Chapter 16A.03
General Permit Processing Provisions
Sections:
16A.03.030 Administration and Review Authority
16A.03.040 Permit Assistance Staff
16A.03.010 Purpose
These procedures describe how the City of SeaTac will process applications for project and other construction and land use permits. This title applies to all Type 0, I, II and III permits for development, as outlined on Appendix I. These procedures are intended to implement, and shall be applied in a manner consistent with, Chapter 36.70B RCW. It is the intent of these procedures to provide for the effective processing and review of permits and to inform the public about how and when to provide timely comment during their consideration. (Ord. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C); Ord. 18-1004 § 1; Ord. 03-1020 § 2)
16A.03.020 Definitions
Definitions in this section apply to this title.
A. “Applicant” means the property owner and/or the person or entity who submits a permit application.
B. “Construction permit” means those permits and approvals that authorize construction work.
C. “Days” means calendar days, unless otherwise specified.
D. “Development standards” means standards, rules and regulations set forth in the following titles of the SeaTac Municipal Code:
1. Chapter 11.05 SMC, Road Standards.
2. Chapter 11.10 SMC, Right-of-Way Use Code.
3. SMC Title 12, Public Utilities.
4. SMC Title 13, Buildings and Construction.
5. SMC Title 14, Subdivisions.
6. SMC Title 15, Zoning Code.
7. SMC Title 17, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).
8. SMC Title 18, Environmental Code.
E. “Director” means the Community and Economic Development Director or his/her designee.
F. “Open record hearing” means a hearing, conducted by a single hearing body or officer authorized by the local government to conduct such hearings, that creates the local government’s record through testimony and submission of evidence and information under procedures prescribed by the local government by ordinance or resolution. An open record hearing may be held prior to a local government’s decision on a project permit to be known as an “open record predecision hearing.” An open record hearing may be held on an appeal, to be known as an “open record appeal hearing,” if no open record predecision hearing has been held on the project permit.
G. “Preapplication meetings” means meetings between City staff, affected agencies, and an applicant or their representatives prior to formal submission of a detailed application. They are intended to acquaint the applicant with an overview of the regulatory requirements, application process and procedural submission requirements.
H. “Procedural submission requirements” means requirements for the submittal of a permit application, as specified by this and other applicable ordinances regulating the application.
I. “Project permit or project permit application” means any land use or environmental permit required for a project action, such as subdivisions, binding site plans, planned unit developments, conditional uses, shoreline substantial development permits, site plan review, permits or approvals required by the City’s critical area ordinances, site-specific rezones authorized by a comprehensive plan or subarea plan, or other Type I through III permits listed in Appendix I. Project permits do not authorize construction.
J. “Public meeting” means an informal meeting, hearing, workshop, or other public gathering of people to obtain comments from the public or other agencies on a proposed permit prior to the local government’s decision. A public meeting may include, but is not limited to, a design review or architectural control board meeting, a special review district or community council meeting, or a scoping meeting on a draft environmental impact statement. A public meeting does not include an open record hearing. The proceedings at a public meeting may be recorded and a report or recommendation may be included in the local government’s permit application file. (Ord. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C); Ord. 18-1004 § 1; Ord. 03-1020 § 2)
16A.03.030 Administration and Review Authority
The Director is responsible for the administration, application and interpretation of City development standards and these procedures rests with the applicable City department as outlined in the SeaTac Municipal Code and Appendix I and II, and as follows:
A. The Hearing Examiner shall review and act on Type III permits, and appeals of Type 0, I and Type II permits.
B. Requests for code interpretations shall be made in writing to the Director. Interpretations of regulations will be issued by the City within eighty-five (85) days of a written request for such an interpretation. Code interpretations may be appealed to the Hearing Examiner pursuant to Chapter 16A.17 SMC. (Ord. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C); Ord. 19-1015 § 7; Ord. 18-1004 § 1; Ord. 16-1007 § 30; Ord. 11-1002 § 3; Ord. 04-1011 § 1; Ord. 04-1008 § 9; Ord. 03-1020 § 2)
16A.03.040 Permit Assistance Staff
The City shall designate permit assistance staff pursuant to RCW 36.70B.220, whose function it is to assist permit applicants. Permit assistance staff designated under this section shall:
A. Make available to permit applicants all current regulations and adopted policies of the City of SeaTac that apply to the subject application. The City shall, upon request, provide copies according to Chapter 42.17 RCW. The City shall also make available procedures, checklists and information to facilitate the permit process; and
B. Establish and make known to the public the means of obtaining the handouts and related information; and
C. Provide assistance regarding the application of the regulations adopted by the City of SeaTac in particular cases. (Ord. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C); Ord. 18-1004 § 1; Ord. 03-1020 § 2)