Pre-Submittal Conferences

Entrance to Heritage Park

A pre-submittal conference is a meeting between those interested in developing property or applying for a development permit, and the City staff who will ultimately review the development permit. The purpose of the conference is to determine the feasibility of the project, identify potential road blocks, and review information required for a complete application. Applicable policies, codes, and standards will be identified at the conference. In addition, a team leader (primary City contact person) will be introduced at the meeting. 

Schedule A Pre-Submittal Conference 

 

Application

Pre-submittal applications are submitted to the Planning and Building Department. The date, time, and location of the meeting will be scheduled at the time application is made and applicable fees are paid. Documentation that is substantially revised after the original application may require additional review and may be charged additional fees.

 

There are two types of Pre-submittal Conferences designed to assist customers: 

  • Land Use Pre-submittal Conferences, and 
  • Building Pre-submittal Conferences.

 

Minor projects that do not require a Pre-Submittal Conference by Code may be reviewed under the Single-Family Residential (SFR) Pre-Submittal Meeting process.

 

Meeting Dates and Times

Conferences are scheduled a minimum of ten (10) business days in advance.

 

Standard pre-submittal meetings are Tuesday mornings at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., and Thursday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Single-Family Residential (SFR) Pre-Submittal Meetings are normally held at the Development Services Center counter with an assigned representative on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 2:00 p.m.

 

Due to current restrictions, pre-submittal meetings are held by teleconference over Zoom. A conference link will be provided before your scheduled meeting.

 

Documentation

The customer will gain more information about the project and receive more thorough answers based on the level of detail provided in plans and the quality of questions being asked. The City will review and provide feedback on the documentation submitted at the time of original application. Because staff review the proposed project in advance, applicants are discouraged from bringing substantial revisions to the meeting.

The plans required are a vicinity plan and conceptual drawings of the proposed project to include approximate location of all significant trees (at least 6” diameter), existing and proposed contour lines if available (include parking lot, circulation system, and any natural features. For Building permit pre-submittal applications, elevations of all sides of any proposed structure and floor plans should be included. In the Rose Hill Business District, an Exterior Lighting Plan is required. 

It is required that a list of questions/concerns accompany the application. The customer is responsible for taking any notes in the meeting. The customer may submit meeting notes to the City's Team Leader to be reviewed for accuracy. 

City staff members from Building, Fire, Planning, and Public Works normally attend these meetings unless the customer specifies a department's presence is not necessary. Call the main Planning and Building phone line at 425-587-3600 with any questions.

 

 

Vesting:

Projects do not obtain vested rights at the time of the pre-submittal conference or a single-family residential (SFR) pre-submittal meeting. 

 

Zoning Code Required Pre-submittal Meetings

Pre-submittal conferences are required by the Kirkland Zoning Code for most land use permits:

Examples of land use permits are:

• Substantial Development Permits

• Integrated Development Plans

• Master Sign Plans

• Street Vacations

• Temporary Use Permits

• Cottage Housing Projects

• Personal Wireless Service Facilities

• Short Plats

• Variances

• Planned Unit Developments

• Master Plans

• Design Review 

Expedited Permit Review Requests: For Process I or Planning Official Decisions only, per KMC 5.74.090 an applicant may request to have a land use permit application reviewed within an expedited time frame. There is an additional charge if the Planning and Building Department approves the request. Approval is dependent on current staff availability to conduct overtime reviews. Note: The applicant must contact the assigned planner at least one working day prior to submitting a land use permit application.

Please contact the Planning and Building Department if assistance is required to determine whether or not a pre-submittal conference is required for a particular land use permit. Whether required or not, they are always encouraged. 

 

Building Code Recommended Pre-submittal Meetings

The Building Code does not require a Pre-Submittal Conference, however, they are highly recommended for:

• New commercial/multi-family projects

• Significant additions to commercial/multi-family projects

• Complex tenant improvements and restaurants

• Automobile dealerships