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POTENTIAL PROCESSING FEE DETAIL:
Critical areas review fees cover review of a project's impact on streams or rivers, shorelines, wetlands, steep slopes or known erosion hazards. Definitions for all critical areas are described in the King County Code. For general information about critical areas, please visit Parcel Viewer / iMAP (for general maps of potential critical areas) or DDES Customer Information Bulletin 21, Critical Areas Review (includes frequently asked questions).
Initial Site Visit: The site visit determines whether regulated critical areas are present on a parcel and establishes fee estimates for completing the critical areas review (see below).
- Residential Review Options: Residential applicants may choose between three options for critical areas review and associated fees.
- Department as Consultant - The Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) to conduct the wetland delineation and/or stream classification. A cost estimate for this work is provided and includes flagging of the wetland boundary, report preparation, and permit review associated with wetland issues. It will be the applicant's responsibility to provide accurate site plans showing the wetlands, as flagged by DDES. DDES will confirm project compliance with code and approve with permit conditions.
Preferred Consultant - By using a preferred consultant with a proven track record of accurate submittals, DDES will commit to a fixed fee for the critical area review. By selecting this option, a preferred wetland consultant will delineate the wetland boundary per King County standards, and submit a wetland report and site plan showing the wetland. DDES will review the submittal and determine compliance with code, coordinate with the applicant and consultant, and approve with permit conditions.
Other Consultants - Hire a wetland consultant of your choice, not on the preferred list, and pay hourly for review time. The amount of review time required varies based on a number of factors. Applicants who experienced costs at the lower end of the range kept costs down by doing the following:
- Providing technically accurate, complete information on the initial submittal;
- Making revisions to comply with Critical Areas Code in a timely fashion;
- Using consultants who are familiar with King County Code requirements.
DDES staff will review submittals, determine project compliance with code, and approve with permit conditions.
ESTIMATED CRITICAL AREAS REVIEW FEES: |