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CITY OF RENTON Ι PERMIT SERVICES
EXEMPTION FROM CRITICAL AREAS REGULATIONS
SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
SPECIFIC CODE SECTION (S) RELATED TO THIS DOCUMENT
RMC 4-3-050 Critical Areas Regulations
RMC 4-8 Permits—General and Appeals
PURPOSE
To allow certain activities to intrude into a critical area or required buffer subject to the City providing a letter of
exemption of any listed conditions or requirements.
APPLICATION SCREENING
A Pre-Submittal screening may be required prior to formal Land Use Review. The screening will be performed
electronically via an FTP link that your Project Manager will provide to you. After you upload your submittal documents
the Project Manager will review the submittal materials to ensure that requested revisions or missing items have been
updated and/or corrected. If all required submittal items are provided and complete, unless waived by the Project
Manager, staff will take in the application for official review.
ELECTRONIC FILE STANDARDS
All documents MUST be submitted electronically. Specific file naming conventions for submitted plans are required to
facilitate the electronic plan review process. Failure to adhere to the sample file naming format listed in the Electronic
File Standards may result in a request for resubmittal and/or delay the plan review process, deeming the application
incomplete.
COMPLETE APPLICATION REQUIRED
In order to accept your application, each of the numbered items must be submitted at the same time. Determination
that an application is complete indicates only that the application is ready for review on its merits, not that the City will
make a favorable decision on the application.
APPLICATION SUBMITTAL HOURS
Applications should be submitted to Planning Division staff electronically, not in person. Please email or call your
assigned Project Manager to submit your application. If you have any Planning related questions you may reach out to
Planning Customer Service at 425-430-7294 or planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov .
ADDITIONAL PERMITS
Additional permits from other agencies may be required. It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain these other
approvals. Information regarding these other requirements may be found at https://apps.oria.wa.gov/opas
TIME FRAME
The Administrator will review your request for modification and issue a written decision typically within a week or two
from submittal. A public hearing is not required unless there is an appeal filed.
APPLICATION AGREEMENT STATEMENT (WIRELESS ONLY)
A signed notarized statement indicating that: a) The applicant agrees to allow for the potential collocation of a dditional
wireless communication facility equipment by other providers on the applicant’s structure or within the same site
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CRITICAL AREAS EXEMPTION
location; and b) That the applicant agrees to remove the facility within six (6) months after that site’s use is
discontinued or if the facility falls into disrepair, and restore the site to its pre -existing condition. If there are two (2) or
more users of a single wireless communication facility (WCF), then this provision shall not become effective until all
users cease using the WCF.
SOME KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER
1. City Staff or other agencies may request additional information during the review and decision-making process.
2. It is important that the applicant submit the requested material quickly to avoid delays in the process.
3. Any time spent gathering data and/or additional city review period will increase the time required to process the
application.
SUBMITTAL CHECKLIST
The submittal checklist is not an exhaustive list of submittal requirements and may be modified in cases where
additional information is required to complete the review of an application. The applicant should contact the assigned
Development Engineer if there are any questions regarding submittal requirements.
1. Waiver Form: A Waiver Form will be provided to you by City Staff during the Pre-Submittal Review. The Waiver
Form should be submitted with the land use application.
2. Land Use Permit Master Application Form: The standardized application form used for the majority of land use
permit applications including, but not limited to, the following:
a. Owner, applicant, and contact person names, addresses and telephone numbers;
b. Notarized signatures of all current property owners;
c. Name of the proposed project;
d. Project/property address;
e. King County Assessor’s tax account number;
f. Existing and proposed land uses;
g. Existing and, if applicable, proposed Comprehensive Plan map designation;
h. Existing and, if applicable, proposed zoning designation;
i. Site area;
k. Estimated project cost
l. Whether or no the project site contains any environmentally sensitive areas; and
m. Property legal description.
Note: The application must have notarized signatures of ALL current property owners listed on the Title Report.
If the property owner is a corporation, the authorized representative must attach proof of signing authority on
behalf of the corporation. The legal description of the property must be attached to the application form.
3. Fees: The application must be accompanied by the required application fee (see Fee Schedule). Please call 425-
430-7294 to verify the exact amount required. Checks should be made out to the City of Renton and cannot be
accepted for over the total fee amount. Credit cards may also be used to pay required application fees. Fees are
paid at Cashier on the 1st Floor City Hall.
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CRITICAL AREAS EXEMPTION
4. Critical Areas Exemption Form (attached): If the project consists of one of the listed activities eligible for SEPA
exemption.
