This webpage explains the provisions of the Interlocal Agreement between King County and Kirkland related to processing building and land use permits that is expected to be in effect by June 1, 2011. It also provides other information that might be useful for developers or property owners in the annexation area.

Effective date of annexation: June 1, 2011.

Vesting—A permit is vested if it is determined to be a complete application according to the regulations of the jurisdiction where the application is filed. The permit is reviewed according to the regulations of that jurisdiction.

How will permits filed with the City prior to annexation be handled?

The City will consider accepting new single family and larger building and all land use permit applications using City regulations prior to annexation. In most cases, the application must have a pre-submittal meeting and the applicant must sign an agreement that the permit will not be issued until after annexation.

How will building and grading permits filed with King County prior to annexation be handled?

If a vested building or grading permit has been reviewed and issued by the County, then the County will perform all inspections even after June 1, except as noted below: (ILA 1.3)

• Revisions to these permits will be reviewed by the County until a Certificate of Occupancy or final approval has been issued. However, if after the effective date a revision is deemed to be significant, then a new application to the City will be required. (ILA 1.8)
• For a permit issued by the County where no inspection requests have been filed, the City will have the option to have the permit transferred to the City and assume responsibility for all of the inspections. (ILA 1.9)
• The City will issue and inspect all ancillary permits (plumbing, mechanical, electrical, etc.) issued after May 31, 2011.

If a vested building permit has been reviewed but not issued by the County by June 1, the County will complete the review and transfer it for issuance by the City. The City will perform all inspections on this permit. (ILA 1.4)

How will land use permits filed with King County prior to annexation be handled?

If a land use permit is vested in the County, the County will continue to review the permit even after June 1. (ILA 2.1)

• If the permit does not require a public hearing, the County will make a recommendation to the City Planning Director or his designee. (ILA 2.2)
• If the permit requires a public hearing and the hearing is held prior to annexation, the County will forward the recommendation to the City for final action by the City Council. (ILA 2.4.A)
• If the permit requires a public hearing and the public hearing has not been held prior to annexation, the hearing will be held by the City Hearing Examiner with final decision either by the Examiner or the City Council depending on the permit. (ILA 2.4.B)

If a vested subdivision, short plat and binding site plan application has preliminary approval by the County prior to annexation, the County will continue review of related documents submitted prior to annexation (i.e. engineering plans, final plat, short plat or binding site plan documents, or construction inspections), but once the review is complete the documents will be transferred to the City for a final decision. (ILA 2.5)

Applications for any rezone and associated permits will be transferred to the City for processing. (ILA 2.3)

State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Compliance

The City will serve as the SEPA lead agency for all annexation area building permit and land use applications for which SEPA review has not been completed prior to annexation, including those applications that continue to be processed by the County after annexation. (ILA 4.1)

What happens after annexation?

New building and land use permit applications submitted after annexation will be reviewed by the City using the City’s regulations.

For additional questions please e-mail askdevelopmentservices@kirklandwa.gov.