By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

According to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, May was the first time King County had more than a month's supply of homes for sale since September 2017. It was only the third time since October 2016. However, this is still far below the four-to-six month level that many industry analysts consider as an indicator of a healthy market.

The Builders' Bulletin is intended to provide a convenient way to track housing in our market and includes information from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, State of the Cities Data Systems, Office of Financial Management and the Washington State Employment Security Department.

Download this month's report:

USEPA photo by Eric Vance

LDC Inc. went to Washington, D.C. October 24 to advocate for sensible stormwater management regulations that lead to clean water for communities instead of mountains of paperwork.

Representing builders and developers who do business in Environmental Protection Agency Region 10, Clay White, principal planner, joined nine other NAHB members from across the country to meet EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and his top local enforcement officials.

NAHB members suggested several ways EPA could improve the process, including:

• A simplified permit process for small lots. EPA's compliance template for single-family homes in large subdivisions that could also serve as a streamlined permit: it's concise and written in "builder language" because NAHB helped develop it.
• A "find it, fix it" approach. Rather than penalize first-time violators, EPA inspectors should provide compliance assistance during site visits and allow builders to correct minor infractions so they can do it right the next time.
• Better coordination among regulators. Multiple visits from local, state and federal inspectors to the same site can result in very different observations and citations. The EPA needs to allow the states, and not themselves, to play the lead role in stormwater enforcement.
• Continued participation in EPA's "Smart Sectors" Program. Homebuilders were invited to participate this business community partnership to develop sensible regulations while protecting the environment and public health.

White was pleased at EPA's response. "It was tremendous to meet with Administrator Pruitt and the EPA team on issues that are impacting our building community. I believe that this meeting will result in positive outcomes for the builders in our region."

For stormwater management resources, visit the NAHB Stormwater Toolkit.

Kimberley Martin is the owner of Cyneburg Scapes. The company creates woodscapes to attain the homeowner’s vision and allow them to enjoy the outdoors at home. Kimberley is actively involved on our PWB Executive Council.

I, Luellen Smith, own Rhino Wine Cellars & Cooling Systems with my husband. Our company designs and installs custom wine cellars and cooling systems for clients around the world. We strive to be the market leader in custom wine cellar design and enjoy turning our clients' wine cellar dreams into a reality. I am honored to be the PWB Council chair this year.

Please join with us in celebrating all PWB tradeswomen this week! We encourage you to share your story with us.

Learn more about PWB at mbaks.com/pwb. Share your story and get involved at facebook.com/groups/MBAKSPWB.