5. Neighborhood Detail Map: Please provide a map drawn at a scale of 1" = 100' or 1" = 200' (or other scale ap-
proved by the Planning Division) to be used to identify the site location on public notices and to review compatibil -
ity with surrounding land uses. The map shall identify the subject site with a much darker perimeter line than sur-
rounding properties and include at least two cross streets in all directions showing the location of the subject site
relative to property boundaries of surrounding parcels. The map shall also show: the property's lot lines, lot lines of
surrounding properties, boundaries of the City of Renton (if applicable), north arrow (oriented to the top of the
plan sheet), graphic scale used for the map, and City of Renton (not King County) street names for all streets
shown. Please ensure all information fits on a single map sheet.
6. Site Plan: Please provide a fully-dimensioned plan sheet drawn at a scale of 1"=20' (or other scale approved by
the Planning Division). We prefer the site plan be drawn on one sheet of paper unless the size of the site requires
several plan sheets to be used. If you are using more than a single plan sheet, please indicate connecting points on
each sheet. The Site Plan should show the following:
a. Name of proposed project
b. Date, scale, and north arrow (oriented to the top of the paper/plan sheet)
c. Drawing of the subject property with all property lines dimensioned and names of adjacent streets
d. Widths of all adjacent streets and alleys
e. Location of all existing public improvements including, but not limited to, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, median
islands, street trees, fire hydrants, utility poles, etc., along the full property frontage
f. Location and dimensions of existing and proposed:
• Structures
• parking, off-street loading space, curb cuts and aisle ways
• fencing and retaining walls
• free-standing signs and lighting fixtures
• refuse and recycling areas
• utility junction boxes and public utility transformers
• storage areas and job shacks/sales trailers/model homes
g. Setbacks of all proposed buildings from property lines
h. Location and dimensions of all easements referenced in the title report with the recording number and
type of easement (e.g. access, sewer, etc.) indicated
i. Location and dimensions of natural features such as streams, lakes, required buffer areas, open spaces, and
wetlands
j. Ordinary high water mark and distance to closest area of work for any project located within 200-feet from
a lake or stream.
7. Topography Map: Please provide a plan showing the site’s existing contour lines at five-foot vertical intervals
and planimetric features extending ten feet beyond the property boundaries.
8. Tree Retention/Land Clearing (Tree Inventory) Plan: Please provide a fully dimensioned plan drawn by a
certified arborist or a licensed landscape architect if ANY trees or vegetation are to be removed or altered. The plan
shall be based on finished grade, drawn at the same scale as the project site plan with the northern property line at
the top of the paper, and clearly show the following:
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CRITICAL AREAS EXEMPTION
a. All property boundaries and adjacent streets, location and dimensions of rights- of-way, utility lines, fire
hydrants, street lighting, and easements;
b. Location of all areas proposed to be cleared;
c. Location, species, and sizes of trees on or immediately abutting the site. This requirement applies only to
trees with a caliper of at least six inches (6"), or an alder or cottonwood tree with a caliper of at least eight
inches (8"), when measured at fifty-four inches (54") above grade;
d. Clearly identify trees to be retained and to be removed;
e. Future building sites and drip lines of any trees which will overhang/ overlap a construction line. Where the
drip line of a tree overlaps an area where construction activities will occur, this shall be indicated on the
plan; and
f. Show critical areas and buffers.
9. Arborist Report: Please provide an arborist report by a certified Arborist or a licensed Landscape Architect that
correlates with the Tree Retention/ Land Clearing Plan and addresses the following:
a. Identification scheme used for each tree (e.g. tree number)
b. Species and size of each tree (caliper measured at 54 inches above grade)
c. Reason(s) for any tree removal (e.g. poor health, high risk of failure due to structure, defects, unavoidable
isolation (high blow down potential), unsuitability of species, etc.) and for which no reasonable alternative
action is possible (pruning, cabling, etc.)
d. For trees proposed to be retained, a complete description of each tree' s health, condition, and viability
e. For trees proposed to be retained, a description of the method(s)used to determine the limits of
disturbance (e.g., critical root zone, root plate diameter, or a case- by- case basis description for individual
trees)
f. A description of the impact of necessary tree removal to the remaining trees, including those in a grove or
on abutting properties;
g. The suggested location and species of supplemental trees to be used when required. The report shall
include planting and maintenance specifications; and
h. An analysis of retained trees according to Priority of Tree Retention Requirements specified in RMC 4-4-
130H.1.b.
10. Wetland Assessment: Please provide a map and a report if ANY wetlands are located on the subject property
or within 100 feet of the subject property. The wetland report/delineation must be prepared by a qualified
professional and include the information specified in RMC 4-8-120D.23. In addition, if any alteration to the wetland
or buffer is proposed, a wetland mitigation plan is also required. See RMC 4-8-120D.23 for plan content
requirements.
