Local Permits

Your local county or city government is also responsible for regulating development. The following will provide general information and directions to the appropriate local offices for obtaining local permits and approvals required for your project. These requirements pertain to local zoning and building codes, comprehensive land use and shoreline plans, and local development policies. Listed below are typical local permits and an explanation of what they require.

• Building Permit: Construction of permanent buildings or additions to existing facilities.
• Floodplain Development Permit: Any development (see definition below) within the 100-year floodplain. Development is defined as: any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations or storage of equipment or materials located within the area of special flood hazard.
• Noise Ordinance: Local governments set maximum intruding sound level limits or adopt statewide statute.
• Shoreline Conditional Use Permit: These are determined by local government and specified in their Shoreline Master Program.
• Shoreline Exemption: This is determined by the local government. Substantial Development Permit Exemption: Most activities exempt from the requirement for a substantial development permit are in the SMA, RCW 90.58.030(3). Other exemptions are scattered throughout RCW 90.58, and are listed by section order below: Forest Practices Not Regulated by the SMA: RCW 90.58.030(2)(d)(ii). Environmental Excellence Program: RCW 90.58.045. Agricultural Activities: RCW 90.58.030(3) and RCW 90.58.065. Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council: RCW 90.58.140(9). Fish Habitat Enhancement Projects: RCW 90.58.147 and RCW 77.55.181. Boatyard Storm Water Treatment Systems: RCW 90.58.355. Hazardous Substance Remedial Actions: RCW 90.58.355. Emergency Water Withdrawals & Facilities: RCW 90.58.370. Watershed Restoration Projects: RCW 90.58.515. Shoreline Restoration Projects: RCW 90.58.580(3).
• Shoreline Substantial Development Permit: All non-exempt developments and uses exceeding $6,416 fair market value. For private residential docks in salt water - $2,500; in fresh water - $10,000. See RCW 90.58.030(3). Fair market value is defined in WAC 173-27-030(8).
• Shoreline Variance Permit: These are determined by local government and specified in their Shoreline Master Program.
• Solid Waste (Handling) Permit: Operation of a solid waste facility (landfill, transfer station, recycling facility, some composting operations, etc.)
• Subdivision Approval: Local governments, through ordinances, have primary authority to regulate the dividing of land for residential or other purposes.