Spokane Municipal Code

Title 17E Environmental Standards

Chapter 17E.060 Shoreline Regulations

Article IV. Shoreline Permits and Exemptions

1. Purpose.

To ensure that substantial development within the shoreline area is accomplished in a manner that protects the shoreline ecology consistent with the comprehensive plan and the Shoreline Management Act, this section establishes criteria for determining the process and conditions under which a shoreline substantial development permit may be acted upon by the director.

2. A shoreline substantial development permit is subject to the specific review procedure established in chapter 17G.060 SMC, Land Use Application Procedures, and the conditions which may be imposed to assure compliance with all applicable regulations. A request for a shoreline substantial development permit use may be disapproved if the director finds the shoreline development is inconsistent with these shoreline regulations, the comprehensive plan or the Shoreline Management Act.

3. No use, modification, or development, except for those listed in SMC 17E.060.300, Use, Modifications, and Developments Exempt or Excepted from Shoreline Substantial Development Permit Requirement, shall be undertaken in the shoreline jurisdiction without first obtaining a shoreline substantial development permit from the director. Substantial developments include any development with which the total cost or fair market value, whichever is higher, does exceed seven thousand forty seven dollars ($7,047) or the adjusted amount per WAC 173-27-040, or if such development does materially interfere with the normal public use of the water or shorelines of the state. The dollar threshold established in this subsection must be adjusted for inflation by the office of financial management every five years, beginning July 1, 2007, based upon changes in the consumer price index during that time period. The office of financial management must calculate the new dollar threshold and transmit it to the office of the code reviser for publication in the Washington State Register at least one month before the new dollar threshold is to take effect. For the purposes of determining whether or not a permit is required, the total cost or fair market value shall be based on the value of use, modification, or development that is occurring on shorelines of the state as defined in RCW 90.58.030(2)(c). The total cost or fair market value of the development shall include the fair market value of any donated, contributed or found labor, equipment or materials.

4. Where a substantial development is proposed which would be partly within and partly outside of the shoreline jurisdiction, a shoreline substantial development permit shall be required for the entire development.

5. An application for a shoreline substantial development permit for a limited utility extension or for the construction of a bulkhead or other measures to protect a single-family residence and its appurtenant structures from shoreline erosion shall be subject to all of the requirements of these shoreline regulations and shall follow the time period for public comment in SMC 17G.060.130, Public Comment Period. For purposes of this section, a limited utility extension means the extension of a utility service that:

1. 1. is categorically exempt under chapter 43.21C RCW for one or more of the following: Natural gas, electricity, telephone, water, or sewer;

1. 2. will serve an existing use in compliance with these shoreline regulations; and

1. 3. will not extend more than two thousand five hundred linear feet within the shoreline jurisdiction.

Date Passed: Monday, April 19, 2021

Effective Date: Sunday, May 23, 2021

ORD C36034 Section 5