RCW 58.17.010
Purpose.
The legislature finds that the process by which land is divided is a matter of state concern and should be administered in a uniform manner by cities, towns, and counties throughout the state. The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the subdivision of land and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare in accordance with standards established by the state to prevent the overcrowding of land; to lessen congestion in the streets and highways; to promote effective use of land; to promote safe and convenient travel by the public on streets and highways; to provide for adequate light and air; to facilitate adequate provision for water, sewerage, parks and recreation areas, sites for schools and schoolgrounds and other public requirements; to provide for proper ingress and egress; to provide for the expeditious review and approval of proposed subdivisions which conform to zoning standards and local plans and policies; to adequately provide for the housing and commercial needs of the citizens of the state; and to require uniform monumenting of land subdivisions and conveyancing by accurate legal description.
[
1981 c 293 s 1
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note:
Throughout this chapter, the phrase "this act" has been changed to "this chapter." "This act" [1969 ex.s. c 271] also consists of amendments to RCW 58.08.040
and
58.24.040
and the repeal of RCW 58.16.010
through
58.16.110
.
Severability
—
1981 c 293:
"If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [
1981 c 293 s 16
.]
RCW 58.17.020
Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context or subject matter clearly requires otherwise, the words or phrases defined in this section shall have the indicated meanings.
(1) "Binding site plan" means a drawing to a scale specified by local ordinance which: (a) Identifies and shows the areas and locations of all streets, roads, improvements, utilities, open spaces, and any other matters specified by local regulations; (b) contains inscriptions or attachments setting forth such appropriate limitations and conditions for the use of the land as are established by the local government body having authority to approve the site plan; and (c) contains provisions making any development be in conformity with the site plan.
(2) "Block" is a group of lots, tracts, or parcels within well defined and fixed boundaries.
(3) "Clear and objective design and development standards" means locally adopted development regulations that involve no personal or subjective judgment by a public official, and are ascertainable by reference to measurable written or graphic criteria available and knowable to the permit applicant, the public, and public officials prior to submittal.
(4) "County auditor" shall be as defined in chapter
36.22
RCW or the office or person assigned such duties under a county charter.
(5) "County commissioner" shall be as defined in chapter
36.32
RCW or the body assigned such duties under a county charter.
(6) "County road engineer" shall be as defined in chapter
36.40
RCW or the office or person assigned such duties under a county charter.
(7) "County treasurer" shall be as defined in chapter
36.29
RCW or the office or person assigned such duties under a county charter.
(8) "Dedication" is the deliberate appropriation of land by an owner for any general and public uses, reserving to himself or herself no other rights than such as are compatible with the full exercise and enjoyment of the public uses to which the property has been devoted. The intention to dedicate shall be evidenced by the owner by the presentment for filing of a final plat or short plat showing the dedication thereon; and, the acceptance by the public shall be evidenced by the approval of such plat for filing by the appropriate governmental unit.
A dedication of an area of less than two acres for use as a public park may include a designation of a name for the park, in honor of a deceased individual of good character.
(9) "Final plat" is the final drawing of the subdivision and dedication prepared for filing for record with the county auditor and containing all elements and requirements set forth in this chapter and in local regulations adopted under this chapter.
(10) "Lot" is a fractional part of divided lands having fixed boundaries, being of sufficient area and dimension to meet minimum zoning requirements for width and area. The term shall include tracts or parcels.
(11) "Parent lot" means a residential lot that is subdivided into unit lots through the unit lot subdivision process.
(12) "Planning commission" means that body as defined in chapter
36.70, 35.63, or
35A.63
RCW as designated by the legislative body to perform a planning function or that body assigned such duties and responsibilities under a city or county charter.
(13) "Plat" is a map or representation of a subdivision, showing thereon the division of a tract or parcel of land into lots, blocks, streets and alleys, or other divisions and dedications.
(14) "Preliminary plat" is a neat and approximate drawing of a proposed subdivision showing the general layout of streets and alleys, lots, blocks, and other elements of a subdivision consistent with the requirements of this chapter. The preliminary plat shall be the basis for the approval or disapproval of the general layout of a subdivision.
(15) "Short plat" is the map or representation of a short subdivision.
(16) "Short subdivision" is the division or redivision of land into four or fewer lots, tracts, parcels, sites, or divisions for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership. However, the legislative authority of any city or town may by local ordinance increase the number of lots, tracts, or parcels to be regulated as short subdivisions to a maximum of nine. The legislative authority of any county planning under RCW 36.70A.040
that has adopted a comprehensive plan and development regulations in compliance with chapter
36.70A
RCW may by ordinance increase the number of lots, tracts, or parcels to be regulated as short subdivisions to a maximum of nine in any urban growth area.
(17) "Subdivision" is the division or redivision of land into five or more lots, tracts, parcels, sites, or divisions for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership, except as provided in subsection (16) of this section.
(18) "Unit lot" means a subdivided lot within a residential development as created from a parent lot and approved through the unit lot subdivision process.
(19) "Unit lot subdivision" means a subdivision or short subdivision proposed as part of a residential development project that meets the development standards applicable to the parent lot at the time the application is vested, but which may result in development on one or more individual unit lots becoming nonconforming as to specified land use and development standards based on the analysis of the individual unit lot. By June 30, 2026, all unit lot subdivisions shall require notification to purchasers of their legal status as further described in RCW 58.17.060
.
[
2025 c 271 s 1
;
2002 c 262 s 1
;
1995 c 32 s 2
;
1983 c 121 s 1
. Prior:
1981 c 293 s 2
;
1981 c 292 s 1
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 2
.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note:
The definitions in this section have been alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015
(2)(k).
Severability
—
1981 c 293:
See note following RCW 58.17.010
.
Camping resort contracts
—
Nonapplicability of certain laws to
—
Resort not subdivision except under city, county powers: RCW 19.105.510
.
RCW 58.17.030
Subdivisions to comply with chapter, local regulations.
Every subdivision shall comply with the provisions of this chapter. Every short subdivision as defined in this chapter shall comply with the provisions of any local regulation adopted pursuant to RCW 58.17.060
.
[
1974 ex.s. c 134 s 1
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 3
.]
RCW 58.17.033
Proposed division of land
—
Consideration of application for preliminary plat or short plat approval
—
Requirements defined by local ordinance.
(1) A proposed division of land, as defined in RCW 58.17.020, shall be considered under the subdivision or short subdivision ordinance, and zoning or other land use control ordinances, in effect on the land at the time a fully completed application for preliminary plat approval of the subdivision, or short plat approval of the short subdivision, has been submitted to the appropriate county, city, or town official.
(2) The requirements for a fully completed application shall be defined by local ordinance.
(3) The limitations imposed by this section shall not restrict conditions imposed under chapter
43.21C
RCW.
[
1987 c 104 s 2
.]
RCW 58.17.035
Alternative method of land division
—
Binding site plans.
A city, town, or county may adopt by ordinance procedures for the divisions of land by use of a binding site plan as an alternative to the procedures required by this chapter. The ordinance shall be limited and only apply to one or more of the following: (1) The use of a binding site plan to create or modify divisions for sale or lease of commercially or industrially zoned property as provided in RCW 58.17.040
(4); (2) divisions of property for lease as provided for in RCW 58.17.040
(5); and (3) divisions of property as provided for in RCW 58.17.040
(7). Such ordinance may apply the same or different requirements and procedures to each of the three types of divisions and shall provide for the alteration or vacation of the binding site plan, and may provide for the administrative approval of the binding site plan. For the purposes of this section, commercially zoned property includes property that is zoned to permit or conditionally permit any multifamily residential uses.
The ordinance shall provide that after approval of the general binding site plan for industrial or commercial divisions subject to a binding site plan, the approval for improvements and finalization of specific individual commercial or industrial lots shall be done by administrative approval.
The binding site plan, after approval, and/or when specific lots are administratively approved, shall be filed with the county auditor with a record of survey. Lots, parcels, or tracts created through the binding site plan procedure shall be legal lots of record. The number of lots, tracts, parcels, sites, or divisions shall not exceed the number of lots allowed by the local zoning ordinances.
All provisions, conditions, and requirements of the binding site plan shall be legally enforceable on the purchaser or any other person acquiring a lease or other ownership interest of any lot, parcel, or tract created pursuant to the binding site plan.
Any sale, transfer, or lease of any lot, tract, or parcel created pursuant to the binding site plan, that does not conform to the requirements of the binding site plan or without binding site plan approval, shall be considered a violation of chapter
58.17
RCW [this chapter] and shall be restrained by injunctive action and be illegal as provided in chapter
58.17
RCW [this chapter].
[
2025 c 208 s 1
;
1987 c 354 s 2
.]
