- How do I determine what the legally established uses are on my lot?
- How do I find information on filing for a Master Use Permit (MUP) application?
- How long will it take to review my MUP?
- What is the difference between a Short Plat and a Unit Lot Subdivision?
- I have a disagreement with the assigned land use planner on the review of my project. How do I get it resolved?
- How do I appeal my land use decision?
- How can I schedule an appointment with a land use planner?
1 - Q. How do I determine what the legally established uses are on my lot?
A. Legally established uses are uses that have been established by permit. You can research the permit record on your property and building through our Microfilm Library.
If a permit has not been obtained for an existing use, see our information on establishing a use for the record in CAM #217, How to Legalize a Use Not Established by Permit.
2 - Q. How do I find information on filing for a Master Use Permit (MUP) application?
A. The scope of the project and the different types of land use review needed affect what information is necessary for a MUP application. For example, projects that that must complete an environmental review (SEPA), an administrative conditional use (ACU), and other types of land use reviews will require information specific to that review in their applications. SEPA, ACU, and other land use reviews are covered in the 200 series Client Assistance Memos.
You can find many of the CAMs and forms you'll need for different types of projects on our Land Use Packets website.
3 - Q. How long will it take to review my MUP?
A: DPD's goal is to publish land use decisions within 120 days from the date a complete application is filed. Please be aware however, that the 120-day goal is based on the number of days the project is in DPD pending process and review, and does not include the time that a project has been returned to the applicant for corrections or additional information.
4 - Q. What is the difference between a Short Plat and a Unit Lot Subdivision?
A. CAM 213A, Application Requirements for Short Subdivisions, describes Unit Lot Subdivisions and Short Plats. While the process is similar to a Short Plat, in a Unit Lot Subdivision, the "Parent Lot" meets the standards, and each "Unit Lot" only has to include the particular dwelling unit and meet open space standards.
The code section covering Unit Lot Subdivisions is SMC 23.24. Unit Lot Subdivision makes townhouse or single-family units available for sale, subject to a set of easements and agreements dealing with access and common walls, maintenance and ownership. Unit Lots must follow common wall lines, and so cannot be applied to apartments where one unit is over another.
5 - Q. I have a disagreement with the assigned land use planner on the review of my project. How do I get it resolved?
A. To resolve a disagreement with a project reviewer on a Master Use Permit application, see our resolution process.
6 - Q. How do I appeal my land use decision?
A. Appeals of DPD decisions on Master Use Permit applications are filed with the Office of the Hearing Examiner. Learn more about how to file an appeal.
7 - Q. How can I schedule an an appointment with a land use planner?
A. To schedule an appointment with a land use planner, please contact (206) 684-8850. These coaching sessions are to discuss general preliminary questions around the feasability of a project and do not require a paid Pre-Application Site Visit (PASV) prior to the conference. Pre-Submittal Conferences will continue to be available to discuss specific project-related issues, which will continue to require a paid Pre-Application Site Visit (PASV) prior to the conference. If you have applied for a Master Use Permit and would like to meet with the land use planner that is assigned to review your application, you will need to call the assigned planner and make an appointment.
May 22, 2012
