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Shoreline Variance Permit

Description/Purpose

To regulate developments in and uses of shoreline water bodies and associated upland areas to protect human health and the natural environment. Each local government has development regulations in its shoreline master program (SMP). Each SMP contains numerical development standards (for example, height limit, setback distance, dock length, etc.). A person may request a variance from those numerical standards for their proposed development.

For more information about the Shoreline Management Act, go to the links below.

Triggers and activities which would require this permit

These are determined by the local government as specified in its SMP.

Explanation/Description of costs/fees, including statutory, regulatory, or other legal authority for fees

The fee is established by each local government. Ecology does not charge a fee.

Application Information

This is established by each local government. The minimum required information is listed in WAC 173-27-180. Contact your local government for an application form.

When making the decision on your permit, Ecology will consider the applicable laws and rules, the contents of your application, and the background environmental conditions.

  • Variance applications are reviewed against criteria in the SMP and state criteria in WAC 173-27-170.
  • Compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) may be required.

The county or city where the proposed project will take place.

This is determined by local government in accordance with RCW 90.58.143. Typically, construction must begin within two years and must conclude within five years of receiving the permit.

Decisions granting, denying, or rescinding a shoreline substantial development permit, or denial of a shoreline conditional use or variance permit, can be appealed. “Date of receipt” is defined in RCW 43.21B.001(2). The appeal process is governed by Chapters 43.21B and 90.58 RCW, and Chapter 461-08 WAC. Get more information on the Shorelines Hearings Board web page.

Legal authority
Schematic
View the schematic
Notes / Comments

The local government (city or county) issues the initial decision on the variance. The local government then sends the permit package to Ecology. Ecology makes the final decision on the variance.