RCW 58.17.040
Chapter inapplicable, when.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:
(1) Cemeteries and other burial plots while used for that purpose;
(2) Divisions of land into lots or tracts each of which is one-one hundred twenty-eighth of a section of land or larger, or five acres or larger if the land is not capable of description as a fraction of a section of land, unless the governing authority of the city, town, or county in which the land is situated shall have adopted a subdivision ordinance requiring plat approval of such divisions: PROVIDED, That for purposes of computing the size of any lot under this item which borders on a street or road, the lot size shall be expanded to include that area that would be bounded by the center line of the road or street and the side lot lines of the lot running perpendicular to such center line;
(3) Divisions made by testamentary provisions, or the laws of descent;
(4) Divisions of land into lots or tracts classified for industrial or commercial use when the city, town, or county has approved a binding site plan for the use of the land in accordance with local regulations. For the purposes of this section, commercially zoned property includes property that is zoned to permit or conditionally permit any multifamily residential uses;
(5) A division for the purpose of lease when no residential structure other than mobile homes, tiny houses or tiny houses with wheels as defined in RCW 35.21.686, or travel trailers are permitted to be placed upon the land when the city, town, or county has approved a binding site plan for the use of the land in accordance with local regulations;
(6) A division made for the purpose of alteration by adjusting boundary lines, between platted or unplatted lots or both, which does not create any additional lot, tract, parcel, site, or division nor create any lot, tract, parcel, site, or division which contains insufficient area and dimension to meet minimum requirements for width and area for a building site;
(7) Divisions of land into lots or tracts if: (a) Such division is the result of subjecting a portion of a parcel or tract of land to either *chapter
64.32
or
64.34
RCW subsequent to the recording of a binding site plan for all such land; (b) the improvements constructed or to be constructed thereon are required by the provisions of the binding site plan to be included in one or more condominiums or owned by an association or other legal entity in which the owners of units therein or their owners' associations have a membership or other legal or beneficial interest; (c) a city, town, or county has approved the binding site plan for all such land; (d) such approved binding site plan is recorded in the county or counties in which such land is located; and (e) the binding site plan contains thereon the following statement: "All development and use of the land described herein shall be in accordance with this binding site plan, as it may be amended with the approval of the city, town, or county having jurisdiction over the development of such land, and in accordance with such other governmental permits, approvals, regulations, requirements, and restrictions that may be imposed upon such land and the development and use thereof. Upon completion, the improvements on the land shall be included in one or more condominiums or owned by an association or other legal entity in which the owners of units therein or their owners' associations have a membership or other legal or beneficial interest. This binding site plan shall be binding upon all now or hereafter having any interest in the land described herein." The binding site plan may, but need not, depict or describe the boundaries of the lots or tracts resulting from subjecting a portion of the land to either *chapter
64.32
or
64.34
RCW. A site plan shall be deemed to have been approved if the site plan was approved by a city, town, or county: (i) In connection with the final approval of a subdivision plat or planned unit development with respect to all of such land; or (ii) in connection with the issuance of building permits or final certificates of occupancy with respect to all of such land; or (iii) if not approved pursuant to (i) and (ii) of this subsection (7)(e), then pursuant to such other procedures as such city, town, or county may have established for the approval of a binding site plan;
(8) A division for the purpose of leasing land for facilities providing personal wireless services while used for that purpose. "Personal wireless services" means any federally licensed personal wireless service. "Facilities" means unstaffed facilities that are used for the transmission or reception, or both, of wireless communication services including, but not necessarily limited to, antenna arrays, transmission cables, equipment shelters, and support structures;
(9) A division of land into lots or tracts of less than three acres that is recorded in accordance with chapter
58.09
RCW and is used or to be used for the purpose of establishing a site for construction and operation of consumer-owned or investor-owned electric utility facilities. For purposes of this subsection, "electric utility facilities" means unstaffed facilities, except for the presence of security personnel, that are used for or in connection with or to facilitate the transmission, distribution, sale, or furnishing of electricity including, but not limited to, electric power substations. This subsection does not exempt a division of land from the zoning and permitting laws and regulations of cities, towns, counties, and municipal corporations. Furthermore, this subsection only applies to electric utility facilities that will be placed into service to meet the electrical needs of a utility's existing and new customers. New customers are defined as electric service locations not already in existence as of the date that electric utility facilities subject to the provisions of this subsection are planned and constructed; and
(10) A division of land into lots or tracts of less than two acres that is recorded in accordance with chapter
58.09
RCW and is used or to be used for the purpose of establishing a site for construction and operation of a rural fire district station, provided the proposed lots or tracts contain sufficient area and dimensions to meet minimum building site width and area requirements, and appropriate provisions are made for potable water supplies and sanitary wastes.
[
2025 c 208 s 2
;
2024 c 190 s 2
;
2019 c 352 s 2
;
2004 c 239 s 1
;
2002 c 44 s 1
;
1992 c 220 s 27
; 1989 c 43 s 4-123. Prior:
1987 c 354 s 1
;
1987 c 108 s 1
;
1983 c 121 s 2
; prior:
1981 c 293 s 3
;
1981 c 292 s 2
;
1974 ex.s. c 134 s 2
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 4
.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note:
Chapters
64.32
and
64.34
RCW were repealed by 2024 c 321 ss 501 and 502, effective January 1, 2028.
Expiration date
—
2025 c 208 s 2:
"Section 2 of this act expires January 1, 2028." [
2025 c 208 s 6
.]
Findings
—
Intent
—
2024 c 190:
"The legislature finds that fire protection is a critical component in maximizing fire preparedness and response in rural and suburban areas of the state that are living with increasing fire danger. Even though this year was not characterized by excessive forest fires, the fires that did happen were devastating. The legislature finds that areas with existing communities that oftentimes include rural school districts and fire districts need the ability to increase fire preparedness and response times. The experiences of the last few years have shown that rapid response is highly effective in reducing the destruction of wildfires. The legislature intends to be a partner with these communities in maximizing fire protection by enabling existing fire districts to expand their services." [
2024 c 190 s 1
.]
Finding
—
2019 c 352:
"Tiny houses have become a trend across the nation to address the shortage of affordable housing. As tiny houses become more acceptable, the legislature finds that it is important to create space in the code for the regulation of tiny house siting. Individual cities and counties may allow tiny houses with wheels to be collected together as tiny house villages using the binding site plan method articulated in chapter
58.17
RCW.
The legislature recognizes that the International Code Council in 2018 has issued tiny house building code standards in Appendix Q of the International Residential Code, which can provide a basis for the standards requested within this act." [
2019 c 352 s 1
.]
Effective date
—
1989 c 43:
See RCW 64.34.930
.
Severability
—
1981 c 293:
See note following RCW 58.17.010
.
PDF
RCW 58.17.040
Chapter inapplicable, when.
(Effective January 1, 2028.)
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:
(1) Cemeteries and other burial plots while used for that purpose;
(2) Divisions of land into lots or tracts each of which is one-one hundred twenty-eighth of a section of land or larger, or five acres or larger if the land is not capable of description as a fraction of a section of land, unless the governing authority of the city, town, or county in which the land is situated shall have adopted a subdivision ordinance requiring plat approval of such divisions: PROVIDED, That for purposes of computing the size of any lot under this item which borders on a street or road, the lot size shall be expanded to include that area that would be bounded by the center line of the road or street and the side lot lines of the lot running perpendicular to such center line;
(3) Divisions made by testamentary provisions, or the laws of descent;
(4) Divisions of land into lots or tracts classified for industrial or commercial use when the city, town, or county has approved a binding site plan for the use of the land in accordance with local regulations. For the purposes of this section, commercially zoned property includes property that is zoned to permit or conditionally permit any multifamily residential uses;
(5) A division for the purpose of lease when no residential structure other than mobile homes, tiny houses or tiny houses with wheels as defined in RCW 35.21.686, or travel trailers are permitted to be placed upon the land when the city, town, or county has approved a binding site plan for the use of the land in accordance with local regulations;
(6) A division made for the purpose of alteration by adjusting boundary lines, between platted or unplatted lots or both, which does not create any additional lot, tract, parcel, site, or division nor create any lot, tract, parcel, site, or division which contains insufficient area and dimension to meet minimum requirements for width and area for a building site;
(7) Divisions of land into lots or tracts if: (a) Such division is the result of subjecting a portion of a parcel or tract of land to chapter
64.90
RCW subsequent to the recording of a binding site plan for all such land; (b) the improvements constructed or to be constructed thereon are required by the provisions of the binding site plan to be included in one or more condominiums, cooperatives, or owned by an association or other legal entity in which the owners of units therein or their owners associations have a membership or other legal or beneficial interest; (c) a city, town, or county has approved the binding site plan for all such land; (d) such approved binding site plan is recorded in the county or counties in which such land is located; and (e) the binding site plan contains thereon the following statement: "All development and use of the land described herein shall be in accordance with this binding site plan, as it may be amended with the approval of the city, town, or county having jurisdiction over the development of such land, and in accordance with such other governmental permits, approvals, regulations, requirements, and restrictions that may be imposed upon such land and the development and use thereof. Upon completion, the improvements on the land shall be included in one or more condominiums, cooperatives, or owned by an association or other legal entity in which the owners of units therein or their owners associations have a membership or other legal or beneficial interest. This binding site plan shall be binding upon all now or hereafter having any interest in the land described herein." The binding site plan may, but need not, depict or describe the boundaries of the lots or tracts resulting from subjecting a portion of the land to chapter
64.90
RCW. A site plan shall be deemed to have been approved if the site plan was approved by a city, town, or county: (i) In connection with the final approval of a subdivision plat or planned unit development with respect to all of such land; or (ii) in connection with the issuance of building permits or final certificates of occupancy with respect to all of such land; or (iii) if not approved pursuant to (i) and (ii) of this subsection (7)(e), then pursuant to such other procedures as such city, town, or county may have established for the approval of a binding site plan;
(8) A division for the purpose of leasing land for facilities providing personal wireless services while used for that purpose. "Personal wireless services" means any federally licensed personal wireless service. "Facilities" means unstaffed facilities that are used for the transmission or reception, or both, of wireless communication services including, but not necessarily limited to, antenna arrays, transmission cables, equipment shelters, and support structures;
(9) A division of land into lots or tracts of less than three acres that is recorded in accordance with chapter
58.09
RCW and is used or to be used for the purpose of establishing a site for construction and operation of consumer-owned or investor-owned electric utility facilities. For purposes of this subsection, "electric utility facilities" means unstaffed facilities, except for the presence of security personnel, that are used for or in connection with or to facilitate the transmission, distribution, sale, or furnishing of electricity including, but not limited to, electric power substations. This subsection does not exempt a division of land from the zoning and permitting laws and regulations of cities, towns, counties, and municipal corporations. Furthermore, this subsection only applies to electric utility facilities that will be placed into service to meet the electrical needs of a utility's existing and new customers. New customers are defined as electric service locations not already in existence as of the date that electric utility facilities subject to the provisions of this subsection are planned and constructed; and
(10) A division of land into lots or tracts of less than two acres that is recorded in accordance with chapter
58.09
RCW and is used or to be used for the purpose of establishing a site for construction and operation of a rural fire district station, provided the proposed lots or tracts contain sufficient area and dimensions to meet minimum building site width and area requirements, and appropriate provisions are made for potable water supplies and sanitary wastes.
