Land Use Review

Not sure if you need Land Use Review? Check our Do I Need Land Use page.

Land Use Process & Timeline

If your project requires land use review, you will go through the steps outlined below. Click each for a more detailed explanation.

Optional but strongly encouraged. At this meeting you will learn about the City's development standards, procedures and everything you need to submit a complete application.

Intake appointments are scheduled for all submittals except boundary line adjustments, lot consolidations, short plats, and staff level design review. Includes materials such as SEPA Checklist, technical reports (critical areas, stormwater, traffic, tree protection, etc.); site, landscape, and preliminary engineering plans; and architectural design concept.

Application completeness will be determined during the intake meeting. If items are missing, the intake meeting will be rescheduled. Once an application is deemed complete, it will be routed to applicable City departments, agencies, recognized neighborhood associations, and parties of record.

The City issues Notice of Application; public comment period begins. Notice may also contain dates of other public meetings such as neighborhood meeting or Design Review Board.

Target: 8 days from complete application

City staff will schedule informational meeting with neighborhood groups.

Target: 15-23 days from complete application

City staff reviews project and provides preliminary review comments to applicant prior to Design Review Board meeting.

Target: 30 days from complete application

Applicant may submit engineering and building permit applications for review if plans reflect review comments.

34 days from complete application

>>Go to Permits & Inspections

Project undergoes concept design review by Design Review Board.

Target: 51-58 days from complete application

Planner finalizes review comments including design direction from Design Review Board.

Target: 63 days from complete application

Applicant provided 6 months to respond to City comments. Revised plans and reports routed to City review team.

City either issues final decision or a recommendation to the Hearing Examiner with SEPA Threshold Determination, if project is subject to SEPA.

Target: 40 days following resubmittal. 120 days from complete application.

The appeal period is approximately 3 weeks from the City's decision or recommendation.

Note: If an appeal hearing is required, the process will add approximately 90 days.

If a public hearing is required, review is extended approximately 60 days.

Land Use Forms & Fees

 

Site Plan Review Committee

The Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC) consists of staff representing Planning, Engineering, Building and the Fire Departments to provide a coordinated review of most land use projects and advises potential land use applicants about City and State land use regulations.

Design Review Board

The Design Review Board was established by City ordinance (OMC Chapter 18.76) to apply design review requirements and guidelines in the review of public and private projects throughout the City and the Olympia urban growth area.

Olympia Hearing Examiner

The Hearing Examiner is appointed by the City Council to conduct quasi-judicial open record public hearings, provide an independent project permit review and issue a final decision of major land use projects consistent with City, State and Federal regulations.

Approved Village Master Planned Developments

The City has adopted detailed plans for specific "Villages" within the City where focused growth is anticipated. These plans include detailed guidance as to the type, shape, size, location, and design of the development allowed within the designated boundaries of the Village. Please use the following documents when considering developing properties within a Village that has an adopted Master Plan.

Need Help?

Contact the Permit Center at 360.753.8314 or CPDinfo@ci.olympia.wa.us

  • Submit a Service Request Online
  • Link to Building Codes
  • Link to EDDS

City Calendar

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City Updates

  • SEA LEVEL RISE COMMUNITY MEETING. Come to the Olympia Center Tuesday, June 27, from 6:30-830 p.m. to learn more about our Sea Level Rise Response Planning. More...
  • PARKING STRATEGY OPEN HOUSE. We are looking at how we can enhance your parking experience. Come to our open house Thursday, July 13, 6:30 p.m., at City Hall to give us feedback and hear what we've learned so far. More...
  • NEWS RELEASE - City AFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE. The City of Olympia is highly disappointed in the decision of the Trump Administration to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord. More...
  • OLYMPIA ONWARD! The first Annual Community Report on the Action Plan is available now. The Report highlights our priorities, shares stories of success, reports on our indicators, and tells the story of our community’s commitment to making our vision for Olympia real. More...
  • DOWNTOWN STRATEGY UPDATE. Olympia's Downtown Strategy was adopted on April 25. View the document now on our Downtown Strategy page.
  • 2017 ADOPTED OPERATING BUDGET. The 2017 Adopted Operating Budget is available for viewing.
  • 2017-2022 ADOPTED CAPITAL FACILITIES PLAN. The 2017-2022 Adopted Capital Facilities Plan is now available to view online. For more information on Olympia’s Budget process or how you can be involved please see our Budget 365 page
  • OLYMPIA MUNICIPAL CODE. Quick link to codes and standards including Olympia Municipal Code.
  • MEETINGS. Agenda and Minutes for City Council and most advisory committees.