Site development permits involve several City workgroups, so your questions may need different staff expertise. Here’s where to start:

• For building, structural, or ADA questions: Review the City’s Construction Permit FAQs or the currently adopted building codes. You can also speak with a plans examiner if you need help understanding structural or accessibility requirements.
• For zoning questions: Look at SMC 20.50 or contact a planner to learn about rules that may apply to your project, such as hardscape limits, tree preservation, and landscaping requirements.
• For engineering questions: If you’re unsure about the City’s code requirements or what needs to be included in your application, submit an Engineering Development Question Form. A development review engineer will follow up and walk you through the requirements.

How to Apply

Apply for this permit online at the City of Shoreline's eTRAKiT permitting portal. Once you are logged into your account, select Apply/New Permit from the left-hand sidebar and select the following permit type from the drop-down menu: Pre-Intake Record (PIN).

Once PIN requests are submitted, the rest of the intake process is facilitated by a permit technician. A permit technician will send further instructions by email to complete the process. 

Required Documents

• Permit Application and Critical Areas Worksheet
• Submittal Fee
  • Please reference the City’s fee schedule for current application fees. 
• Civil Engineering Plans
• Site Plan - shows project locations, property boundaries, setbacks, and key site features. Include information on building and hardscape coverage calculations. 
• Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
  • Refer to Section 21 of the EDM to determine the Surface Water Project Classification for your project and provide a SWPPP as follows: 
    • SWPPP Handout for small impact projects. 
    • SWPPP Short Form for medium impact projects.
    • The Department of Ecology’s SWPPP template for large impact projects.
• Survey
  • Must be prepared, stamped and signed by licensed surveyor.  
• Tree Worksheet

Additional Documents (Possibly Required)

• Arborist Report 
  • If work is proposed within the critical root zone of any trees to remain on the site, then that work must be evaluated by a certified arborist. The arborist must assess the potential impacts of development on the long-term health of trees to be retained. Negative impacts to these trees are not permitted.
  • Any specific tree protection measures recommended by the arborist must be shown and described on your plans.
• Critical Areas Report(s)
  • Required for projects in or near environmentally critical areas, such as steep slopes, streams and wetlands. A Preapplication meeting is required prior to submitting a permit application unless waived by a planner. 
• Declaration of Covenant - Stormwater Facilities
  • Required for any project that proposes on-site stormwater facilities. Refer to Chapter 4.9 of the EDM. The draft form does not need to be notarized or signed.
• Geotechnical or Soils Report
  • Required for projects with fill or excavation of 500 cubic yards or more, when sites contain or are next to slopes that are 15% or steeper, or when using certain storm drainage designs.
  • A geotechnical report or soils evaluation could be a required component of a critical areas report for certain types of environmentally critical areas.
  • Refer to Section 4.6 and Appendix D of the EDM for more information.
• Landscaping Plan
  • Required for developments subject to the City’s tree code, and for developments with landscaping requirements.
  • Tree retention and protection plan must show:
    • Tree retention details, including location, size, species, critical root zone and condition of all existing trees on the property.
    • Identification of trees to be retained, trees to be preserved, and location of planted trees.
    • Graphic representation and written description of proposed tree protection measures and tree and vegetation planting details.
  • New landscaping plans must show:
    • Location, size and spacing of all proposed plantings at maturity.
    • Plant schedule that includes the plants’ common and botanical names and the planting size and quantity to be planted with a certified and registered landscape architect, contractor or nurseryman.
    • Planting details for ground cover, shrubs, trees, and street trees.
• Surface Water Report
  • Required for projects proposing 2,000 square feet or more of new and replaced hard surfaces. The report must follow the guidelines in Appendix C of the EDM.
• SEPA Environmental Checklist
  • Required if the project is not categorically exempt as described in SMC 20.30.560 or WAC 197-11-800.
  • Additional fee for SEPA Environmental Checklist review is required at the time of application, as specified in the City’s fee schedule. 

Additional Permits (Possibly Required)

These are additional permits that may be required to accompany your application depending on your scope of work. 

• Right of Way Use Permit
  • Frontage improvements are required per SMC 20.70.320. Refer to Section 7.7 of the EDM for more information. 
  • Required for sewer work in the right-of-way.
• Construction Stormwater General Permit
  • Through the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE). 
• Industrial Stormwater General Permit
  • Through the DOE.
• Wastewater Permit
  • Additional wastewater permit(s) may be needed for each the following:
    • Cap-off of existing connection.
    • Coring, including work on the main or saddle work.
    • Developer Extension Agreement
    • Industrial discharge or dewatering activities.
    • Side sewer repair or any work within a sewer easement.