[
2025 c 208 s 3
. Prior:
2024 c 321 s 407
;
2024 c 190 s 2
;
2019 c 352 s 2
;
2004 c 239 s 1
;
2002 c 44 s 1
;
1992 c 220 s 27
; 1989 c 43 s 4-123; prior:
1987 c 354 s 1
;
1987 c 108 s 1
;
1983 c 121 s 2
; prior:
1981 c 293 s 3
;
1981 c 292 s 2
;
1974 ex.s. c 134 s 2
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 4
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2025 c 208 s 3:
"Section 3 of this act takes effect January 1, 2028." [
2025 c 208 s 7
.]
Effective dates
—
2024 c 321 ss 319 and 401-432:
See note following RCW 64.90.485
.
Findings
—
Intent
—
2024 c 190:
"The legislature finds that fire protection is a critical component in maximizing fire preparedness and response in rural and suburban areas of the state that are living with increasing fire danger. Even though this year was not characterized by excessive forest fires, the fires that did happen were devastating. The legislature finds that areas with existing communities that oftentimes include rural school districts and fire districts need the ability to increase fire preparedness and response times. The experiences of the last few years have shown that rapid response is highly effective in reducing the destruction of wildfires. The legislature intends to be a partner with these communities in maximizing fire protection by enabling existing fire districts to expand their services." [
2024 c 190 s 1
.]
Finding
—
2019 c 352:
"Tiny houses have become a trend across the nation to address the shortage of affordable housing. As tiny houses become more acceptable, the legislature finds that it is important to create space in the code for the regulation of tiny house siting. Individual cities and counties may allow tiny houses with wheels to be collected together as tiny house villages using the binding site plan method articulated in chapter
58.17
RCW.
The legislature recognizes that the International Code Council in 2018 has issued tiny house building code standards in Appendix Q of the International Residential Code, which can provide a basis for the standards requested within this act." [
2019 c 352 s 1
.]
Effective date
—
1989 c 43:
See RCW 64.34.930
.
Severability
—
1981 c 293:
See note following RCW 58.17.010
.
RCW 58.17.050
Assessors plat
—
Compliance.
An assessors plat made in accordance with RCW 58.18.010
need not comply with any of the requirements of this chapter except RCW 58.17.240
and
58.17.250
.
[
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 5
.]
RCW 58.17.060
Short plats and short subdivisions
—
Summary approval
—
Regulations
—
Requirements.
(1) The legislative body of a city, town, or county shall adopt regulations and procedures, and appoint administrative personnel for the summary approval of short plats and short subdivisions or alteration or vacation thereof. When an alteration or vacation involves a public dedication, the alteration or vacation shall be processed as provided in RCW 58.17.212
or
58.17.215
. Such regulations shall be adopted by ordinance and shall provide that a short plat and short subdivision may be approved only if written findings that are appropriate, as provided in RCW 58.17.110, are made by the administrative personnel, and may contain wholly different requirements than those governing the approval of preliminary and final plats of subdivisions and may require surveys and monumentations and shall require filing of a short plat, or alteration or vacation thereof, for record in the office of the county auditor: PROVIDED, That such regulations must contain a requirement that land in short subdivisions may not be further divided in any manner within a period of five years without the filing of a final plat, except that when the short plat contains fewer than four parcels, nothing in this section shall prevent the owner who filed the short plat from filing an alteration within the five-year period to create up to a total of four lots within the original short plat boundaries: PROVIDED FURTHER, That such regulations are not required to contain a penalty clause as provided in RCW 36.32.120
and may provide for wholly injunctive relief.
An ordinance requiring a survey shall require that the survey be completed and filed with the application for approval of the short subdivision.
(2) Cities, towns, and counties shall include in their short plat regulations and procedures pursuant to subsection (1) of this section provisions for considering sidewalks and other planning features that assure safe walking conditions for students who walk to and from school.
(3) All cities and towns located in a county planning under RCW 36.70A.040
shall adopt or enact procedures for unit lot subdivisions. Portions of the parent lot not subdivided for individual unit lots shall be owned in common by the owners of the individual unit lots, or by a homeowners' association comprised of the owners of the individual unit lots.
(a) These procedures shall include, at a minimum, the requirement that prominent informational notes be placed on the unit lot subdivision's plat, and recorded in the county or counties in which such land is located, to acknowledge each of the following:
(i) Approval of the design and layout of the unit lot's housing development project was granted based on detailed review of that specified project, as a whole, on the parent lot, including specific reference to the applicable permit or file number for that specified project;
(ii) Subsequent subdivision actions, additions, or modifications to the unit lot housing development project's structures may not create or increase any nonconformity of the parent lot as a whole, and shall conform to the approved unit lot housing development project or to the land use and development standards in effect at the time of the proposed actions, additions, or modifications;
(iii) If a structure or portion of a structure within the unit lot housing development project has been damaged or destroyed, any repair, reconstruction, or replacement of any structure shall conform to the approved unit lot housing development project or to the land use and development standards in effect at the time the proposed repair, reconstruction, or replacement project's permit application becomes vested; and
(iv) Additional development or redevelopment of the individual unit lots may be limited as a result of the application of development standards to the parent lot.
(b) These procedures shall also:
(i) Not require any public predecision meeting or hearing, nor any design review other than administrative design review, except for those required to comply with state law, including chapter
90.58
RCW. A city must ensure that the community and property owners within 250 feet of the unit lot to be subdivided are provided notice consistent with RCW 36.70B.110
of how to provide written comments to the administrative decision maker, including through notice posted on the closest public sidewalk or roadway;
(ii) Apply only clear and objective design and development standards;
(iii) Be logically integrated with the application, review, and approval procedures that apply to the underlying unit lot housing development project to the greatest extent feasible; and
(iv) Be specifically subject to the maximum time period for local government actions as set forth in RCW 36.70B.080, unless extended pursuant to project-specific mutual agreement as permitted by RCW 36.70B.080
.
(c) After the deadlines in (e) of this subsection, no city or town subject to this section may decline to accept, process, or approve an application for a unit lot subdivision, consistent with the procedural requirements of (a) and (b) of this subsection, solely because that city or town has not completed adoption or enactment of the procedures required under this section.
(d) Nothing in this section:
(i) Prohibits a city or county from applying public health, safety, building code, and environmental permitting requirements to a development project that is subject to or integrated with a unit lot subdivision process;
(ii) Requires a city or county to authorize a development project or a unit lot subdivision in a location where development is restricted under other laws, rules, or ordinances, such as in locations where development is limited as a result of physical proximity to on-site sewage system infrastructure, critical areas, or other unsuitable physical characteristics of a property.
(e) Cities and towns that are required to submit their next comprehensive plan update in 2027 pursuant to RCW 36.70A.130
must adopt or amend by ordinance, and incorporate into their development regulations, zoning regulations, and other official controls, the requirements of this section in their next comprehensive plan update. All other cities and towns must implement the requirements of this section within two years of July 27, 2025.
(f) Nothing in this subsection alters the vesting requirements set forth in RCW 58.17.033
.
