21.10.080 Time frames for review.
A. RCW 36.70B.070 and 36.70B.080 require that permit processing time frames be established. Decisions on Type I, II, III and VII applications shall be made within 120 days from the date of a determination that the application is complete unless a shorter time is required by city ordinance or state statute. A decision on a Type V-A application shall be made within 180 days. No time frames are established for Type V-B or VI applications. Exceptions to these time frames are:
1. Substantial project revisions made by an applicant, in which case the time frame will be calculated from the time the city determines the revised application to be complete.
2. A mutual agreement by the applicant and director to an extension of time.
3. Applications that require an amendment to the comprehensive plan or a development regulation.
4. Applications for a project requiring an approval for siting of an essential public facility as provided in RCW 36.70A.200.
5. Applications for which the city makes written findings that a specified amount of additional time is needed for processing of specific complete project permit applications or project types (RCW 36.70B.080(1)).
6. Type V-A applications that are remanded to the planning commission from the city council.
B. The time limit does not include:
1. Any period of time during which the applicant has been requested by the city to correct plans, perform required studies, or provide additional required information. The period shall be calculated from the date the city notifies the applicant of the need for additional information until the earlier of the date the city determines whether the additional information satisfies the request for information or 14 days after the date the information has been provided to the city. If the city determines that the information submitted by the applicant is insufficient, it shall notify the applicant of the deficiencies and the procedures under BMC 21.10.190(B) shall apply as if a new request for studies had been made.
2. The time required to prepare and issue a draft and final environmental impact statement (EIS) in accordance with the State Environmental Policy Act.
3. Any period for administrative appeals of project permits, if an open record appeal hearing or a closed record appeal, or both, are allowed. The time period for consideration and decision on appeals shall not exceed:
a. Ninety days for an open record appeal hearing; and
b. Sixty days for a closed record appeal.
C. Preliminary Plats. Pursuant to RCW 58.17.140, preliminary plats of any proposed subdivision and dedication shall be approved, disapproved, or returned to the applicant for modification or correction within 90 days from the date of filing thereof unless the applicant consents to an extension of such time period or the 90-day limitation is extended to include up to 21 days as specified under RCW 58.17.095(3). The 90-day period shall not include the time spent preparing and circulating an environmental impact statement by the local governmental agency.
D. Final Plats (Type I) and Short Plats. Pursuant to RCW 58.17.140, final subdivision approvals and short plats shall be approved, disapproved, or returned to the applicant within 30 days from the date of filing a complete application, unless the applicant consents to an extension of such time period. [Ord. 2018-12-036 § 44; Ord. 2004-12-088; Ord. 2004-09-065].