(1) Purpose. RCW 36.70B.070 and 36.70B.080 require time frames be established to ensure applications are reviewed in a timely and predictable manner. Table 4, Notice of Completeness Required, establishes whether a determination of completeness is required by permit category.

(2) Determination of Completeness. Within 28 calendar days after receiving a Type I – V permit application, the city shall mail or personally provide a written determination of completeness to the applicant which states either: (a) that the application is complete and the date that it was complete; or (b) that the application is incomplete and state what additional information is necessary to make the application complete.

(3) Additional Information. A site development permit application is complete for purposes of this section when it meets the submission requirements outlined in SMC 17.80.260, Table 2, Permit Submittals for Type I – V Permit Applications. However, each development is unique, and therefore the director may request additional information, if necessary, or may waive certain items if it is determined they are not necessary to ensure that the project complies with city requirements.

(4) A determination of completeness shall be made when the required submittals are determined to be in a comprehensible format and contain at least the minimum amount of information to allow review of the project to progress even though additional information may be required or project modifications may be undertaken subsequent to initial project review. The city’s determination of completeness shall not preclude the city from requesting additional information or studies either at the time of the determination of completeness or at some later time.

(5) Incomplete Application Procedure. If the applicant received a determination of incompleteness from the city, the applicant shall have 90 calendar days from the date of the determination of incompleteness to submit the necessary information to the city. Within 14 calendar days after an applicant has submitted the requested additional information, the city shall prepare a written determination of completeness as described in the section above, and notify the applicant in the same manner.

(6) If the applicant does not submit the required information within the 90-calendar-day period, the community development director or their designee shall make findings that the application has lapsed for failure to submit the necessary information in a timely manner and close the permit application file. The director may grant one time extension to submit the required information, not to exceed an additional 90 calendar days.

(7) City’s Failure to Provide a Determination of Completeness. If, within 28 calendar days of the date of the submitted application, the city has not provided a written determination of completeness, a Type I – V permit application shall be deemed complete. (Ord. 1499 § 6 (Exh. F), 2021).