[
2025 c 271 s 2
;
2023 c 337 s 11
;
1990 1st ex.s. c 17 s 51
;
1989 c 330 s 2
;
1987 c 354 s 5
;
1987 c 92 s 1
;
1974 ex.s. c 134 s 3
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 6
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
Part, section headings not law
—
1990 1st ex.s. c 17:
See RCW 36.70A.900
and
36.70A.901
.
RCW 58.17.065
Short plats and short subdivisions
—
Filing.
Each short plat and short subdivision granted pursuant to local regulations after July 1, 1974, shall be filed with the county auditor and shall not be deemed "approved" until so filed.
[
1974 ex.s. c 134 s 12
.]
RCW 58.17.070
Preliminary plat of subdivisions and dedications
—
Submission for approval
—
Procedure.
A preliminary plat of proposed subdivisions and dedications of land shall be submitted for approval to the legislative body of the city, town, or county within which the plat is situated.
Unless an applicant for preliminary plat approval requests otherwise, a preliminary plat shall be processed simultaneously with applications for rezones, variances, planned unit developments, site plan approvals, and similar quasi-judicial or administrative actions to the extent that procedural requirements applicable to these actions permit simultaneous processing.
[
1981 c 293 s 4
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 7
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1981 c 293:
See note following RCW 58.17.010
.
RCW 58.17.080
Filing of preliminary plat
—
Notice.
Notice of the filing of a preliminary plat of a proposed subdivision adjacent to or within one mile of the municipal boundaries of a city or town, or which contemplates the use of any city or town utilities shall be given to the appropriate city or town authorities. Any notice required by this chapter shall include the hour and location of the hearing and a description of the property to be platted. Notice of the filing of a preliminary plat of a proposed subdivision located in a city or town and adjoining the municipal boundaries thereof shall be given to appropriate county officials. Notice of the filing of a preliminary plat of a proposed subdivision located adjacent to the right-of-way of a state highway or within two miles of the boundary of a state or municipal airport shall be given to the secretary of transportation. In the case of notification to the secretary of transportation, the secretary shall respond to the notifying authority within fifteen days of such notice as to the effect that the proposed subdivision will have on the state highway or the state or municipal airport.
[
1982 c 23 s 1
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 8
.]
RCW 58.17.090
Notice of public hearing.
(1) Upon receipt of an application for preliminary plat approval the administrative officer charged by ordinance with responsibility for administration of regulations pertaining to platting and subdivisions shall provide public notice and set a date for a public hearing. Except as provided in RCW 36.70B.110, at a minimum, notice of the hearing shall be given in the following manner:
(a) Notice shall be published not less than ten days prior to the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation within the county and a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the real property which is proposed to be subdivided is located; and
(b) Special notice of the hearing shall be given to adjacent landowners by any other reasonable method local authorities deem necessary. Adjacent landowners are the owners of real property, as shown by the records of the county assessor, located within three hundred feet of any portion of the boundary of the proposed subdivision. If the owner of the real property which is proposed to be subdivided owns another parcel or parcels of real property which lie adjacent to the real property proposed to be subdivided, notice under this subsection (1)(b) shall be given to owners of real property located within three hundred feet of any portion of the boundaries of such adjacently located parcels of real property owned by the owner of the real property proposed to be subdivided.
(2) All hearings shall be public. All hearing notices shall include a description of the location of the proposed subdivision. The description may be in the form of either a vicinity location sketch or a written description other than a legal description.
[
1995 c 347 s 426
;
1981 c 293 s 5
;
1974 ex.s. c 134 s 4
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 9
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
Severability
—
Part headings and table of contents not law
—
1995 c 347:
See notes following RCW 36.70A.470
.
Severability
—
1981 c 293:
See note following RCW 58.17.010
.
RCW 58.17.092
Public notice
—
Identification of affected property.
Any notice made under chapter
58.17
or
36.70B
RCW that identifies affected property may identify this affected property without using a legal description of the property including, but not limited to, identification by an address, written description, vicinity sketch, or other reasonable means.
[
1995 c 347 s 427
;
1988 c 168 s 12
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
Severability
—
Part headings and table of contents not law
—
1995 c 347:
See notes following RCW 36.70A.470
.
RCW 58.17.095
Ordinance may authorize administrative review of preliminary plat without public hearing.
A county, city, or town may adopt an ordinance providing for the administrative review of a preliminary plat without a public hearing by adopting an ordinance providing for such administrative review. The ordinance may specify a threshold number of lots in a subdivision above which a public hearing must be held, and may specify other factors which necessitate the holding of a public hearing. The administrative review process shall include the following minimum conditions:
(1) The notice requirements of RCW 58.17.090
shall be followed, except that the publication shall be made within ten days of the filing of the application. Additionally, at least ten days after the filing of the application notice both shall be: (a) Posted on or around the land proposed to be subdivided in at least five conspicuous places designed to attract public awareness of the proposal; and (b) mailed to the owner of each lot or parcel of property located within at least three hundred feet of the site. The applicant shall provide the county, city, or town with a list of such property owners and their addresses. The notice shall include notification that no public hearing will be held on the application, except as provided by this section. The notice shall set out the procedures and time limitations for persons to require a public hearing and make comments.
(2) Any person shall have a period of twenty days from the date of the notice to comment upon the proposed preliminary plat. All comments received shall be provided to the applicant. The applicant has seven days from receipt of the comments to respond thereto.
(3) A public hearing on the proposed subdivision shall be held if any person files a request for a hearing with the county, city, or town within twenty-one days of the publishing of such notice. If such a hearing is requested, notice requirements for the public hearing shall be in conformance with RCW 58.17.090, and the ninety-day period for approval or disapproval of the proposed subdivision provided for in RCW 58.17.140
shall commence with the date of the filing of the request for a public hearing. Any hearing ordered under this subsection shall be conducted by the planning commission or hearings officer as required by county or city ordinance.
(4) On its own initiative within twenty-one days of the filing of the request for approval of the subdivision, the governing body, or a designated employee or official, of the county, city, or town, shall be authorized to cause a public hearing to be held on the proposed subdivision within ninety days of the filing of the request for the subdivision.
(5) If the public hearing is waived as provided in this section, the planning commission or planning agency shall complete the review of the proposed preliminary plat and transmit its recommendation to the legislative body as provided in RCW 58.17.100
.
[
1986 c 233 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Applicability
—
1986 c 233:
"This act does not affect the provisions of RCW 82.02.020
." [
1986 c 233 s 3
.]
RCW 58.17.100
Review of preliminary plats by planning commission or agency
—
Recommendation
—
Change by legislative body
—
Procedure
—
Approval.
If a city, town or county has established a planning commission or planning agency in accordance with state law or local charter, such commission or agency shall review all preliminary plats and make recommendations thereon to the city, town or county legislative body to assure conformance of the proposed subdivision to the general purposes of the comprehensive plan and to planning standards and specifications as adopted by the city, town or county. Reports of the planning commission or agency shall be advisory only: PROVIDED, That the legislative body of the city, town or county may, by ordinance, assign to such commission or agency, or any department official or group of officials, such administrative functions, powers and duties as may be appropriate, including the holding of hearings, and recommendations for approval or disapproval of preliminary plats of proposed subdivisions.
Such recommendation shall be submitted to the legislative body not later than fourteen days following action by the hearing body. Upon receipt of the recommendation on any preliminary plat the legislative body shall at its next public meeting set the date for the public meeting where it shall consider the recommendations of the hearing body and may adopt or reject the recommendations of such hearing body based on the record established at the public hearing. If, after considering the matter at a public meeting, the legislative body deems a change in the planning commission's or planning agency's recommendation approving or disapproving any preliminary plat is necessary, the legislative body shall adopt its own recommendations and approve or disapprove the preliminary plat.
Every decision or recommendation made under this section shall be in writing and shall include findings of fact and conclusions to support the decision or recommendation.
A record of all public meetings and public hearings shall be kept by the appropriate city, town or county authority and shall be open to public inspection.
Sole authority to adopt or amend platting ordinances shall reside in the legislative bodies. The legislative authorities of cities, towns, and counties may by ordinance delegate final plat approval to an established planning commission or agency, or to such other administrative personnel in accordance with state law or local charter.
[
2017 c 161 s 1
;
1995 c 347 s 428
;
1981 c 293 s 6
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 10
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
Severability
—
Part headings and table of contents not law
—
1995 c 347:
See notes following RCW 36.70A.470
.
Severability
—
1981 c 293:
See note following RCW 58.17.010
.
RCW 58.17.110
Approval or disapproval of subdivision and dedication
—
Factors to be considered
—
Conditions for approval
—
Finding
—
Release from damages.
(1) The city, town, or county legislative body shall inquire into the public use and interest proposed to be served by the establishment of the subdivision and dedication. It shall determine: (a) If appropriate provisions are made for, but not limited to, the public health, safety, and general welfare, for open spaces, drainage ways, streets or roads, alleys, other public ways, transit stops, potable water supplies, sanitary wastes, parks and recreation, playgrounds, schools and schoolgrounds, and shall consider all other relevant facts, including sidewalks and other planning features that assure safe walking conditions for students who only walk to and from school; and (b) whether the public interest will be served by the subdivision and dedication.
