Chapter 19.18 FINAL PLAT PROCEDURES

Chapter 19.18
FINAL PLAT PROCEDURES

Sections:

19.18.030 Final plat survey and improvement plan standards.

19.18.040 Final plat acceptance – Recording.

19.18.010 Final plat procedure.

A. Filing Period – Submission of Plans. At any time within five years following the council’s approval of a preliminary plat, the subdivider shall submit the proposed final plat design along with the complete improvement plans, utilities and other required improvements to be constructed for the proposed subdivision in such number and format requested by the department prepared in accordance with Chapter 19.40, Table of Required Information.

B. Review by Director – Compliance with Preliminary Plat Approval. The director shall review the proposed final plat for conformance to the preliminary plat as approved by the city council and the required information contained in Chapter 19.40, Table of Required Information. The director shall then distribute a copy of the proposed final plat and required improvement plans to the city engineer.

C. Review by City Engineer – Authorization to Construct Improvements. The city engineer shall check the final plat and improvement plans for compliance with Section 19.18.030 and Division VII, Design and Improvement Standards. Upon approval of plans by the city engineer, the director may authorize the developer to construct the required improvements within the five-year period of the preliminary plat approval date. No construction of public improvements may begin without written approval from the director.

D. Completion of Improvements – Surety. As provided in RCW 58.17.130, required improvements not completed prior to approval of the final plat shall be secured to the city by a surety in an amount acceptable to the city. The surety shall equal one hundred fifty percent of the estimated cost of completion as determined by the city engineer. Sureties to guarantee required improvements are as follows:

1. Street improvements including the pavement section, sewer, water, stormwater facilities, and street lights and other public facilities. The developer may complete all required improvements prior to approval of the final plat; provided, that such completed improvements shall be acceptable to the director of public works.

2. Sidewalks. For sidewalk improvements as specified in Section 19.32.020(C), the developer agreement with accompanying surety shall include that the developer will install all remaining sidewalk improvements within three years from the date of final plat approval.

3. Street Trees. For street tree installation as specified in Section 19.32.020(E), the developer agreement with accompanying surety shall include that the developer will install all remaining street trees within three years from the date of final plat approval. (Ord. 2020-51 § 4, 2020; Ord. 2017-45 § 50, 2017: Ord. 2008-24 § 6, 2008: Ord. 98-42 § 1(part), 1998: Ord. 94-11 § 1(part), 1994).

19.18.020 Final plat – Dedications.

No plat shall be approved unless adequate provision is made in the subdivision for the dedication or preservation of natural drainage systems, stormwater facilities, streets, alleys, easements, parks, trees, playgrounds, sites for schools, school grounds and other general purposes as may be required by the SEPA process. (Ord. 2017-45 § 51, 2017: Ord. 98-42 § 1(part), 1998: Ord. 94-11 § 1(part), 1994).

19.18.030 Final plat survey and improvement plan standards.

A. Survey – Certification. The survey of every proposed subdivision, and the preparation of final plats thereof, shall be made by or under the supervision of a registered land surveyor who shall certify on the final plat that it is a true and correct representation of the lands actually surveyed. The surveyors certificate shall include that all required monuments, other than those approved and bonded for setting at a later date, have been set and all lot corners have been staked on the ground as depicted on the plat. (See required certificate statement in Section 19.40.010(36).) All surveys shall conform to standard practices and principles for land surveying, including the 1973 Survey Recording Act.

B. Survey Data and Control Monumentation. (See Chapter 19.40, Table of Required Information.)

C. Permanent Control Monuments – Settings. Permanent control monuments within the streets shall be set after the streets are paved. In the event a final plat is approved before streets are paved, the surety deposited to secure street completion shall include one hundred fifty percent of the cost estimated by the city engineer of setting such monuments.

D. Detailed Construction Plan Standards. Final plans, profiles and specifications for streets, utilities and other required improvements shall be provided to the director in a manner and form acceptable to the city engineer. Improvement plans shall conform to Chapter 19.34, Public Facilities Standard Plans, and shall be made by or under the supervision of a Washington State registered professional engineer who shall stamp and sign all plans, profiles and specifications. (Ord. 98-42 § 1(part), 1998: Ord. 94-11 § 1(part), 1994).

19.18.040 Final plat acceptance – Recording.

A. Review by Director. Prior to approval of the final plat, the director shall make a determination that:

1. The final plat meets all standards established by state law and this code;

2. The proposed final plat bears the certificates and statements of approval required by law (see Section 19.40.010, Table of required information);

3. A title insurance report furnished by the developer confirming that the title of the land in the proposed subdivision is vested in the name of the owners having a title interest and whose signatures appear on the plat’s certificate;

4. The developer has provided any required surety in a form acceptable to the city attorney in an amount commensurate with improvements required to be completed as described in Section 19.18.010(D).

B. Filing for Final Approval. RCW 58.17.140 provides that the city shall act on the final plat within thirty days from the date of filing. For this purpose, the date of filing shall be construed to be the date the director has determined that all requirements of this code have been met.

C. Director Determination. The city council has delegated the approval authority of final plats to the development services director. The director shall determine that the conditions imposed on the approved preliminary plat have been met and that any required surety is adequate to assure completion of the required improvements not already completed.

D. Certification and Recording. If approved, the director shall certify its acceptance by signing a statement to that effect on the face of the plat. The director shall then forward one mylar base or reproducible copy to the city engineer. The applicant is responsible for the recording fee and shall record the final plat with the county auditor. (Ord. 2017-45 § 52, 2017: Ord. 98-42 § 1(part), 1998: Ord. 94-11 § 1(part), 1994).