CUP*, CAAE and RUE 3-step pre-application process

Conditional Use Permit (CUP*), Critical Area Alteration Exception (CAAE) and Reasonable Use Exception (RUE) pre-applications are processed in three steps as below.

The purpose of the 3-step process is to provide greater information to potential applicants on the entire process involved for these permit types and their associated costs.  DDES initiated the 3-step process for short plat** pre-applications in 2007 and expanded it to CUPs*, CAAEs and RUEs in November 2008.

Step 1 - Informational meeting

If, after meeting with a Land Use Coordinator at the DDES Permit Service Center to get basic information about property in unincorporated King County, an individual is considering filing a CUP*, CAAE or RUE application, Step 1 in the process is to attend an informational meeting. The meeting will include a PowerPoint presentation that gives a basic overview of the 3-step process. There will be no charge for Step 1. Completion of Step 1 is required prior to proceeding to Step 2 described below.

Step 2 - Pre-application/Feasibility meeting

At this meeting, the CUP*, CAAE or RUE process will be discussed in more detail, as well as site-specific issues. Prior to the meeting, applicants will be required to submit a list of issues/questions, a description of the proposal, and a proposed site plan. The applicant's representative must attend the meeting with the applicant. County staff will provide detailed written comments on the proposal, identifying issues of concern. Review fees will be charged for this meeting.

Step 3 - Application review meeting

The purpose of this meeting is to review the actual application documents, prior to their submittal. To schedule this meeting, all application documents must be submitted with the meeting request. County staff will visit the site prior to the meeting, and a fee quote for DDES application fees will be given to the applicant at the meeting. Review fees will be charged for this meeting.

For more information

Check out the following to learn more:

• Conditional use permit and conditional use permits application packet
• Critical area alteration exception and critical area alteration exception packet
• Reasonable use exception and reasonable use exceptions application packet
• General information about pre-application meetings for a land use permit.

For more about the 3-step process for CUP*, CAAE and RUE pre-applications, you may also contact Kim Claussen at 206-296-7167 or e-mail kimberly.claussen@kingcounty.gov.

 *Does not apply to communication facility applications

**A short subdivision, often called a "short plat," is a division of property into four or fewer lots outside the Urban Growth Area and nine or fewer lots in the Urban Growth Area.