Chapter 16.07
PLANNED UNIT LOT SUBDIVISION
Sections:
16.07.015 Applicability and scope.
16.07.020 Administrator’s duties.
16.07.025 Application requirements.
16.07.035 Minimum improvements.
16.07.040 Final planned unit lot subdivision.
16.07.045 Filing – Planned unit lot subdivision.
16.07.050 Effective period of preliminary planned unit lot subdivision approval.
16.07.055 Modifications to an approved preliminary planned unit lot subdivision.
16.07.060 Planned unit lot subdivision amendment.
16.07.065 Vacating a planned unit lot subdivision.
16.07.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to clearly delineate the criteria used to review and approve planned unit lot subdivisions. A planned unit lot subdivision is intended to provide an alternative means of dividing land, pursuant to Chapter 58.17 RCW. This process provides a means for certain types of land divisions to be processed based upon city adopted development standards and regulations. Planned unit lot subdivisions tie a development to an approved set of conditions and site layout. (Ord. 908 § 8, 2025)
16.07.015 Applicability and scope.
This chapter shall be limited and shall apply to the following:
(1) Planned unit lot subdivisions shall be processed as a subdivision or short subdivision according to the associated permit types in Chapter 14.04 EMC.
(2) Provisions of this chapter apply exclusively to the subdivision or short subdivision of land for division of a project parcel into separately owned planned unit lots, and may be applied only in the applicable district as identified within EMC 18.40.020, District use chart.
(3) Subject to exceptions identified in subsections (9) through (12) of this section, the unit lot subdivision as a whole shall meet development standards applicable to the underlying residential site development approval associated with a commercial or residential building permit as applicable, and the provisions of this section. As a result of the unit lot subdivision, development on individual unit lots may be nonconforming as to some or all of the development standards under Chapter 16.20 EMC based on analysis of the individual unit lot. So long as the project parcel(s) meets the criteria of the underlying residential site development plan or the dwelling units are already in existence, each unit lot will be deemed to be in conformance. If the units are already legally in existence and do not comply with the development standards, a unit lot may be created for each existing dwelling unit. Subsequent platting actions, additions, or modifications to the structure(s) may not create or increase any nonconformity of the project lot.
(4) For lots less than the minimum zoning district lot size, unit lots shall not be used as short-term rentals or accessory dwelling planned units and only one dwelling unit shall be located on a planned unit lot.
(5) Individual unit lots shall have separate water, sewer and electrical services.
(6) Common area does not count towards the lot density. Example: nine lots and one common area for short subdivision processing.
(7) Cottage housing architectural style and uniformity are highly recommended.
(8) The minimum lot size for individual planned unit lots within a subdivision shall not be less than 2,500 square feet in size.
(9) Density. Total planned unit lot density shall not exceed 60 percent of the square footage of the project parcel. If a calculation results in a partial dwelling unit, the partial dwelling unit shall be rounded to the nearest whole number. Less than 0.5 shall be rounded down. Greater than or equal to 0.5 shall be rounded up.
Density Calculation Example:
• Project parcel: 33,750 sq. ft.
• Each unit lot minimum 2,500 sq. ft., as determined in subsection (8) of this section
• 60% of the project parcel of 33,750 sq. ft. = 20,250 sq. ft., as determined by subsection (9) of this section
• 20,250 sq. ft./2,500 sq. ft. = 8-unit lots allowed
Calculation Rounded Examples:
• 30,000 sq. ft. x 1 du/6,750 sq. ft. = 4.44 (rounded to four allowable dwelling units)
• 45,000 sq. ft. x 1 du/6,750 sq. ft. = 6.66 (rounded to seven allowable dwelling units)
• 16,875 sq. ft. x 1 du / 6,750 sq. ft. = 2.5 (rounded to three allowable dwelling units)
(10) Project parcel common area: 40 percent minimum common area required of the project parcel.