(2) A proposed subdivision and dedication shall not be approved unless the city, town, or county legislative body makes written findings that: (a) Appropriate provisions are made for the public health, safety, and general welfare and for such open spaces, drainage ways, streets or roads, alleys, other public ways, transit stops, potable water supplies, sanitary wastes, parks and recreation, playgrounds, schools and schoolgrounds and all other relevant facts, including sidewalks and other planning features that assure safe walking conditions for students who only walk to and from school; and (b) the public use and interest will be served by the platting of such subdivision and dedication. If it finds that the proposed subdivision and dedication make such appropriate provisions and that the public use and interest will be served, then the legislative body shall approve the proposed subdivision and dedication. Dedication of land to any public body, provision of public improvements to serve the subdivision, and/or impact fees imposed under RCW 82.02.050
through
82.02.090
may be required as a condition of subdivision approval. Dedications shall be clearly shown on the final plat. No dedication, provision of public improvements, or impact fees imposed under RCW 82.02.050
through
82.02.090
shall be allowed that constitutes an unconstitutional taking of private property. The legislative body shall not as a condition to the approval of any subdivision require a release from damages to be procured from other property owners.
(3) If the preliminary plat includes a dedication of a public park with an area of less than two acres and the donor has designated that the park be named in honor of a deceased individual of good character, the city, town, or county legislative body must adopt the designated name.
(4) If water supply is to be provided by a groundwater withdrawal exempt from permitting under RCW 90.44.050, the applicant's compliance with RCW 90.44.050
and with applicable rules adopted pursuant to chapters
90.22
and
90.54
RCW is sufficient in determining appropriate provisions for water supply for a subdivision, dedication, or short subdivision under this chapter.
[
2018 c 1 s 104
;
1995 c 32 s 3
;
1990 1st ex.s. c 17 s 52
;
1989 c 330 s 3
;
1974 ex.s. c 134 s 5
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 11
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
2018 c 1:
See note following RCW 90.94.010
.
Effective date
—
2018 c 1:
See RCW 90.94.900
.
Severability
—
Part, section headings not law
—
1990 1st ex.s. c 17:
See RCW 36.70A.900
and
36.70A.901
.
RCW 58.17.120
Disapproval due to flood, inundation or swamp conditions
—
Improvements
—
Approval conditions.
The city, town, or county legislative body shall consider the physical characteristics of a proposed subdivision site and may disapprove a proposed plat because of flood, inundation, or swamp conditions. Construction of protective improvements may be required as a condition of approval, and such improvements shall be noted on the final plat.
No plat shall be approved by any city, town, or county legislative authority covering any land situated in a flood control zone as provided in chapter
86.16
RCW without the prior written approval of the department of ecology of the state of Washington.
[
1974 ex.s. c 134 s 6
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 12
.]
RCW 58.17.130
Bond in lieu of actual construction of improvements prior to approval of final plat
—
Bond or security to assure successful operation of improvements.
Local regulations shall provide that in lieu of the completion of the actual construction of any required improvements prior to the approval of a final plat, the city, town, or county legislative body may accept a bond, in an amount and with surety and conditions satisfactory to it, or other secure method, providing for and securing to the municipality the actual construction and installation of such improvements within a period specified by the city, town, or county legislative body and expressed in the bonds. In addition, local regulations may provide for methods of security, including the posting of a bond securing to the municipality the successful operation of improvements for an appropriate period of time up to two years after final approval. The municipality is hereby granted the power to enforce bonds authorized under this section by all appropriate legal and equitable remedies. Such local regulations may provide that the improvements such as structures, sewers, and water systems shall be designed and certified by or under the supervision of a registered civil engineer prior to the acceptance of such improvements.
[
1974 ex.s. c 134 s 7
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 13
.]
RCW 58.17.140
Time limitation for approval or disapproval of plats
—
Extensions.
(1) Preliminary plats of any proposed subdivision and dedication shall be approved, disapproved, or returned to the applicant for modification or correction within ninety days from date of filing thereof unless the applicant consents to an extension of such time period or the ninety day limitation is extended to include up to twenty-one days as specified under RCW 58.17.095
(3): PROVIDED, That if an environmental impact statement is required as provided in RCW 43.21C.030, the ninety day period shall not include the time spent preparing and circulating the environmental impact statement by the local government agency.
(2) Final plats and short plats shall be approved, disapproved, or returned to the applicant within thirty days from the date of filing thereof, unless the applicant consents to an extension of such time period.
(3)(a) Except as provided by (b) of this subsection, a final plat meeting all requirements of this chapter shall be submitted to the legislative body of the city, town, or county for approval within seven years of the date of preliminary plat approval if the date of preliminary plat approval is on or before December 31, 2014, and within five years of the date of preliminary plat approval if the date of preliminary plat approval is on or after January 1, 2015.
(b) A final plat meeting all requirements of this chapter shall be submitted to the legislative body of the city, town, or county for approval within ten years of the date of preliminary plat approval if the project is not subject to requirements adopted under chapter
90.58
RCW and the date of preliminary plat approval is on or before December 31, 2007.
(4) Nothing contained in this section shall act to prevent any city, town, or county from adopting by ordinance procedures which would allow extensions of time that may or may not contain additional or altered conditions and requirements.
[
2013 c 16 s 1
;
2012 c 92 s 1
;
2010 c 79 s 1
;
1995 c 68 s 1
;
1986 c 233 s 2
;
1983 c 121 s 3
;
1981 c 293 s 7
;
1974 ex.s. c 134 s 8
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 14
.]
NOTES:
Applicability
—
1986 c 233:
See note following RCW 58.17.095
.
Severability
—
1981 c 293:
See note following RCW 58.17.010
.
RCW 58.17.145
Residential lot splitting
—
Administrative approval process
—
Requirements
—
Department guidance
—
Definitions.
(1) Cities shall include in their development regulations a process through which an applicant can seek review and approval of an administrative lot split, which may be combined with concurrent review of a residential building permit to create new middle housing, as defined in RCW 36.70A.030, or single-family housing. The application process for a residential lot to be split may require only an administrative decision, through which the application is reviewed, approved, or denied by the planning director or other designee based on applicable clear and objective development standards, with neither a predecision public hearing, nor any design review other than administrative design review. A new buildable residential lot and residential building permit or permits must be administratively approved and are not subject to administrative appeal if they comply with applicable development standards and the following conditions are met:
(a) No more than one newly created lot is created through the administrative lot split;
(b) Both the parent lot and the newly created lot meet the minimum lot size allowed under applicable development regulations;
(c) The parent lot was not created through the splitting of a residential lot authorized by this section;
(d) The parent lot is located in a residential zone and not in an exclusively nonresidential zone including, but not limited to, zones that are exclusively commercial, retail, agricultural, or industrial;
(e) If the lot split would require demolition or alteration of any existing housing that would displace a renter, the applicant must recommend a displacement mitigation strategy that may include, but is not limited to, relocation assistance;
(f) The applicable sewer and water purveyors have issued certificates of availability to serve the newly created lot and dwelling units;
(g) Access and utility rights are granted or conveyed as necessary on or before recording of the lot split survey to provide access for the maximum number of dwelling units that could be developed on the newly created lot, provided such access rights may be reduced consistent with a city's adopted codes, regulations, or design standards as applicable through review of a subsequent application for a building permit, short subdivision, unit lot subdivision, subdivision application, or short subdivision if less than the maximum number of dwelling units are built on the newly created lot;
(h) The planning director or other designee determines that the application follows all applicable development regulations; and
(i) The lot split survey has been approved by the planning director or other designee and includes a condition on the face of the survey that further lot splits of the parent lot and newly created lot are not authorized by this section.
(2) A proposed lot split may be conditioned upon dedication of right-of-way on the parent lot to the extent such dedication is required under applicable codes, regulations, and design standards for the development, short plat, or subdivision of the parent lot absent an administrative lot split.
(3) Development of dwelling units on the newly created lot may be conditioned upon construction of frontage improvements to a right-of-way adjacent to either the parent lot or the newly created lot to the extent required under applicable codes, regulations, and design standards.
(4) Any construction on the newly created lot is subject to all existing state and local laws including those specified in this section. Nothing in this section modifies the requirements for approval of residential building permits in chapter
19.27
RCW.
(5) A city subject to the requirements of this section may not impose a limit on the total number of dwelling units allowed on the parent lot or newly created lot that is less than the number of dwelling units allowed by the underlying zoning of the parent lot prior to the administrative lot split.
(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, lots that are not buildable according to locally adopted development regulations including, but not limited to, critical areas, shorelines, stormwater, setbacks, impervious surface areas, and building coverage standards, are not eligible for a lot split under this section.
(7) If a lot split results in a lot of a size that would allow for further land division, the lot is not eligible for a lot split but may be divided under other applicable land subdivision processes.
(8) The newly created lot must meet any locally adopted minimum density requirements.
