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 in Adobe .pdf format, click here to get Adobe Reader.
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 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.
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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 option, must be requested by the applicant, and the applications must all be submitted at the same time.
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