(a) Minimum 20 percent of the common area shall be reserved for landscaping pursuant to Chapter 18.48 EMC or active recreation or preservation of critical areas, or remain in active orchard or combination of thereof; and
(b) Remaining percentage from subsection (10)(a) of this section shall be reserved for infrastructure such as on-site parking, stormwater ponds, roads or utilities or other similar infrastructure.
(11) Project parcel as a whole shall meet all applicable development standards, except for the following:
(a) Lot coverage;
(b) Minimum lot depth;
(c) Minimum lot width;
(d) Minimum lot width at the building line;
(e) Impervious surface coverage; and
(f) Density.
(12) Unit lots may deviate from only the following site development standards:
(a) Density;
(b) Setbacks;
(c) Lot coverage;
(d) Impervious surface coverage; and
(e) Street and building lot frontage. (Ord. 908 § 8, 2025)
16.07.020 Administrator’s duties.
The administrator of this code is vested with the authority to approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove of planned unit lot subdivisions. (Ord. 908 § 8, 2025)
16.07.025 Application requirements.
Applications shall be made on forms provided by the city and shall be signed by the property owner. To be considered a complete application, in addition to the applicable fee and the information required by EMC Title 14, the following information shall be submitted:
(1) All of the information identified in EMC 14.08.030, Application process;
(2) A sketch of the proposed planned unit lot subdivision that includes:
(a) A legal description of the area being divided;
(b) The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all persons holding interest in the land;
(c) The boundaries of the section (or portion thereof) within which the unit lot subdivision lies;
(d) The planned unit lot subdivision and the lots within it;
(e) The locations of existing roads, easements, important natural features, and improvements within the planned unit lot subdivision;
(f) A layout of proposed roads and easements;
(g) The boundaries of all parcels dedicated or reserved for public or community uses, if any; and
(h) Location of proposed water distribution systems, sewage disposal systems, and surface drainage systems;
(3) As determined necessary by the city, the following additional items may be required, particularly for those types of planned unit lot subdivision as identified in EMC 16.10.015(2):
(a) Off-street parking plans;
(b) Common area maintenance plans;
(c) A detailed landscape plan of the common area indicating the location of existing vegetation to be retained, location of vegetation landscaping structures to be installed, the type of vegetation by common name, and the installed and mature height of all vegetation;
(d) A written explanation of the design concept, planned features of the development, measures taken to meet the purposes of the development, the proposed sequence and timing of development, the provisions of ownership and management when developed, and covenants or other controls which might influence the development, operation or maintenance of the development shall be submitted with the application;
(e) The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all persons holding ownership interests in the land along with a title report confirming that the title of the land as described and shown on the unit lot subdivision is vested in the name of said persons;
(f) As determined by the city of Entiat, if applicable to the development, an outline of the documents of the owners’ association, by-laws, deeds, covenants and agreements governing ownership, maintenance and operation of the development shall be submitted with the application;
(g) Schematic plans and elevations of proposed building(s) with samples of all exterior finish materials and colors, the type and location of all exterior lighting, signs and accessory structures;
(h) A description of commonly held properties and their purpose, function and improvements; and
(4) Upon review of an application, the city may require additional pertinent information as needed to satisfy any regulatory requirements. (Ord. 908 § 8, 2025)
16.07.030 Approval.
The administrator or hearing examiner shall approve outright, or with conditions, planned unit lot subdivision when all of the following conditions exist and written findings are issued to support:
(1) When all zoning code standards and the requirements imposed by other city codes and ordinances have been met.
(2) The public interest will be served by the planned unit lot subdivision and dedication.
(3) That appropriate provisions are made for, but not limited to, the public health, safety, and general welfare, for open spaces, drainage ways, streets, alleys, site access, other public ways, transit stops, potable water supplies, sanitary wastes, parks and recreation, playgrounds, schools and school grounds, and all other relevant facts, including sidewalks and other planning features that ensure safe walking conditions for students who only walk to and from school.