11. Standard Stream or Lake Study: Please provide a report containing the information specified in RMC Section 4-
8-120D.19. In addition, if the project involves an unclassified stream, a supplemental stream or lake study is also
required. If any alteration to a water-body or buffer is proposed a supplemental stream or lake study and
mitigation plan are also required.
12. Flood Hazard Data: Please provide a scaled plan showing the nature, location, dimensions, and elevations of
the area in question; existing or proposed structures, fill, storage of materials, and drainage facilities. Also indicate
the following:
a. Elevation in relation to mean sea level of the lowest floor (including basement) of all structures;
b. Elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any structure has been flood-proofed;
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CRITICAL AREAS EXEMPTION
c. Certification by a registered Professional Engineer or Architect the flood-proofing methods criteria in RMC
4-3-050G.4.c have been met; and
d. Description of the extent to which a watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of proposed
development.
13. Biological Assessment/Critical Areas Study: Please provide if the project is located in a designated floodplain
(RMC 4-8-120D.2).
14. Habitat Data Report: If the project site contains or abuts a critical habitat per RMC 4-3-050F.2.b, please
provide a report containing the information specified in RMC 4-8-120D.8.
15. Geotechnical Report: Please provide a study prepared and stamped by a State of Washington licensed
Professional Engineer including soils and slope stability analysis, boring and test pit logs, and recommendations on
slope setbacks, foundation design, retaining wall design, material selection, and all other pertinent elements.
16. Letter of Understanding Geologic Risk: Please provide a letter from the applicant, or the owner of the site,
stating that he or she understands and accepts the risk of developing in an unstable area and that he or she will
advise, in writing, any prospective purchasers of the site, or any prospective purchasers of structures or portions of
structures on the site, of the unstable potential of the area.
17. Drainage Control Plan: Please provide a plan drawn to scale and stamped by a Washington State licensed
Professional Engineer and complying with the requirements of RMC 4-6-030 and the 2017 City of Renton Surface
Water Design Manual (RSWDM).
18. Drainage Report: Please provide a report complying with the requirements of the City of Renton Drafting
Standards in RMC 4-6-030, and the 2017 King County Surface Water Design Manual as adopted and amended by
the City of Renton. The report (TIR) must be stamped and dated by a civil engineer and shall contain the following:
a. Table of Contents
b. Technical Information Report (TIR) Worksheet
c. Section 1: Project Overview
d. Section 2: Conditions and Requirements Summary
e. Section 3: Offsite Analysis
f. Section 4: Flow Control and Water Quality Facility Analysis and Design
g. Section 5: Conveyance System Analysis and Design
h. Section 6: Special Reports and Studies
i. Section 7: Other Permit
j. Section 8: CSWPPP Analysis and Design
k. Section 9: Bond Quantities, Facility Summaries, and Declaration of Covenant
l. Section 10: Operations and Maintenance Manual.
19. Grading Plan, Detailed: Please provide a 22" x 34" plan drawn by a State of Washington licensed Civil Engineer
at a scale of 1" to 40' (horizontal feet) and 1" to 10' (vertical feet) (or other size plan sheet or scale (approved by
the Planning Division Plan Review Project Manager) clearly indicating the following:
a. Graphic scale and north arrow
b. Dimensions of all property lines, easements, and abutting streets
c. Location and dimension of all on-site structures and the location of any structures within fifteen feet (15’)
of the subject property or which may be affected by the proposed work
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d. Accurate existing and proposed contour lines drawn at five foot (5'), or less, intervals showing existing
ground and details of terrain and area drainage to include surrounding off-site contours within one
hundred feet (100') of the site;
e. Location of natural drainage systems, including perennial and intermittent streams and the presence of
bordering vegetation
f. Setback areas and any areas not to be disturbed, including the location, size and species of all protected
trees on site. Protected trees shall have the approximate drip line shown. The method of tree protection
during grading and construction shall be shown. If grade changes in the vicinity of the protected trees are
necessary, the method of reconciling the drip line with the finished elevation shall be included (see RMC 4-
4-130, Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations)
g. Finished contours drawn at five foot (5') intervals as a result of grading;
h. Proposed drainage channels and related construction with associated underground storm lines sized and
connections shown; and
i. General notes addressing the following (may be listed on the cover sheet):
• Area in square feet of the entire property.
• Area of work in square feet.
• Both the number of tons and cubic yards of soil to be added, removed, or relocated.
• Type and location of fill origin, and destination of any soil to be removed from site.
• Finished floor elevation(s) of all structures, existing and proposed. (Ord. 4835, 3-27-2000; Ord. 5304, 9-
17-2007)
RESOURCES
City of Renton Forms
Electronic File Standards
Note: This handout shall not be used as a substitute for codes and regulations. The Applicant is responsible for
compliance with all codes and regulations, whether or not described in this document.