(9) Cities are immune from any liability, loss, or other damage suffered by another that is related to the city's approval of a lot split under chapter 301, Laws of 2025, including if the lot split creates a lot that is later determined to not be buildable.
(10) Parent lots and newly created lots approved under this section must have a lot split survey recorded with the county auditor with a notation that future lot splits are not allowed on the lot.
(11) An application process or a residential lot to be split under this section is subject to the maximum time period for local government actions as set forth in RCW 36.70B.080, unless extended pursuant to project-specific mutual agreement as permitted by RCW 36.70B.080
.
(12) Ordinances adopted to comply with this section are not subject to administrative or judicial appeal under chapter
43.21C
RCW.
(13) The department of commerce must develop guidance for cities in implementing the lot splitting requirements.
(14) A city required to comply with the requirements of this section that has its next comprehensive plan update due in 2027, pursuant to RCW 36.70A.130, must adopt or amend by ordinance, and incorporate into its development regulations, zoning regulations, and other official controls, the requirements of this section in its next comprehensive plan update. All other cities required to comply with this section must implement the requirements within two years of July 27, 2025.
(15) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(a) "Lot split" means the administrative process of dividing an existing lot into two lots for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership pursuant to this section.
(b) "Lot split survey" means the final survey prepared for filing for record with the county auditor and containing all elements and requirements for a lot split under this section and any local regulations.
(c) "Newly created lot" means a lot that was created by a lot split under this section.
(d) "Parent lot" means a lot that is subjected to a lot split under this section.
(16) The provisions of this section do not apply to areas designated as sole-source aquifers by the United States environmental protection agency on islands in the Puget Sound.
[
2025 c 301 s 2
.]
NOTES:
Findings
—
Intent
—
2025 c 301:
"The legislature finds that allowing an existing residential lot to be split to create a new residential lot through a simple, administrative process can offer many advantages to both the existing homeowner and to prospective homebuyers. The legislature further finds that administrative lot splitting can provide current owners the opportunity to maintain homeownership in changing life circumstances while facilitating development of middle housing to provide homebuyers, including first-time homebuyers, with more affordable ownership opportunities. The legislature also finds that lot splitting can be combined with the review of a residential building permit application to create a single integrated process benefiting both homeowners and cities. Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to ease restrictions on, and expand opportunities for, lot splitting in cities." [
2025 c 301 s 1
.]
RCW 58.17.150
Recommendations of certain agencies to accompany plats submitted for final approval.
Each preliminary plat submitted for final approval of the legislative body shall be accompanied by the following agencies' recommendations for approval or disapproval:
(1) Local health department or other agency furnishing sewage disposal and supplying water as to the adequacy of the proposed means of sewage disposal and water supply;
(2) Local planning agency or commission, charged with the responsibility of reviewing plats and subdivisions, as to compliance with all terms of the preliminary approval of the proposed plat subdivision or dedication;
(3) City, town or county engineer.
Except as provided in RCW 58.17.140, an agency or person issuing a recommendation for subsequent approval under subsections (1) and (3) of this section shall not modify the terms of its recommendations without the consent of the applicant.
[
1983 c 121 s 4
;
1981 c 293 s 8
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 15
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1981 c 293:
See note following RCW 58.17.010
.
RCW 58.17.155
Short subdivision adjacent to state highway
—
Notice to department of transportation.
Whenever a city, town, or county receives an application for the approval of a short plat of a short subdivision that is located adjacent to the right-of-way of a state highway, the responsible administrator shall give written notice of the application, including a legal description of the short subdivision and a location map, to the department of transportation. The department shall, within fourteen days after receiving the notice, submit to the responsible administrator who furnished the notice a statement with any information that the department deems to be relevant about the effect of the proposed short subdivision upon the legal access to the state highway, the traffic carrying capacity of the state highway and the safety of the users of the state highway.
[
1984 c 47 s 1
.]
RCW 58.17.160
Requirements for each plat or replat filed for record.
Each and every plat, or replat, of any property filed for record shall:
(1) Contain a statement of approval from the city, town or county licensed road engineer or by a licensed engineer acting on behalf of the city, town or county as to the layout of streets, alleys and other rights-of-way, design of bridges, sewage and water systems, and other structures;
(2) Be accompanied by a complete survey of the section or sections in which the plat or replat is located made to surveying standards adopted by the division of engineering services of the department of natural resources pursuant to RCW 58.24.040
.
(3) Be acknowledged by the person filing the plat before the auditor of the county in which the land is located, or any other officer who is authorized by law to take acknowledgment of deeds, and a certificate of said acknowledgment shall be enclosed or annexed to such plat and recorded therewith.
(4) Contain a certification from the proper officer or officers in charge of tax collections that all taxes and delinquent assessments for which the property may be liable as of the date of certification have been duly paid, satisfied or discharged.
No engineer who is connected in any way with the subdividing and platting of the land for which subdivision approval is sought, shall examine and approve such plats on behalf of any city, town or county.
[
1985 c 99 s 1
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 16
.]
RCW 58.17.165
Certificate giving description and statement of owners must accompany final plat
—
Dedication, certificate requirements if plat contains
—
Waiver.
Every final plat or short plat of a subdivision or short subdivision filed for record must contain a certificate giving a full and correct description of the lands divided as they appear on the plat or short plat, including a statement that the subdivision or short subdivision has been made with the free consent and in accordance with the desires of the owner or owners.
If the plat or short plat is subject to a dedication, the certificate or a separate written instrument shall contain the dedication of all streets and other areas to the public, and individual or individuals, religious society or societies or to any corporation, public or private as shown on the plat or short plat and a waiver of all claims for damages against any governmental authority which may be occasioned to the adjacent land by the established construction, drainage and maintenance of said road. Said certificate or instrument of dedication shall be signed and acknowledged before a notary public by all parties having any ownership interest in the lands subdivided and recorded as part of the final plat.
Every plat and short plat containing a dedication filed for record must be accompanied by a title report confirming that the title of the lands as described and shown on said plat is in the name of the owners signing the certificate or instrument of dedication.
An offer of dedication may include a waiver of right of direct access to any street from any property, and if the dedication is accepted, any such waiver is effective. Such waiver may be required by local authorities as a condition of approval. Roads not dedicated to the public must be clearly marked on the face of the plat. Any dedication, donation or grant as shown on the face of the plat shall be considered to all intents and purposes, as a quitclaim deed to the said donee or donees, grantee or grantees for his, her or their use for the purpose intended by the donors or grantors as aforesaid.
[
1981 c 293 s 9
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 30
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1981 c 293:
See note following RCW 58.17.010
.
RCW 58.17.170
Written approval of subdivision
—
Original of final plat to be filed
—
Copies
—
Periods of validity, governance.
(1) When the legislative body of the city, town, or county, or such other agency as authorized by RCW 58.17.100, finds that the subdivision proposed for final plat approval conforms to all terms of the preliminary plat approval, and that said subdivision meets the requirements of this chapter, other applicable state laws, and any local ordinances adopted under this chapter which were in effect at the time of preliminary plat approval, it shall suitably inscribe and execute its written approval on the face of the plat. The original of said final plat shall be filed for record with the county auditor. One reproducible copy shall be furnished to the city, town, or county engineer. One paper copy shall be filed with the county assessor. Paper copies shall be provided to such other agencies as may be required by ordinance.
(2)(a) Except as provided by (b) of this subsection, any lots in a final plat filed for record shall be a valid land use notwithstanding any change in zoning laws for a period of seven years from the date of filing if the date of filing is on or before December 31, 2014, and for a period of five years from the date of filing if the date of filing is on or after January 1, 2015.
(b) Any lots in a final plat filed for record shall be a valid land use notwithstanding any change in zoning laws for a period of ten years from the date of filing if the project is not subject to requirements adopted under chapter
90.58
RCW and the date of filing is on or before December 31, 2007.
(3)(a) Except as provided by (b) of this subsection, a subdivision shall be governed by the terms of approval of the final plat, and the statutes, ordinances, and regulations in effect at the time of approval under RCW 58.17.150
(1) and (3) for a period of seven years after final plat approval if the date of final plat approval is on or before December 31, 2014, and for a period of five years after final plat approval if the date of final plat approval is on or after January 1, 2015, unless the legislative body finds that a change in conditions creates a serious threat to the public health or safety in the subdivision.
(b) A subdivision shall be governed by the terms of approval of the final plat, and the statutes, ordinances, and regulations in effect at the time of approval under RCW 58.17.150
(1) and (3) for a period of ten years after final plat approval if the project is not subject to requirements adopted under chapter
90.58
RCW and the date of final plat approval is on or before December 31, 2007, unless the legislative body finds that a change in conditions creates a serious threat to the public health or safety in the subdivision.
[
2017 c 161 s 2
;
2013 c 16 s 2
;
2012 c 92 s 2
;
2010 c 79 s 2
;
1981 c 293 s 10
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 17
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1981 c 293:
See note following RCW 58.17.010
.
RCW 58.17.180
Review of decision.
Any decision approving or disapproving any plat shall be reviewable under chapter
36.70C
RCW.