Every decision or recommendation on planned unit lot subdivision processed in accordance with this code shall be made in writing and shall include findings of fact and conclusions to support the decision or recommendation. (Ord. 908 § 8, 2025)
16.07.035 Minimum improvements.
(1) The criteria described in EMC 16.07.030 are the minimum measures by which all proposed planned unit lot subdivisions will be considered. Proposed applications shall be given preliminary approval, including preliminary approval subject to conditions, upon written finding by the administrator pursuant to EMC Title 14 that all of the items in EMC 16.07.030 have been satisfied.
(2) Improvements in planned unit lot subdivisions shall be installed as determined by the city engineer and/or public works director. (Ord. 908 § 8, 2025)
16.07.040 Final planned unit lot subdivision.
Meeting the requirements of RCW Title 58 and Chapter 332-130 WAC in addition to RCW 64.34.232 when applicable, at a minimum each planned unit lot subdivision shall be surveyed and monumented by a registered land surveyor and recorded with the Chelan County auditor, which shall consist of one or more pages clearly and legibly drawn on stable base mylar, polyester film or equivalent approved material, and shall contain a map of the planned unit lot subdivision, the horizontal scale shall be 100 feet to the inch, or as allowed by the administrator, together with written data in such form that, when read together, disclose the following information:
(1) Legal description of the land.
(2) The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all persons holding ownership interests in the land along with a title report confirming that the title of the land as described and shown on the planned unit lot subdivision is vested in the name of said persons.
(3) The name, address, telephone number, seal, and professional license number of the land surveyor registered in the state of Washington who made the survey of the planned unit lot subdivision.
(4) Date of the survey.
(5) The boundary lines of the planned unit lot subdivision.
(6) The boundary lines of the individual lots, parcels or tracts. Common area shall be labeled as “Tract.”
(7) The location of existing roads, easements, important natural features, and improvements within the planned unit lot subdivision.
(8) The layout of proposed roads, easements, and development site access.
(9) The boundaries of all parcels dedicated or reserved for public or community uses.
(10) A certificate or instrument of dedication bearing the typed or printed names of all persons having an ownership interest in the divided land, signed and acknowledged by them before a notary public, which (a) states their consent to a division of land, (b) recites a dedication by them of all land shown on the final mylar to be dedicated to a public use, and (c) if a planned unit lot subdivision is subject to dedication, a certificate or separate instrument shall contain the dedication of all streets and other areas to the public and individual or individuals, and a waiver of all claims for damages against any government authority which may be occasioned to the adjacent land by the established construction, drainage, and maintenance of said road. Said certificate or instrument of dedication shall be signed and acknowledged before any notary public by all parties having an interest in the land shown and recorded as part of the planned unit lot subdivision.
(11) The following signature block must be printed on the final mylar:
TREASURER’S CERTIFICATE
I hereby certify that all taxes and assessments which have been levied and become chargeable against the above-described property for the year ______ and preceding years have been duly paid, satisfied and discharged in the amount of _________, and have been deposited with the Chelan County Treasurer this _____ day of _______ (year).
(12) Space for approval by the administrator and/or examiner.
(13) The certificate of the registered land surveyor who made, or under whose supervision was made, the survey of the subdivision, in substantially the following language:
I, _______________________, registered as a land surveyor by the State of Washington, certify that this plat is based on an actual survey of the land described herein, conducted by me or under my supervision, during the period of ______________, 20____, through ______________, 20____; that the distances, courses, and angles are shown thereon correctly; and that the monuments other than those monuments approved for setting at a later date, have been set and lot corners staked on the ground as depicted on the plat.
(14) The following notes shall be placed on the final plat:
• The title of the Planned Unit lot site subdivision shall be “Planned Unit Lot Subdivision No.______.”
• Approval of the development on each Planned Unit lot was granted by the review of the development, as a whole, on the project parcel.
