Community Development
Welcome to the Community Development Department
The Community Development Department is responsible for current and long-range planning, permitting of land use and building projects, code enforcement, and the orderly growth and development of the City. Our services include:
Overview
Lynnwood's citizens rely on their elected officials to keep a watchful eye on the community, monitor trends and identify problems and needs. The City Council and its advisory commissions and committees work to ensure that future growth and development will be in the best interests of everyone and will maintain the character of the community.
The City's visions and goals are discussed publicly and adopted as long-range "Comprehensive Plans." These plans often contain specific objectives, policies, and proposed activities. Regulations are then adopted to ensure that the plans will be carried out, and budgets are adopted to help pay for needed community infrastructure.
The Community Development Department itself is responsible for implementing regulations, ordinances and plans as adopted by the City Council and administered by the Mayor and his staff members. Department staff members do this through administration of the City's development regulations (LMC Titles 19 - Subdivisions and 21 - Zoning) and building codes (LMC Titles 15 - Plumbing and 16 - Building), and through coordination of City programs and activities with the public and other interested jurisdictions. Our staff are responsible for building safety, coordination of building permit issuance through the Permit Center, and also for correcting violations which affect the community at large.
Staff members serve local citizens, homeowners, elected officials, other City staff, contractors, developers, investors and many others. Regardless of the customer, the Community Development Department's primary purpose is to provide assistance to everyone involved in development activities within the community in a fair and expeditious manner.
One-Stop Permit Center
The Permit Center offers permits and services from multiple departments in a single location. Community Development, Economic Development, Public Works, and the Fire Marshal's Office all work together to provide you timely, friendly and effective customer service. Examples of permits issued and services include:
| Building |
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Land Use |
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Public Works |
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Fire |
| Single-Family Homes |
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Boundary Line Adjustments |
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Water, Sewer, Stormwater |
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Underground Storage Tank Removal |
| Multiple-Family Homes |
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Short Subdivisions (4-lots or less) |
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Grading |
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Fire Alarms |
| Commercial Buildings and Tenant Improvements |
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Environmental Review |
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Right-of-Way |
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Fire Suppression/Sprinklers |
| Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Systems |
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Project Design Review |
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Saturday Work Permits |
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| Minimum Housing Inspections |
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Variances |
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Tree Removal |
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Please visit the Permit Center page for more information.
Planning
Community Development is responsible for ensuring that development meets standards to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Lynnwood. Part of this obligation involves planning for future growth as mandated by the Washington State Growth Management Act, which requires all cities and counties over a certain size to develop Comprehensive Plans. A Comprehensive Plan examines all of the many elements that make up a City - including its housing, infrastructure, and economy - and establishes policies and projections over a 20-year timeline. In turn, zoning is established which sets actual development standards for land uses. Long-Range Planning is responsible for the Comprehensive Plan and special, long-term projects; while Current Planning is responsible for reviewing current development proposals.
To learn more about the planning process in general, please see "A Short Course on Local Planning" on the Washington State Department of Commerce website.
Long-Range and Comprehensive Planning
The Long-Range Planning Division is responsible for both Comprehensive Planning and Special Projects. Please visit the pages linked below for more information:
Current Planning and Development Review
The Current Planning Division is responsible for review of current development projects, particularly Lynnwood Municipal Code Titles 19 - Subdivision and 21 - Zoning. For permitting requirements, services, applications and fees, please visit the Permit Center page. Click here for information on current planning projects and here for Frequently Asked Planning Questions.
Code Enforcement
Code Enforcement is responsible for building, zoning, land use, and nuisance violations. To file a complaint or for more information, visit the Code Enforcement page.
Planning Commission
More information coming soon, please visit the Planning Commission website for the current agenda and minutes from past meetings.
Historical Commission
More information coming soon, for now, please visit the Historical Commission website for the current agenda.
Hearing Examiner
For information on the Hearing Examiner and applicable rules, please click here.
Maps
For maps of the City limits, current Zoning, Comprehensive Plan map, Municipal Urban Growth Area map, and more, click here.
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