Related Entries
Contacts
Local Government - City or County
Planning Departments
Website: http://mrsc.org/Research-Tools.aspx
Comment: Please contact the appropriate local authority for more information. Contact information may be found at Local Counties.
Adams County Building and Planning Department
425 E Main,
Ste 200
Othello WA 99344
Website: http://www.co.adams.wa.us/departments/building.asp
Telephone: (509) 488-9441
Asotin County Building and Planning Department
P.O. Box 610
Asotin WA 99402
Website: http://www.co.asotin.wa.us/building_home.htm
Telephone: (509) 243-2020
Benton County Planning Department
P.O. Box 910
1002 Dudley Ave.
Prosser WA 99350
Website: http://www.co.benton.wa.us/pview.aspx?id=1369&catid=45
Telephone: (509) 786-5612
Chelan County Community Development Department
316 Washington Street
Suite 301
Wenatchee WA 98801
Website: http://www.co.chelan.wa.us/cd/bl_main.htm
Telephone: (509) 667-6225
Clallam County Land Use and Development Department
223 East Fourth Street,
Port Angeles WA 98362
Website: http://www.clallam.net/LandUse/
Telephone: (360) 417-2420
Clark County Community Development Department
P.O. Box 9810
Vancouver WA 98666-9810
Website: http://www.clark.wa.gov/development/index.asp
Telephone: (360) 397-2375
Columbia County Planning and Building Department
341 E. Main Street
Dayton WA 99328
Website: http://www.columbiaco.com/index.aspx?nid=69
Telephone: (509) 382-4676
Cowlitz County Building and Planning Department
207 4th Avenue North,
Kelso WA 98626
Website: http://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/Index.aspx?NID=138
Telephone: (360) 577-3052
Douglas County Land Services Department
140 19th Street NW
Suite A
East Wenatchee WA 98802
Website: http://www.douglascountywa.net/departments/tls/default.asp
Telephone: (509) 884-7173
Ferry County Planning and Building Department
PO Box 305
Republic WA 99166
Website: http://www.ferry-county.com/Plan_Building.html
Telephone: (509) 775-5225
Franklin County Planning and Building Department
1016 N. 4th Ave.
Pasco WA 99301
Website: http://www.co.franklin.wa.us/planning/
Telephone: (509) 545-3521
Garfield County Planning Department
PO Box 278
Pomeroy WA 99347
Website: http://www.co.garfield.wa.us/land-services
Telephone: (509) 843-1301
Grant County Planning Department
PO Box 37
Ephrata WA 98823
Website: http://www.co.grant.wa.us/Planning/
Telephone: (509) 754-2011
Grays Harbor County Planning and Building Department
100 W. Broadway
Suite 31
Montesano WA 98563
Website: http://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/info/pub_svcs/
Telephone: (360) 249-4222
Island County Planning and Community Development Department
PO Box 5000
Coupeville WA 98239
Website: http://www.islandcounty.net/planning/land_use.htm
Telephone: (360) 679-7339
Jefferson County Community Development
621 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend WA 98368
Website: http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/commdevelopment/default.htm
Telephone: (360) 379-4450
King County Development and Environmental Services
900 Oaksdale Ave. SW
Renton WA 98057-5212
Website: http://www.kingcounty.gov/property/permits.aspx
Telephone: (206) 296-6600
Kitsap County Land Use and Environmental Review Department
614 Division St.
Port Orchard WA 98366
Website: http://www.kitsapgov.com/dcd/lu_env/lu_env.htm
Telephone: (360) 337-5777
Kittitas County Community Development Department
411 N Ruby ST
Suite 2
Ellensburg WA 98926
Website: http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/cds/default.asp
Telephone: (509) 962-7506
Klickitat County Planning Department
228 W Main
MS-CH-17
Goldendale WA 98620
Website: http://www.klickitatcounty.org/Planning/
Telephone: (800) 765-7239
Lewis County Community Development Department
2025 NE Kresky Ave.
Chehalis WA 98532
Website: http://www.lewiscountywa.gov/LC/comdev/Default.aspx?lcID=104
Telephone: (360) 740-1146
Lincoln County Land Services Department
27234 State Route 25 North
Davenport WA 99122
Website: http://www.co.lincoln.wa.us/landservices/default.htm
Telephone: (509) 725-7911
Mason County Community Development Department
PO Box 186
Shelton WA 98584
Website: http://www.co.mason.wa.us/community_dev/index.php
Telephone: (360) 427-9670
Okanogan County Planning and Development Department
123 5th Ave N.
Suite 130
Okanogan WA 98840
Website: http://www.okanogancounty.org/planning/index.html
Telephone: (509) 422-7160
Pacific County Planning Department
P.O. Box 68
1216 W. Robert Bush Drive
South Bend WA 98586
Website: http://www.co.pacific.wa.us/dcd/PLANNING.htm
Telephone: (360) 875-9356
Pend Oreille County Planning Department
PO Box 5066
625 West 4th Street
Newport WA 99156-5066
Website: http://www.pendoreilleco.org/county/planning.asp
Telephone: (509) 447-4821
Pierce County Planning and Land Services Department
2401 S. 35th Street
Tacoma WA 98409
Website: http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/index.aspx?nid=117
Telephone: (253) 798-7210
San Juan County Community Development and Planning
135 Rhone St.
PO Box 947
Friday Harbor WA 98250
Website: http://www.sanjuanco.com/cdp/cdpdhome.aspx
Telephone: (360) 378-2354
Skagit County Planning and Development Services
1800 Continental Place
Mount Vernon WA 98273
Website: http://www.skagitcounty.net/
Telephone: (360) 336-9410
Skamania County Community Development Department
PO Box 790
170 NW Vancouver Avenue
Stevenson WA 98648
Website: http://www.skamaniacounty.org/community-development/
Telephone: (509) 427-3900
Snohomish County Planning and Development Services
3000 Rockefeller Ave.
Everett WA 98201
Website: http://www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/PDS/default.htm
Telephone: (425) 388-3311
Spokane County Building and Planning Department
1026 W. Broadway Avenue
Spokane WA 99260
Website: http://www.spokanecounty.org/bp/default.aspx
Telephone: (509) 477-3675
Stevens County Land Services Department
215 S. Oak Street
Colville WA 99114
Website: http://www.co.stevens.wa.us/landservices/index.php
Telephone: (509) 684-2401
Thurston County Development Services
Thurston Co. Courthouse Bld 1 2nd floor
2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW
Olympia WA 98502
Website: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting/
Telephone: (360) 786-5490
Wahkiakum County Building and Planning Department
PO Box 97
Cathlamet WA 98612
Website: http://www.co.wahkiakum.wa.us/depts/pw/building.htm
Telephone: (360) 795-3067
Walla Walla County Community Development Department
310 West Poplar Street, Suite 200
Walla Walla WA 99362
Email: commdev@co.walla-walla.wa.us
Website: www.co.walla-walla.wa.us/departments/comdev/index.shtml
Telephone: (509) 524-4710
Whatcom County Planning and Development Services
5280 Northwest Drive
Bellingham WA 98226
Website: http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/pds/index.jsp
Telephone: (360) 676-6907
Whitman County Planning Department
310 N. Main Street
Colfax WA 99111
Website: http://www.whitmancounty.org/page.aspx?pn=Planning+Division
Telephone: (509) 397-6206
Yakima County Public Services Department
128 North Second Street
Yakima WA 98901
Website: http://www.yakimacounty.us/publicservices/default.htm
Telephone: (509) 574-2300
Triggering Questions
  • Is the project or activity within 200 feet landward of the ordinary high water mark?
  • Is the project or activity in a water body within city or county boundaries?
  • Will you be doing any development within the 100-year floodplain?
* Credential details last updated 8/14/2023
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