Ordinance extends approval period for permits and land use actions

• Building permits
• Plats and short plats
• Conditional use, variance, reasonable use, and alteration exception
• Financial guarantee/performance compliance deadlines

An ordinance (PDF*, 340KB) extending the active time frames for permits and approvals was approved by the King County Council on Monday, May 11, 2009, and went into effect on May 24, 2009.

The ordinance allows additional time for applicants to obtain final approval of preliminary plats and short plats, and authorizes an additional extension for building permits and a one year extension for conditional use permits and reasonable use, variance, and alteration exception approvals.

The ordinance requires the applicant to request the extension in writing and the applicant must agree to additional fees that may result from the extension.

Building permits

Until December 31, 2011, the building official may grant a third extension for building permits where substantial work has not commenced, if:

1. The applicant makes a written request to the building official for an extension of the building permit.
2. The applicant pays applicable permit extension fees.
3. There are no substantial changes in the approved plans or specifications.

To apply for a third extension on a building permit, address your written request to:

Bernard Moore, Building Inspections Supervisor
King County DDES
900 Oakesdale Avenue SW
Renton, WA 98057

or e-mail your request to bernard.moore@kingcounty.gov.

Plats and short plats

Preliminary subdivision or short subdivision approval, which is normally valid for 60 months, is now valid for 84 months (7 years) if:

1. The preliminary approval was issued on or after December 1, 2003.
2. The applicant
   • makes a written request to the department to extend the period of validity
   • is current on all invoices for work performed by the department on the subdivision review
   • agrees in writing that the department may make revisions to the fee estimate.

This provision applies retroactively to any plat or short plat that has received preliminary approval on or after December 1, 2003, even if the initial 60 month time period has already elapsed.

To request an extension of the deadline for preliminary approval for a plat or short plat, address your written request to:

Ray Florent, DDES Engineering Services
King County DDES
900 Oakesdale Avenue SW
Renton, WA 98057

or e-mail: ray.florent@kingcounty.gov.

Note:  There is an even longer extension for subdivisions located in the Greenbridge Pilot Project area. These are valid for 9 years (108 months).

Conditional use, variance, reasonable use, and alteration exception

If the applicant makes a written request to the department before the expiration of a permit for a conditional use, variance, alteration exception or reasonable use exception, the department may extend the period of the permit for one year if:

1. Regulations governing the approval of the land use decision have not changed.
2. Site conditions have not significantly changed in a manner that would have affected the original permit approval.
3. The applicant pays applicable permit extension fees.

To request an extension of the deadline for a conditional use permit, variance, alteration exception, or reasonable use exception, address your written request to:

Steve Bottheim, Current Planning Supervisor
King County DDES
900 Oakesdale Avenue SW
Renton, WA 98057

or e-mail: steve.bottheim@kingcounty.gov.

Financial guarantee/performance compliance deadlines

Extensions for performance guarantee compliance timelines can be granted in the following circumstances:

1. Plats and short plats that received final recording after January 1, 2007.
2. Right of way permits issued after January 1, 2008.
3. Building permits that received temporary occupancy after July 1, 2008.

Performance guarantees shall require actual construction and installation of required improvements within:

1. Four years after recording for final subdivision or short subdivision.
2. Two years after right-of-way permit issuance.
3. One year after temporary building occupancy issued for a building permit.

The permit applicant can qualify for an extension if:

1. A written request to extend performance guarantee compliance timelines is filed with DDES.
2. There is compliance with the permit plans and conditions of approval and no hazards exist on the site.
3. The applicant is current on all invoices for work performed by the department.
4. The applicant agrees to complete all of the required work within the time specified or to toll the financial guarantee timeline for the term of this extension.

To request an extension on a financial guarantee (PDF*, 123KB), address your written request to:

Steve Townsend, Land Use Inspections Supervisor
King County DDES
900 Oakesdale Avenue SW
Renton, WA 98057

or e-mail: steve.townsend@kingcounty.gov.

For general information about the ordinance which codified these extensions, please contact Harry Reinert, DDES Special Projects Manager, at 206-296-7132, or e-mail harry.reinert@kingcounty.gov.

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To request this information in alternate formats for people with disabilities, call 206-296-6600 or TTY Relay: 711.