[
1995 c 347 s 717
;
1983 c 121 s 5
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 18
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
Severability
—
Part headings and table of contents not law
—
1995 c 347:
See notes following RCW 36.70A.470
.
RCW 58.17.190
Approval of plat required before filing
—
Procedure when unapproved plat filed.
The county auditor shall refuse to accept any plat for filing until approval of the plat has been given by the appropriate legislative body, or such other agency as authorized by RCW 58.17.100
. Should a plat or dedication be filed without such approval, the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the plat is filed shall apply for a writ of mandate in the name of and on behalf of the legislative body required to approve same, directing the auditor and assessor to remove from their files or records the unapproved plat, or dedication of record.
[
2017 c 161 s 3
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 19
.]
RCW 58.17.195
Approval of plat or short plat
—
Written finding of conformity with applicable land use controls.
No plat or short plat may be approved unless the city, town, or county makes a formal written finding of fact that the proposed subdivision or proposed short subdivision is in conformity with any applicable zoning ordinance or other land use controls which may exist.
[
1981 c 293 s 14
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1981 c 293:
See note following RCW 58.17.010
.
RCW 58.17.200
Injunctive action to restrain subdivision, sale, transfer of land where final plat not filed.
Whenever any parcel of land is divided into five or more lots, tracts, or parcels of land and any person, firm or corporation or any agent of any of them sells or transfers, or offers or advertises for sale or transfer, any such lot, tract, or parcel without having a final plat of such subdivision filed for record, the prosecuting attorney shall commence an action to restrain and enjoin further subdivisions or sales, or transfers, or offers of sale or transfer and compel compliance with all provisions of this chapter. The costs of such action shall be taxed against the person, firm, corporation or agent selling or transferring the property.
[
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 20
.]
RCW 58.17.205
Agreements to transfer land conditioned on final plat approval
—
Authorized.
If performance of an offer or agreement to sell, lease, or otherwise transfer a lot, tract, or parcel of land following preliminary plat approval is expressly conditioned on the recording of the final plat containing the lot, tract, or parcel under this chapter, the offer or agreement is not subject to RCW 58.17.200
or
58.17.300
and does not violate any provision of this chapter. All payments on account of an offer or agreement conditioned as provided in this section shall be deposited in an escrow or other regulated trust account and no disbursement to sellers shall be permitted until the final plat is recorded.
[
1981 c 293 s 12
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1981 c 293:
See note following RCW 58.17.010
.
RCW 58.17.210
Building, septic tank or other development permits not to be issued for land divided in violation of chapter or regulations
—
Exceptions
—
Damages
—
Rescission by purchaser.
No building permit, septic tank permit, or other development permit, shall be issued for any lot, tract, or parcel of land divided in violation of this chapter or local regulations adopted pursuant thereto unless the authority authorized to issue such permit finds that the public interest will not be adversely affected thereby. The prohibition contained in this section shall not apply to an innocent purchaser for value without actual notice. All purchasers' or transferees' property shall comply with provisions of this chapter and each purchaser or transferee may recover his or her damages from any person, firm, corporation, or agent selling or transferring land in violation of this chapter or local regulations adopted pursuant thereto, including any amount reasonably spent as a result of inability to obtain any development permit and spent to conform to the requirements of this chapter as well as cost of investigation, suit, and reasonable attorneys' fees occasioned thereby. Such purchaser or transferee may as an alternative to conforming his or her property to these requirements, rescind the sale or transfer and recover costs of investigation, suit, and reasonable attorneys' fees occasioned thereby.
[
2010 c 8 s 18005
;
1974 ex.s. c 134 s 10
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 21
.]
RCW 58.17.212
Vacation of subdivision
—
Procedure.
Whenever any person is interested in the vacation of any subdivision or portion thereof, or any area designated or dedicated for public use, that person shall file an application for vacation with the legislative authority of the city, town, or county in which the subdivision is located. The application shall set forth the reasons for vacation and shall contain signatures of all parties having an ownership interest in that portion of the subdivision subject to vacation. If the subdivision is subject to restrictive covenants which were filed at the time of the approval of the subdivision, and the application for vacation would result in the violation of a covenant, the application shall contain an agreement signed by all parties subject to the covenants providing that the parties agree to terminate or alter the relevant covenants to accomplish the purpose of the vacation of the subdivision or portion thereof.
When the vacation application is specifically for a county road or city or town street, the procedures for road vacation or street vacation in chapter
36.87
or
35.79
RCW shall be utilized for the road or street vacation. When the application is for the vacation of the plat together with the roads and/or streets, the procedure for vacation in this section shall be used, but vacations of streets may not be made that are prohibited under *RCW 35.79.030, and vacations of roads may not be made that are prohibited under RCW 36.87.130
.
The legislative authority of the city, town, or county shall give notice as provided in RCW 58.17.080
and
58.17.090
and shall conduct a public hearing on the application for a vacation and may approve or deny the application for vacation of the subdivision after determining the public use and interest to be served by the vacation of the subdivision. If any portion of the land contained in the subdivision was dedicated to the public for public use or benefit, such land, if not deeded to the city, town, or county, shall be deeded to the city, town, or county unless the legislative authority shall set forth findings that the public use would not be served in retaining title to those lands.
Title to the vacated property shall vest with the rightful owner as shown in the county records. If the vacated land is land that was dedicated to the public, for public use other than a road or street, and the legislative authority has found that retaining title to the land is not in the public interest, title thereto shall vest with the person or persons owning the property on each side thereof, as determined by the legislative authority. When the road or street that is to be vacated was contained wholly within the subdivision and is part of the boundary of the subdivision, title to the vacated road or street shall vest with the owner or owners of property contained within the vacated subdivision.
This section shall not be construed as applying to the vacation of any plat of state-granted tide or shore lands [tidelands or shorelands].
[
1987 c 354 s 3
.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note:
After amendment by 1987 c 228 s 1, RCW 35.79.030
no longer prohibited vacations of streets. Limitations on vacations of streets abutting bodies of water are now found in RCW 35.79.035
.
RCW 58.17.215
Alteration of subdivision
—
Procedure.
When any person is interested in the alteration of any subdivision or the altering of any portion thereof, except as provided in RCW 58.17.040
(6), that person shall submit an application to request the alteration to the legislative authority of the city, town, or county where the subdivision is located. The application shall contain the signatures of the majority of those persons having an ownership interest of lots, tracts, parcels, sites, or divisions in the subject subdivision or portion to be altered. If the subdivision is subject to restrictive covenants which were filed at the time of the approval of the subdivision, and the application for alteration would result in the violation of a covenant, the application shall contain an agreement signed by all parties subject to the covenants providing that the parties agree to terminate or alter the relevant covenants to accomplish the purpose of the alteration of the subdivision or portion thereof.
Upon receipt of an application for alteration, the legislative body shall provide notice of the application to all owners of property within the subdivision, and as provided for in RCW 58.17.080
and
58.17.090
. The notice shall either establish a date for a public hearing or provide that a hearing may be requested by a person receiving notice within fourteen days of receipt of the notice.
The legislative body shall determine the public use and interest in the proposed alteration and may deny or approve the application for alteration. If any land within the alteration is part of an assessment district, any outstanding assessments shall be equitably divided and levied against the remaining lots, parcels, or tracts, or be levied equitably on the lots resulting from the alteration. If any land within the alteration contains a dedication to the general use of persons residing within the subdivision, such land may be altered and divided equitably between the adjacent properties.
After approval of the alteration, the legislative body shall order the applicant to produce a revised drawing of the approved alteration of the final plat or short plat, which after signature of the legislative authority, shall be filed with the county auditor to become the lawful plat of the property.
This section shall not be construed as applying to the alteration or replatting of any plat of state-granted tide or shore lands [tidelands or shorelands].
[
1987 c 354 s 4
.]
RCW 58.17.217
Alteration or vacation of subdivision
—
Conduct of hearing.
Any hearing required by RCW 58.17.212, 58.17.215, or
58.17.060
may be administered by a hearings examiner as provided in RCW 58.17.330
.
[
1987 c 354 s 7
.]
RCW 58.17.218
Alteration of subdivision
—
Easements by dedication.
The alteration of a subdivision is subject to RCW 64.04.175
.
[
1991 c 132 s 2
.]
RCW 58.17.220
Violation of court order or injunction
—
Penalty.
Any person who violates any court order or injunction issued pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to a fine of not more than five thousand dollars or imprisonment for not more than ninety days or both.
[
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 22
.]
RCW 58.17.225
Easement over public open space
—
May be exempt from RCW 58.17.215
—
Hearing
—
Notice.
The granting of an easement for ingress and egress or utilities over public property that is held as open space pursuant to a subdivision or plat, where the open space is already used as a utility right-of-way or corridor, where other access is not feasible, and where the granting of the easement will not impair public access or authorize construction of physical barriers of any type, may be authorized and exempted from the requirements of RCW 58.17.215
by the county, city, or town legislative authority following a public hearing with notice to the property owners in the affected plat.
[
1995 c 32 s 1
.]
RCW 58.17.230
Assurance of discontinuance of violations.
