Development Handouts

Development Handouts summarize the Development Code on a variety of topics.  If you are not sure that you need a permit - the Development Handouts are a good place to start.

Permits

• Accessory Dwelling Unit: Permit to allow an additional complete dwelling unit accessory to the primary residence on the same premises, subject to supplemental use criteria. (SMC 20.40.210, SMC 20.40.120)  Submittal Packet
• Adult Family Home: A permit is required for adult family homes that are licensed by the State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services. The City inspects to ensure that the residence meets life safety or building code requirements.  Submittal Packet
• Bed & Breakfast or Boarding House: A permit for an accessory use to the permanent residence as defined in the Development Code. Bed and breakfasts, rooming and boarding houses, and similar facilities that provide temporary overnight accommodations for compensation require a home occupation permit. (SMC 20.40.250, SMC 20.40.260)  Submittal Packet
• Binding Site Plan: A process used for land division for commercial, industrial, and condominium-type developments. (SMC 20.30.480)  Submittal Packet
• Building Relocation: A permit to allow the relocation of existing buildings after an inspection to determine structural integrity.  Submittal Packet
• Clearing and Grading Permit: A permit required for tree cutting, land clearing, grading activities, or construction of storm drainage facilities, when such activities are not part of another permit and are over specified thresholds. (SMC 20.50.290 - 20.50.370)  Submittal Packet
• Commercial/Multi-Family Building Permit:
  Commercial- A permit to allow the construction and occupancy of a non-residential building. Multi-Family Residential- A permit to allow the construction and occupancy of two or more dwelling units.  Submittal Packet
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment: Modification of the text of maps of the Comprehensive Plan usually done through an annual review. (SMC 20.30.34)
  General Comprehensive Plan Amendment Submittal Packet or
  Site Specific Comprehensive Plan Amendment Submittal Packet
• Conditional Use Permit: A permit allowing a permitted use to locate on a particular property, subject to conditions that ensures compatibility with nearby land uses. (SMC 20.30.300)  Submittal Packet
• Critical Areas Reasonable Use Approval: A mechanism to allow development and use of private property when the strict application of the critical areas standards would deny all reasonable use of a property, subject to specific criteria.
  (SMC 20.30.336)  Submittal Packet
• Critical Areas Special Use Permit: A mechanism to allow development by a public agency or utility when the strict application of the critical areas standards would unreasonably prohibit the provision of public services, subject to specific criteria. (SMC 20.30.333)  Submittal Packet
• Demolition: A permit to allow the demolition of any structure that would require a building permit.  Submittal Packet
• Development Code Amendment: An amendment to the Development Code is a mechanism by which the City may bring its land use and development regulations into conformity with the Comprehensive Plan or respond to changing conditions or needs of the City. (SMC 20.30.350)  Submittal Packet
• Electrical Permit:  A permit to allow installation alteration and renovations to electrical systems.  Submittal Packet
• Fire Alarm: A permit to allow the installation of a fire alarm system.  Submittal Packet
• Fire Sprinkler: A permit to allow the installation of a fire sprinkler system.  Submittal Packet
• Home Occupation: A permit for any commercial activity conducted by a resident as an accessory use in the resident's dwelling unit. (SMC 20.40.400, SMC 20.40.120)  Submittal Packet
• Interpretation of Development Code: A request for an official interpretation of the Development Code to be submitted for review. (SMC 20.10.050, SMC 20.10.060, SMC 20.30.020)  Submittal Packet
• Kitchen Hood Fire Suppression System: A permit to allow the installation of a kitchen hood fire suppression system.  Submittal Packet
• Lot Line Adjustment including Lot Merger:  A minor reorientation of a lot line between existing lots which results in no more lots than existed before the lot line adjustment. (SMC 20.30.400)  Submittal Packet
• Master Plan: A comprehensive, long-range plan for the use of property to guide growth and development of a regional facility to serve their users and benefit the community.  Submittal Packet
• Mechanical: A permit to allow the installation of mechanical systems, such as heating and air conditioning.  Submittal Packet
• North City Business District: A streamlined permitting process called a planned action environmental impact statement can be used for future projects within the North City Business District Zone that are consistent with the North City Subarea Plan.  Submittal Packet
• Plumbing Permit: A permit that allows for the installation of plumbing systems and individual fixtures, such as toilets, sinks and backflow/cross-connection devices.  Submittal Packet
• Property Tax Exemption (PTE) Application:  Submittal Packet For more information about the PTE Program, including Frequently Asked Questions, please see Economic Development Incentive Programs
• Residential Building Permit: 
