Same here in WA. Permit for clearing little bit of my land which was I forced to get, after neighbor turned me in, took more than 3 years, costed about 20k USD and at the end 3k was bribe in form of consultation company I got to hired to make it happen. I paid the company and after 3 years it was suddenly finalized and permit issued. What I heard is it's being run by ex workers of the permitting office.
There is so many red tape and random requirements they are throwing on you in the whole process..
But apartment house developers got what they need kinda instantly..