Land Use Applications, Services and Charges

Current and Long Range Planning Applications

Available Land Use Applications

Each application package contains all of the forms necessary for any given project type (general land use cover sheet, specific project applications, checklists, and in some cases, affidavits of ownership). If you have questions about any of the following permits or processes that are not answered in the Frequently Asked Questions section below, please feel free to contact the Planning Hotline at (425) 670-5410.

For complex projects or projects with multiple applications, we strongly recommend a free Pre-Development Meeting. Staff from the Planning and Building divisions of the Community Development Department, the Public Works Department and the Fire Department will be available to answer questions about your project.

NOTE: Some projects will require Environmental Review. For more information about the SEPA process, please see the Department of Ecology's SEPA Handbook and LMC Title 17 - Environment.

All applications are either in Adobe .pdf format (print and fill in by hand only, click here to get Adobe Reader) or may be filled in on your computer using the Microsoft Word version.

Complete Citywide Design Guidelines (applies to Commercial, Public, Industrial, and Multi-Family zones, 4.7 Mb)

Complete City Center Design Guidelines (applies to City Center zones only, 1 Mb)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application process?

What is the cost to apply?

What are "deposit" applications and how do they work?

What other services do you provide?

How long does a land use decision typically take?

What is consolidated review?

What is the process for legalizing a pre-existing Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?

What is the application process?

Each application follows the same initial steps for processing, but then may have a different approval process. The table below shows whether an application follows a formal process (details on formal processes, e.g. Process I, Process II, are available in LMC Chapter 1.35 - Application Processing), who the decision-maker is, and the Lynnwood Municipal Code Chapter which contains the standards and/or decision criteria for a particular type of application.

Application	Process Type	Informal Decision	Preliminary Decision	Final Decision	LMC Chapter
Accessory Dwelling Unit	Administrative			Director	21.42.110.G
Appeal of Administrative Decision	Process II			Hearing Examiner	1.35.200
Appeal of Hearing Examiner Decision	Process VII			City Council	1.35.700
Appeal of Determination of Violation (Code Enforcement)	Process II			Hearing Examiner	1.35.200
Boundary Line Adjustment/Lot Combination	Administrative			Director	19.55-19.60
Binding Site Plan	Administrative	Director		Mayor	19.75
Comprehensive Plan Amendment	Administrative	Planning Commission		City Council	18.04
Conditional Use Permit	Process I			Hearing Examiner	21.24
Environmental Review	Administrative			Environmental Review Committee	17.02
Parking Review (all)	Administrative			Director	21.18
Project Design Review	Administrative			Director	21.25
Planned Unit Development	Process IV			City Council	21.30
Planned Unit Development w/ Subdivision	Process IV	Hearing Examiner		City Council	21.30
Rezone	Process IV	Planning Commission		City Council	21.22
Subdivision	Process IV	Hearing Examiner	City Council	City Council	19.15-19.45
Short Subdivision	Administrative	Director	Mayor	Mayor	19.50
Tent Encampment	Administrative			Director	21.74
Variance	Process I			Hearing Examiner	21.26
Wireless Communication Facility	Administrative			Director	21.90
Zoning Interpretation	Administrative			Director	21.04.300

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What is the cost to apply?

Please click here for Current Land Use Charges and Fees (.pdf).

NOTE: If your application involves both a deposit-type application and a fee-type application and you are paying by check, please provide separate checks for each application.

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What are "deposit" applications and how do they work?

Land use applications are charged either as a flat fee or as a "deposit" application.

Flat fees are just that - there is a fixed, one-time, non-refundable fee which is paid in full upon application.

The rest of the land use applications are "deposit" applications because the costs for processing vary greatly based on the complexity of the project. When a deposit-type application is submitted, the City places the entire amount of the deposit into a trust account. The Planner assigned to your project tracks costs that are incurred, including hourly time, legal fees (such as for the Hearing Examiner), mailing costs, and public notification. These costs are documented and deducted from the trust account. When a project is completed, the City refunds the remainder of the money in the trust account the party which paid for the deposit.

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What other services do you provide?

• Custom mapping (see fee schedule, above)
• Free .pdf maps
• Zoning Certification Letters are a basic letter which certifies the current zoning of a property, and is generally provided for lenders or other real estate professionals. See the fee schedule, above, for the current cost for this service.
• Zoning/Information Letters are letters which provide more detailed information on a property, including zoning, whether the property has any conditional use permits or variances, current code enforcement issues, and provision of Certificates of Occupancy. See the fee schedule, above, for the current cost for this service.

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How long does a land use decision typically take?

The City has 28 calendar days from the date of application to determine whether an application is complete, after which a 90- or 120-day "clock" starts. The entire process, from a determination that the application is complete to a final decision, should be finished within 90 or 120 days or less of active processing, depending on the type of project. Active processing means that review of the application is proceeding normally and a request for additional information to the applicant has not put processing "on-hold." Applications for large projects, sites with major or unusual constraints (such as wetlands or steep slopes), or projects with unexpected problems (such as soil contamination) often require additional information or clarification in order to make a decision. If additional time is required, the City will notify the applicant in writing per LMC 1.35.025. Click here to view the City's Annual Land Use Permit Performance Report.

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What is consolidated review?

Applicants may request consolidated review for projects which require two or more land use applications. This means that the final decision will be made using the permitting process (e.g. Process I, Process II, etc.) with the highest authority. The City Council has the highest authority, followed by the Hearing Examiner or Planning Commission (whichever is applicable), then by the Department Director. For example, in an application involving a Conditional Use Permit and Project Design Review, the process for Conditional Use Permits applies to both permits since the Hearing Examiner is of higher authority than the Department Director. Consolidated review is optional, must be requested by the applicant, and the applications must all be submitted at the same time.

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What is the process for legalizing a pre-existing Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), also known as mother-in-law units or granny flats, may for a limited period of time be legalized without penalty. An ADU is a dwelling unit attached to or within the main residence which contains its own sleeping, cooking, living, and bathroom facilities, and which is significantly smaller than the main home.

In early February 2010, City Council passed Ordinance No. 2823 which grants owners of ADUs constructed prior to February 17, 2010 until 5 PM on February 17, 2011 to apply for a permit to have a legal, non-conforming ADU. The purpose of this is to ensure that ADUs built without the benefit of inspections are brought to minimum life-safety standards. Property owners with ADUs who opt not to legalize their pre-existing ADU may be subject to fines and will be required to remove the ADU.

The application process is different from that for a regular ADU, detailed as follows:

1. Fill out a complete ADU application. The fee for legalizing a pre-existing ADU is the same for an administrative amendment ($263 for 2010).
2. Bring your application, fee and materials to the Permit Center to apply. Photos of the existing home are fine instead of a colors and materials plan. The City has notaries available to complete the affidavits with you at the Permit Center.
3. Your application will be assigned to a planner, who will review your application to make sure it is complete and that your ADU meets size requirements.
4. You will then be required to come in to schedule and pay for a Minimum Housing Inspection. The fee for this service is $162 in 2010.
5. A Building Inspector and an Electrical Inspector will visit your ADU to ensure that the unit meets minimum code requirements for life-safety. You may be asked to fix some items, and the inspectors will explain what process you need to follow to complete any corrections.
6. When all life-safey issues, if any, are corrected, the planner will route your ADU permit to the Department Director for approval.
7. The final step is to record your approved permit with the Snohomish County Auditor and provide the City with the recording number. The ADU permit is valid and the permit process is over once this is complete.

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