Help/Assistance

Other sources of help, information, and references:

State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)

(SEPA)
Description/Purpose

The Washington Legislature enacted the State Environmental Policy Act in 1971. Commonly called SEPA, the law helps state and local agencies identify environmental impacts likely to result from projects and decisions such as:

  • Issuing permits for private projects such as an office building, grocery store, or apartment complex.
  • Constructing public facilities like a new school, highway, or water pipeline.
  • Adopting regulations, policies, or plans such as a county or city comprehensive plan, critical area ordinance, or state water quality regulation.

Every day, state and local agencies use SEPA to evaluate proposed decisions. Information learned through the review process can be used to:

  • Change a proposal to reduce likely impacts.
  • Apply conditions to or deny a proposal when adverse environmental impacts are identified.
Triggers and activities which would require this entry

See the Determining if SEPA is required and Categorical Exemptions web pages. See the Links section below.

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

Costs can vary because state and local agencies can decide if and how much they will charge for SEPA review of private projects.

Application Information

There is no application. Project applicants and Lead Agencies can get more information from the SEPA guidance web page. See the Links section below.

Project applicants and Lead Agencies can get more information from the SEPA guidance web page. See the Links section below.

Project applicants and Lead Agencies can get information from the SEPA guidance web page. See the Links section below.

Project applicants and Lead Agencies can get information from the SEPA guidance web page. See the Links section below.

An Administrative appeal process is an option that agencies may choose to offer for SEPA decisions. Judicial appeals related to SEPA compliance is always consolidated with the underlying action. They are filed when at Superior Court when an agency's decision is final and the administrative appeal process is either not available or has been exhausted.

Legal authority
Schematic
View the schematic
Notes / Comments

For additional information on the State Environmental Policy Act, go to https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/SEPA-environmental-review.

Contacts
Department of Ecology
SEPA Unit
Headquarters
PO Box 47703
Olympia WA 98504-7703
Email: SEPAhelp@ecy.wa.gov
Website: https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/SEPA-environmental-review
Telephone: (360) 407-6922

For assistance, please contact SEPAhelp@ecy.wa.gov or (360) 407-6922

* Credential details last updated 5/27/2025
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