Article V. Land Division Procedures
15.02.400 Land division expirations and resubdivision.
A. Expiration of Preliminary Subdivision Approval. Final subdivision approval must be obtained within the time limits established in RCW 58.17.140, after which time the preliminary approval will be void. An extension may be granted by the city for one year if the applicant has attempted in good faith to submit the final plat within the time period; provided, however, that the applicant files a written request with the planning director requesting the extension at least thirty days before expiration of the time period.
B. Expiration of Preliminary Short Subdivision or Preliminary Binding Site Plan Approval. Final short subdivision or final binding site plan approval must be obtained within five years of the date of preliminary approval, after which time the preliminary approval will be void. An extension may be granted by the city for one year if the applicant has attempted in good faith to submit the final short plat or binding site plan within the time period; provided, however, that the applicant files a written request with the planning director requesting the extension of at least thirty days before the expiration of the time period. In the event of any public emergency declared by the mayor or city council, an additional extension of one year may be granted.
C. Expiration of Preliminary Subdivision Alteration or Vacation Approval. Final subdivision alteration or vacation approval must be obtained within five years of the date of preliminary approval, after which time the preliminary approval will be void. An extension may be granted by the city for one year if the applicant has attempted in good faith to submit the final plat alteration or vacation within the five-year time period; provided, however, the applicant must file a written request with the planning director requesting the extension at least thirty days before expiration of the five-year period. In the event of any public emergency declared by the mayor or city council, an additional extension of one year may be granted.
D. Expiration of Preliminary Short Subdivision Alteration or Vacation Approval. Final short subdivision alteration or vacation approval must be obtained within five years of the date of preliminary approval, after which time the preliminary short subdivision alteration or vacation approval will be void. No extension may be granted by the city to the applicant, except in the event of any public emergency declared by the mayor or city council, an additional extension of one year may be granted.
E. Expiration of Approval for a Binding Site Plan with a Previously Approved Site Plan. Final binding site plan approval must be obtained within the time frames established for the previously approved site plan. If the binding site plan with the previously approved site plan is totally constructed, the time frame shall be three years from the date the city notifies the applicant that the application is complete, after which time the binding site plan approval will be void. No extension may be granted by the city to the applicant except in the event of any public emergency declared by the mayor or city council, an additional extension of one year may be granted.
F. Expiration of Boundary Line Adjustment Approval. The applicant must submit and complete all required documents as specified by this title within six months following the date the applicant is notified that the boundary line adjustment would be approved upon submittal of all the required final documents for recording. Failure to submit and complete the required documents within the six-month period will result in the application becoming void. No time extension will be granted except in the event of any public emergency declared by the mayor or city council, an additional extension of one year may be granted. The final required documents must be recorded within the above stated time frame.
G. Valid Land Use for Subdivision. As required by RCW 58.17.170, a subdivision shall be governed by the terms of the approval of the final plat, and any lots created thereunder shall be a valid land use notwithstanding any change in zoning laws for a period of five years, unless the city council finds that a change in conditions in the subdivision creates a serious threat to the public health or safety.
H. Unit Lot Subdivisions.
1. Ten Lots or More. For unit lot subdivisions with ten units or more, see subsection A of this section.
2. Less than Ten Lots. For unit lot subdivisions with less than ten units, see subsection B of this section.
I. Resubdivision Restrictions for Short Subdivisions.
1. Five-Year Restriction. Land within an approved short subdivision shall not be resubdivided for a period of five years from the date of final approval of the short subdivision without the submission and approval of a final subdivision under all provisions of this title concerning the subdivision of land into ten or more lots, tracts or parcels.
2. Nine-Lot Restriction. When the original short subdivision contains nine or less lots, the above restrictions shall not apply to the creation of additional lots, not exceeding a total of nine. If the number exceeds nine, a new application must be filed and processed. After five years, further division may be permitted when otherwise consistent with the regulations of the city.
3. Withdrawal of Application. Where there have been no dedications to the public and no sales of any lots in a short subdivision, nothing contained in this section shall prohibit an applicant from completely withdrawing his entire short subdivision application and thereafter presenting a new application. (Ord. 3774-20 § 3 (Exh. 2), 2020.)