DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION

The Development Application form requests minimum legal information necessary to process your application and is required for each project.  Please complete all of the questions on this form.  All of the information is vital and must be furnished in order to correctly process your application.

The required parcel number and legal description(map #) can be located on your most recent tax statement, Taxsifter on the Assessor's website, or by calling the Assessor's office at (360) 642-9301 or (360) 875-9301.

*If your property is in a current use program (timber, farm, agricultural, or open space) contact the Assessor's office before applying as taxes may be due.

SITE PLAN

A detailed Site Plan must be provided with each application.  This site plan shall be clearly and accurately drawn to scale on paper no larger than 11"x17" and must indicate all existing or proposed buildings, driveway(s), proposed and existing primary and reserve drainfields, well location, standing water, wetlands, and the setbacks on this property.  The Site Plan Example/Checklist will help you in preparing a complete site plan.

If the site plan is revised at any time, you are required to re-submit a site plan for approval prior to starting your project.  A revision fee may apply.

PLANNING APPLICATION

The Planning Application is required to have certain information regarding road access, zoning, setbacks, drainage, and critical areas impacts.  This information is necessary to process your application.

An on-site visit by a Pacific County Planner will be conducted for the following areas of review: Critical Areas & Resource Land Review, Shoreline Review, Zoning Review, and Land Alteration & Drainage. Your property will be reviewed to assess potential environmental impacts and to identify the appropriate permitting process for your particular project. Depending upon the scope of your project and your site’s natural features, your review process may be fairly simple or relatively complex. To help facilitate your application, please complete all the questions on the application form.

Pacific County regulates private access (driveways, roads) onto County roads to ensure safe access is provided without impeding or jeopardizing the motoring public.  If your driveway connects to a county road, we will provide you the minimum construction and safety standards through a road approach permit.  If your driveway connects to a state highway, you will need to contact Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT) for permitting.

BUILDING/MANUFACTURED HOME APPLICATION

Building

• Two sets of detailed building plans drawn to scale no smaller than 1/4".
• Two sets of construction drawings, engineering and structural calculations(if applicable).  Engineering is not required whenever a prescriptive method of construction can be achieved as outlined in the International Residential Code.
• A complete set of drawings include, but are not limited to: foundation plan, floor plan, structural cross sections, and elevations.
• As of July 1, 2007, the State of Washington mandates the use and enforcement of the 2015 International Building and Residential Codes.  Pacific County adopts these codes with the following design criteria:

  • Wind Speed: 130 mph "V" Ultimate
  • Wind Exposure
  • Ground Snow Load: 25 pounds

  • Seismic Design Category: D-2

• Note: Electrical permits are obtained from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries at (360) 575-6900

• Note: Demolition permits are obtained from the Olympic Region Clear Air Agency-ORCAA at (800) 422-5623.

 

Manufactured Homes

Pacific County has an engineered setup guide available, This guide can be used as the actual building plans for installing a manufactured home.

 

Note: Attached structures will require permits from the Department of Community Development and may also require permits from Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (360) 575-6900 (Load-bearing attachments to manufactured homes are not allowed without a permit from L&I).

ON-SITE SEPTIC/WELL APPLICATION

On-Site Septic/Well Application

Three test holes are required to determine whether the site meets the minimum requirements for the installation of an on-site septic system.   The test holes must be located in, or adjacent to, the areas designated as the primary and the reserve drainfield.  In sandy soils, each test hole should be approximately 18" in diameter and at least 3' deep.  In other soils, holes must be 2' wide and 6' deep with a ramp cut into the ground for gaining access into the hole.  The test holes are to be dug by the applicant prior to submitting the application.

The county requires that two sets of on-site septic designs by an On-Site Septic System Designer or Professional Engineer be submitted with your application for an on-site septic permit.

HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION/ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE, ETC.

When applying to develop land within a plat governed by a homeowner's association, architectural committee, etc., i.e.; Surfside Estates, Sunset Sands or Tides West, the site plan and building plans must be approved by such association/committee prior to submitting the application to the Department of Community Development.  Please contact your homeowner's association for additional information.

SURVEY

Due to problems created by development encroaching onto adjoining properties, Pacific County requires the preparation and submittal of a recorded survey for parcels in specific areas.  On September 7, 1993, the Pacific County Commissioners formally adopted Resolution 93-130 designating which subdivisions, neighborhoods, and areas require a recorded survey.

A copy of the recorded survey must be submitted with your development application for the following subdivisions, neighborhoods, or areas:

Exemption to this rule is limited to the following situations:

1. Any interior lot that adjoins lots with previous recorded surveys for which all four corners are set by recorded survey; OR
2. Any square or rectangle shaped lot for which at least two corners are set by recorded survey, AND for which greater than or equal to twice all legal minimum required setbacks are proposed from any unsurveyed property line.  Such setbacks and existence of two or more corners established by survey shall be so noted on the plot plan.

Note: Copies of the recorded surveys for the above 2 exemptions must be submitted along with your development application.

If there is any uncertainty or questions about your property boundaries, the Department of Community Development recommends that a survey prepared by a licensed surveyor be completed.  A survey will help property owners avoid costly mistakes such as placing structures, driveways, fences, and landscaping within property line setbacks or on adjoining properties.

To request a copy of a recorded survey contact Department of Public Works.

DETERMINING MY BUILDING & PLAN CHECK FEES

Click here for help in determining the anticipated cost of your building and plan check fees. <<<<<FEE DETERMINATION>>>>>

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

Once all the necessary applications and forms have been completed, submit your application packet including appropriate fees to the Department of Community Development. If you are mailing your application, please contact our office to determine the appropriate filing fees and the correct mailing address. 

For a complete listing of the different non-refundable fees we charge for our services, please refer to our Fee Schedule.

REVIEW PROCESS

Upon receipt of a completed application and fees, your application will be distributed to the appropriate County departments for review. Depending upon the type of application submitted, this review process may take a minimum of two to eight weeks.

ISSUANCE OF PERMIT

Once the review process has been completed, the Department of Community Development will notify you when your permit is ready.  A permit is not considered to be officially issued (and work may not begin) until you have been contacted by the Department of Community Development, paid all fees, and have received the approved permits.  The permit documents and approved plans shall be on site during all inspections.

All pending permits shall be picked up within 30 days of notification by the Department of Community Development that the permit is ready for issuance.  Failure to pick up the outstanding permit(s) and pay all outstanding fees within the specified timeframe shall result in the forfeiture of all permit documentation and all application fees paid to date on that project.  Any subsequent permitting on the same parcel by the same property owner requires the submittal of new permit application materials, the payment of all new fees at the time of application, including any anticipated building permit fees, plan review fees, design review fees, installation fees, etc. 

 

HELPFUL INFORMATION & SERVICE LINKS

 

• A Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems
• Building Activity Reports
• Complaint Form
• Dune Modification Brochure
• Frequently Asked Questions
• How Do I Determine the Building and Plan Check Fees?
• Olympic Region Clear Air Agency-ORCAA
• Pacific County Contractors List
• Pacific County Ordinances & Resolutions
• Pacific County Zoning Maps
• Qualified Consultant Roster-LADO
• Qualified Critical Area Professionals