Chapter 14.120
APPEALS
Sections:
14.120.020 Appeal of actions of the director(s) to the hearing examiner.
14.120.030 Appeals to the construction board of appeals.
14.120.040 Appeal of a hearing examiner decision (Type 3 permit).
14.120.050 Appeal of city council decisions (Type 4 permit).
14.120.010 Purpose.
These provisions specify procedures for appeal hearings before the hearing examiner and city council on appeals of requirements, decisions or determinations made by the director(s) or hearing examiner. Appeals of decisions or determinations made by city council are appealable to Pierce County superior court. (Ord. 988 § 2, 2003).
14.120.020 Appeal of actions of the director(s) to the hearing examiner.
A. All final actions of the director(s), including Type 1 or Type 2 permit decisions, SEPA threshold determinations, code interpretations (see BLMC 14.10.140), notices of civil violation, and approvals of minor changes to permits (see BLMC 14.10.120) shall be final and conclusive unless the applicant, a department of the city or county, or other party of record or agency with jurisdiction files a written appeal with the planning and community development department within 15 days following:
1. The decision if the decision process does not provide for a comment period or notice of decision; or
2. The notice of decision if the permit process provides for such notice; or
3. The end of the comment period in the case of SEPA threshold determinations.
4. BLMC 14.120.030 shall govern appeals of actions authorized by the building codes, as adopted by Chapter 15.04 BLMC.
5. Appeals shall contain all grounds on which error is assigned to the decision, and shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee in accordance with Chapter 3.68 BLMC; provided, that such appeal fee shall not be charged to a department of the city or to other than the first appellant.
B. The timely filing of an appeal shall delay the effective date of the administrative staff decision until such time as the appeal is decided by the hearing examiner or is withdrawn.
C. Following the timely filing of an appeal, notice of the date, time and place for the hearing examiner’s consideration shall be mailed to the applicant and to all other parties of record. Such notice shall additionally indicate the deadline for submittal of written comments.
D. Testimony before the hearing examiner shall be under oath and the city shall keep a taped or written transcript of the hearing.
E. The hearing examiner’s decision on the appeals shall be final unless appealed to court in accordance with state law. (Ord. 1505 § 11, 2015; Ord. 1322 § 8, 2009; Ord. 988 § 2, 2003).
14.120.030 Appeals to the construction board of appeals.
A. All decisions and interpretations made under the authority of Chapters 15.04, 15.08, and 15.16 BLMC by the director shall be final and conclusive unless the applicant, a department of the city or county, or other party of record or agency with jurisdiction files a written appeal with the department within 15 days from the date that the decision or interpretation was issued by the city.
B. The construction board of appeals as established in the building codes adopted by Chapter 15.04 BLMC shall hear appeals of, and make final interpretations regarding, Chapters 15.04, 15.08 and 15.16 BLMC and other appropriate building codes.
C. The construction board of appeals shall hold a hearing. The applicant and all other parties of record shall receive notice of the hearing in accordance with BLMC 14.50.020 and 14.50.030.
D. In the event the construction board of appeals shall, in its own discretion, determine that certain tests or research would be helpful to the board in deciding the appeal and the issues raised thereby, the appellant will bear the expense and time constraints as established by the board.
E. The construction board of appeals decision shall be final unless appealed under Chapter 36.70C RCW. (Ord. 1643 § 2, 2020; Ord. 1505 § 12, 2015; Ord. 988 § 2, 2003).
14.120.040 Appeal of a hearing examiner decision (Type 3 permit).
Type 3 permit decisions may not be administratively appealed. Judicial review is available pursuant to RCW 36.70C.040. (Ord. 1505 § 13, 2015; Ord. 988 § 2, 2003).
14.120.050 Appeal of city council decisions (Type 4 permit).
Type 4 permit decisions may not be administratively appealed. Judicial review is available pursuant to RCW 36.70C.040. (Ord. 1505 § 14, 2015; Ord. 988 § 2, 2003).