In the enforcement of this chapter, the prosecuting attorney may accept an assurance of discontinuance of any act or practice deemed in violation of this chapter from any person engaging in, or who has engaged in such act or practice. Any such assurance shall be in writing and be filed with and subject to the approval of the superior court of the county in which the alleged violation occurs. A violation of such assurance shall constitute prima facie proof of a violation of this chapter.
[
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 23
.]
RCW 58.17.240
Permanent control monuments.
Except for subdivisions excluded under the provisions of RCW 58.17.040, as now or hereafter amended, permanent control monuments shall be established at each and every controlling corner on the boundaries of the parcel of land being subdivided. The local authority shall determine the number and location of permanent control monuments within the plat, if any.
[
1974 ex.s. c 134 s 11
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 24
.]
RCW 58.17.250
Survey of subdivision and preparation of plat.
The survey of the proposed subdivision and preparation of the plat shall be made by or under the supervision of a registered land surveyor who shall certify on the plat that it is a true and correct representation of the lands actually surveyed.
[
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 26
.]
RCW 58.17.255
Survey discrepancy
—
Disclosure.
Whenever a survey of a proposed subdivision or short subdivision reveals a discrepancy, the discrepancy shall be noted on the face of the final plat or short plat. Any discrepancy shall be disclosed in a title report prepared by a title insurer and issued after the filing of the final plat or short plat. As used in this section, "discrepancy" means: (1) A boundary hiatus; (2) an overlapping boundary; or (3) a physical appurtenance, which indicates encroachment, lines of possession, or conflict of title.
[
1987 c 354 s 6
.]
RCW 58.17.260
Joint committee
—
Members
—
Recommendations for surveys, monumentation and plat drawings.
In order that there be a degree of uniformity of survey monumentation throughout the cities, towns and counties of the state of Washington, there is hereby created a joint committee composed of six members to be appointed as follows: The Washington state association of counties shall appoint two county road engineers; the association of Washington cities shall appoint two city engineers; the land surveyors association of Washington shall appoint one member; and the consulting engineers association of Washington shall appoint one member. The joint committee is directed to cooperate with the department of natural resources to establish recommendations pertaining to requirements of survey, monumentation and plat drawings for subdivisions and dedications throughout the state of Washington. The department of natural resources shall publish such recommendation.
[
1971 ex.s. c 85 s 9
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 27
.]
RCW 58.17.275
Proposals to adopt, amend, or repeal local ordinances
—
Advance notice.
All cities, towns, and counties shall establish procedures to provide reasonable advance notice of proposals to adopt, amend, or repeal local ordinances adopted in accordance with this chapter. These procedures shall include but not be limited to advance notice to individuals or organizations which have submitted requests for notice. Reasonable fees may be charged to defray the costs of providing notice.
[
1981 c 293 s 13
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1981 c 293:
See note following RCW 58.17.010
.
RCW 58.17.280
Naming and numbering of short subdivisions, subdivisions, streets, lots and blocks.
Any city, town or county shall, by ordinance, regulate the procedure whereby short subdivisions, subdivisions, streets, lots and blocks are named and numbered. A lot numbering system and a house address system, however, shall be provided by the municipality for short subdivisions and subdivisions and must be clearly shown on the short plat or final plat at the time of approval.
[
1993 c 486 s 1
;
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 29
.]
RCW 58.17.290
Copy of plat as evidence.
A copy of any plat recorded in the manner provided in this chapter and certified by the county auditor of the county in which the same is recorded to be a true copy of such record and the whole thereof, shall be received in evidence in all the courts of this state, with like effect as the original.
[
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 31
.]
RCW 58.17.300
Violations
—
Penalties.
Any person, firm, corporation, or association or any agent of any person, firm, corporation, or association who violates any provision of this chapter or any local regulations adopted pursuant thereto relating to the sale, offer for sale, lease, or transfer of any lot, tract or parcel of land, shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor and each sale, offer for sale, lease or transfer of each separate lot, tract, or parcel of land in violation of any provision of this chapter or any local regulation adopted pursuant thereto, shall be deemed a separate and distinct offense.
[
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 32
.]
RCW 58.17.310
Application for approval of plat within irrigation district
—
Approval without provision for irrigation prohibited.
(1) Whenever a city, town, or county receives an application for the approval of a plat of a subdivision that lies in whole or in part in an irrigation district organized pursuant to chapter
87.03
RCW, the responsible administrator shall give written notice of the application, including a legal description of the short subdivision and a location map, to the irrigation district. The irrigation district shall, after receiving the notice, submit to the responsible administrator who furnished the notice a statement with any information or conditions for approval that the irrigation district deems to be necessary regarding the proposed division's effect upon the structural integrity, including lateral support, of the irrigation district facilities, other risk exposures, and the safety of the public and irrigation district.
(2) In addition to any other requirements imposed by the provisions of this chapter, the legislative authority of any city, town, or county shall not approve a short plat or final plat, as defined in RCW 58.17.020, for any subdivision, short subdivision, lot, tract, parcel, or site which lies in whole or in part in an irrigation district organized pursuant to chapter
87.03
RCW unless there has been provided an irrigation water right-of-way for each parcel of land in such district. In addition, if the subdivision, short subdivision, lot, tract, parcel, or site lies within land within the district classified as irrigable, completed irrigation water distribution facilities for such land may be required by the irrigation district by resolution, bylaw, or rule of general applicability as a condition for approval of the short plat or final plat by the legislative authority of the city, town, or county. Rights-of-way shall be evidenced by the respective plats submitted for final approval to the appropriate legislative authority. In addition, if the subdivision, short subdivision, lot, tract, parcel, or site to be platted is wholly or partially within an irrigation district of two hundred thousand acres or more and has been previously platted by the United States bureau of reclamation as a farm unit in the district, the legislative authority shall not approve for such land a short plat or final plat as defined in RCW 58.17.020
without the approval of the irrigation district and the administrator or manager of the project of the bureau of reclamation, or its successor agency, within which that district lies. Compliance with the requirements of this section together with all other applicable provisions of this chapter shall be a prerequisite, within the expressed purpose of this chapter, to any sale, lease, or development of land in this state.
[
2009 c 145 s 1
;
1990 c 194 s 1
;
1986 c 39 s 1
;
1985 c 160 s 1
;
1973 c 150 s 2
.]
RCW 58.17.320
Compliance with chapter and local regulations
—
Enforcement.
Whenever land within a subdivision granted final approval is used in a manner or for a purpose which violates any provision of this chapter, any provision of the local subdivision regulations, or any term or condition of plat approval prescribed for the plat by the local government, then the prosecuting attorney, or the attorney general if the prosecuting attorney shall fail to act, may commence an action to restrain and enjoin such use and compel compliance with the provisions of this chapter or the local regulations, or with such terms or conditions. The costs of such action may be taxed against the violator.
[
1974 ex.s. c 134 s 13
.]
RCW 58.17.330
Hearing examiner system
—
Adoption authorized
—
Procedures
—
Decisions.
(1) As an alternative to those provisions of this chapter requiring a planning commission to hear and issue recommendations for plat approval, the county or city legislative body may adopt a hearing examiner system and shall specify by ordinance the legal effect of the decisions made by the examiner. The legal effect of such decisions shall include one of the following:
(a) The decision may be given the effect of a recommendation to the legislative body;
(b) The decision may be given the effect of an administrative decision appealable within a specified time limit to the legislative body; or
(c) The decision may be given the effect of a final decision of the legislative body.
The legislative authority shall prescribe procedures to be followed by a hearing examiner.
(2) Each final decision of a hearing examiner shall be in writing and shall include findings and conclusions, based on the record, to support the decision. Each final decision of a hearing examiner, unless a longer period is mutually agreed to by the applicant and the hearing examiner, shall be rendered within ten working days following conclusion of all testimony and hearings.
[
1995 c 347 s 429
;
1994 c 257 s 6
;
1977 ex.s. c 213 s 4
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
Severability
—
Part headings and table of contents not law
—
1995 c 347:
See notes following RCW 36.70A.470
.
Severability
—
1994 c 257:
See note following RCW 36.70A.270
.
Severability
—
1977 ex.s. c 213:
See note following RCW 35.63.130
.
RCW 58.17.900
Validation of existing ordinances and resolutions.
All ordinances and resolutions enacted at a time prior to the passage of this chapter by the legislative bodies of cities, towns, and counties and which are in substantial compliance with the provisions of this chapter, shall be construed as valid and may be further amended to include new provisions and standards as are authorized in general law.
[
1969 ex.s. c 271 s 33
.]
RCW 58.17.920
Effective date and application of 1974 ex.s. c 134.
(1) The provisions of *this 1974 amendatory act shall become effective July 1, 1974.
(2) The provisions of *this 1974 amendatory act shall not apply to any plat which has been granted preliminary approval prior to July 1, 1974, but shall apply to any proposed plat granted preliminary approval on or after July 1, 1974.
[
1974 ex.s. c 134 s 14
.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note:
For codification of "this 1974 amendatory act" [1974 ex.s. c 134], see Codification Tables.