• Subsequent platting actions and additions or modifications to structure(s) shall not create a nonconformity of the project parcel.
• Unit lots are not separate buildable lots independent of the overall development, and additional development of individual unit lots may be limited as a result of the application of development standards to the project parcel.
(Ord. 908 § 8, 2025)
16.07.045 Filing – Planned unit lot subdivision.
(1) Each planned unit lot subdivision granted pursuant to this chapter shall be submitted to the city for final review and approval at which time it may be filed with the Chelan County auditor. It shall not be deemed “final” until so filed. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to record the planned unit lot subdivision with the county auditor and pay applicable recording fees.
(2) Planned unit lot subdivisions where an additional dedication to the public is voluntary shall not be filed until the city has accepted marketable title for the newly dedicated area. (Ord. 908 § 8, 2025)
16.07.050 Effective period of preliminary planned unit lot subdivision approval.
(1) A preliminary planned unit lot subdivision expires unless final approval is obtained from the administrator within five years from the date of preliminary approval.
(2) An applicant who files a written request with the city within 30 days before the expiration date of a preliminary planned unit lot subdivision shall be granted a one-year extension upon a showing of a good faith effort to file the final planned unit lot subdivision. (Ord. 908 § 8, 2025)
16.07.055 Modifications to an approved preliminary planned unit lot subdivision.
(1) Minor modifications to a previously approved planned unit lot subdivision, not involving the creation of an additional lot, tract or parcel lot line and not involving the location or relocation of a street, may be requested by the applicant and approved by the city subject to the provisions for a Type I application in EMC Title 14. Before approving such modification, the administrator shall make written findings and conclusions that the following exist:
(a) The modification will not be inconsistent or cause the planned unit lot subdivision to be inconsistent with the findings, conclusions, and decision of the city to preliminarily approve the planned unit lot subdivision;
(b) The modification will not cause the planned unit lot subdivision to violate any applicable city policy or regulation;
(c) The modification does not adversely impact public health and safety, the environment, or the delivery of services to the site;
(d) The original intent of the approved preliminary planned unit lot subdivision is not altered.
(2) Modifications to a previously approved preliminary planned unit lot subdivision which exceeds the criteria above shall be processed as a new application. (Ord. 908 § 8, 2025)
16.07.060 Planned unit lot subdivision amendment.
(1) Once a planned unit lot subdivision has been recorded with the Chelan County auditor, it can be amended. The amended planned unit lot subdivision must comply with all of the procedures and requirements of this section; however, a new survey may not be required unless there are changes made to the recorded planned unit lot subdivision, such as new lot lines, roads, or building footprints.
(2) The title of the amended planned unit lot site subdivision shall be “Amended Planned Unit Lot Subdivision No.______.”
(3) Minor errors not involving a change in lines may be corrected by the survey as approved by the administrator. (Ord. 908 § 8, 2025)
16.07.065 Vacating a planned unit lot subdivision.
Planned unit lot subdivision may be vacated subject to the following provisions:
(1) Prior to issuance of any building or other site development permits, including but not limited to clearing and grading permits, a planned unit lot subdivision may be vacated as a whole only, under one ownership. Vacating a planned unit lot subdivision releases all conditions and obligations on the parcel associated with such subdivision. A planned unit lot subdivision may be vacated with the submission of a letter of intent to vacate the planned unit lot subdivision to the city. The letter shall become binding upon its acceptance by the administrator. If the planned unit lot subdivision has been recorded with the Chelan County auditor, notice of the vacation shall be recorded on forms acceptable to the Chelan County auditor.
(2) After issuance of any building or other site development permits, including but not limited to clearing and grading permits, the process for vacation of all or part of a planned unit lot subdivision shall be heard by a hearing examiner appointed by the city and shall follow the procedures as indicated in Chapter 2.55 EMC. (Ord. 908 § 8, 2025)