   Single-Family - A permit to allow the construction, addition or remodel of a single-family home.  Submittal Packet 
   Multi-Family - A permit to allow the construction and occupancy of two or more dwelling units.  Submittal Packet
• Rezone of Property and Zoning Map Change: A mechanism to change a zoning classification, or to establish specific development conditions through a concomitant agreement applicable to the property.(SMC 20.30.320)  Submittal Packet
• Right-of-Way Site: A right-of-way site permit is required for the construction or placement of privately owned structures or other private use of the right-of-way.  Submittal Packet
• Right-of-Way Special Event: A permit to allow the use of the public right-of-way for special events such as, a large street party hosted once a year for a recognized neighborhood association; or a street parade hosted by the school district.  Submittal Packet
• Right-of-Way: A class of permit issued by the City prior to any construction, use, or activity performed at a specific location in the City's public right-of-way.  Submittal Packet
• Rockery/Retaining Wall: A permit to allow the construction of a retaining wall over four feet in height as measured from the bottom of the footprint to the top of the wall, unless supporting adjacent structures or roadways.  Submittal Packet
• SEPA Threshold Determination: The decision by the City or other lead agency whether an environmental impact statement is required for a proposal. (SMC 20.30.490 - 20.30.710)  SEPA Checklist
• Shoreline Exemption Permit: A mechanism allowing exception to the Shoreline Management Program regulations if the Director determines a development meets exemption requirements. Shorelines Actions as defined in SMC 16.10, which adopted King County Shoreline Management Program (KCC 15.12) by reference.  Submittal Packet
• Shorelines Actions:
  Substantial Development Permit: A permit allowing substantial development (as defined in RCW 90.58.030(3)(e)) to be undertaken within a designated shoreline environment.  Submittal Packet 
  Shorelines Variance: An adjustment in the application of the regulations of the adopted Shoreline Management Master Program.  Submittal Packet
  Shorelines Conditional Use Permit: A permit allowing a use specifically designated as a shoreline conditional use in the Shoreline Management Master Program.  Submittal Packet
  Shorelines Actions are defined in SMC 16.10, which adopted King County Shoreline Management Program (KCC 15.12) by reference.
• Short Subdivision - Preliminary: The division of land into four or fewer lots.(SMC 20.30.410)  Submittal Packet
• Short Subdivision - Final: A surveyed site plan of an approved short subdivision recorded with King County. (SMC 20.30.450)  Submittal Packet
• Sign Permit: A permit for any structure visible to the public using graphics, symbols, or written copy for the purpose of advertising or identifying an establishment, organization, or residential development. (SMC 20.50.530 - 20.50.610)  Submittal Packet
• Site Development Permit: Engineering plans for improvements required as a condition of preliminary approval of a subdivision. (SMC 20.30.430)  Submittal Packet
• Special Use Permit: A permit allowing a regional land use, not specifically allowed by the zoning, to locate on a particular property, subject to conditions that ensures compatibility with adjacent land and benefit to the community. (SMC 20.30.330)  Submittal Packet
• Street Vacation: A mechanism by which the City may, by legislative action, vacate a public street or alley. This application requires you to have a preapplication meeting with the City and a neighborhood meeting prior to the submittal of an application. Please contact (206) 546-1811 to be assigned a project manager to assist you through this process.(SMC 20.40.530)  Submittal Packet
• Subdivision - Preliminary: The division of land into five or more lots.  (SMC 20.30.410)  Submittal Packet
• Subdivision - Final: Final approval of the division of land.  (SMC 20.30.450  Submittal Packet
• Temporary Use Permit: A mechanism by which the City may permit a use to locate within the City on an interim basis, without requiring full compliance with the Development Code standards, or permit a seasonal or transient use not otherwise permitted. (SMC 20.40.100, SMC 20.40.540)  Submittal Packet
• Tenant Improvement: Permit required for the completion, remodel, or alteration and occupancy of a non-residential space within an existing building.  Submittal Packet
• Variances from Engineering Standards: A mechanism allowing the City to grant an adjustment of engineering standards when due to unique circumstances strict implementation of the standards would result in an unnecessary hardship. (SMC 20.30.290)  Submittal Packet
• Wireless Telecommunications Facility (WTF): An unstaffed facility for the transmission and reception of radio or microwave signals used for commercial communications, such as cellular phone, personal communication, or other mobile radio services. (SMC 20.40.600)  Submittal Packet
• Zoning Variance: A mechanism by which the City may grant relief from Development Code regulations and standards where practical difficulty renders compliance with the Code an unnecessary hardship. (SMC 20.30.310)  Submittal Packet

Note: "SMC" refers to the Shoreline Municipal Code which can be accessed online by clicking here.