting continuity over municipal planning flexibility and places counties
in the position of final decision-maker—without long-term control once a
project is approved.
For communities facing growth pressure, infrastructure strain, or annexation
disputes, the bill changes who decides—and when.