Chapter 17.56
FEES, PERMITS AND ENFORCEMENT

Sections:

17.56.010    Application – Forms.

17.56.020    Application – Refiling.

17.56.030    Records.

17.56.040    Fees established.

17.56.045    Automatic annual increase.

17.56.050    Continued public hearings.

17.56.060    Occupancy certificate.

17.56.070    Enforcement and penalties.

17.56.010 Application – Forms.

The planning commission shall prescribe the form and information required for rezoning applications, binding site plans, planned unit developments. The land use hearing examiner shall prescribe the form and information required for conditional use permits and variance applications and appeals of administrative decisions. No application shall be accepted unless it complies with such requirements and is verified under oath as to the correctness of information given by the applicant. (Ord. 1249 § 4, 2003; Ord. 1146 § 2, 1998)

17.56.020 Application – Refiling.

Upon final action denying an application for a change of zone, variance, or conditional use permit, the city clerk shall not accept further filing of an application for substantially the same property involving substantially the same use within one year from the date of denial. (Ord. 1146 § 2, 1998)

17.56.030 Records.

(1) The city clerk shall cause to be kept a brief minute record of all proceedings of the planning commission, excepting study sessions scheduled as a separate agenda item. Such record, applications, written orders or motions showing the action and the reasons therefor, and evidence of notice and other exhibits shall become a part of the records.

(2) The planning commission and land use hearing examiner shall prescribe record keeping procedures which shall be in sufficient detail to provide for a detailed transcript satisfactory to serve as court evidence. Such record of meetings shall be kept consistent with state record requirements. A file shall be maintained for each conditional use permit or variance application, and the application and any exhibits and correspondence shall become part of the file and the record. Each file shall, after conclusive action, include a brief record of the findings, action and any other information deemed necessary to maintain an adequate historical record. (Ord. 1249 § 4, 2003; Ord. 1146 § 2, 1998)

17.56.040 Fees established.

The following fees shall apply to the respective permits and/or approvals. Additionally, the applicant shall be financially responsible for any and all engineering services and other professional consulting services deemed necessary by the city for complete permit and planning review.

The fees identified in the table below shall be paid upon filing of an application.

Annexations

0 – 20 acres = $250.00

20 + acres = $500.00

Appeal administrative determination of hearing examiner to legislative body

$250.00

Appeal administrative determination on binding site plan review/short plat to legislative body

$250.00

Appeal administrative determination to hearing examiner

$200.00 + hearing examiner fees

Appeal hearing examiner’s determination to legislative body

$250.00

Appeal planning commission’s determination to legislative body

$250.00

Binding site review (based on valuation of all improvements)

$0 – 250,000 = $250.00

$250,000 – 500,000 = $500.00

$500,000 and up = $1,000

Variance

$250.00 + hearing examiner fees

Conditional use

$250.00 + hearing examiner fees

Zoning text amendment

$325.00

Comprehensive plan amendment with rezone

$500.00

Boundary line adjustment application

$100.00 + the filing fee which shall be based on Grays Harbor County’s current fee schedule

Short plat

$500.00 + $25.00 per lot

Long plat preliminary

$700.00 + $25.00 per lot + hearing examiner fees

Long plat final

$500.00 + $25.00 per lot

Resubmittal/extensions – subdivisions

$325.00

Environmental checklist

$150.00

Environmental impact statement

Variable hourly rate

Shoreline substantial development permit

$400.00

Shoreline conditional use

$400.00

Shoreline variance

$400.00

Shoreline text amendment

$250.00

(Ord. 1657 § 1, 2021; Ord. 1605 § 1, 2017; Ord. 1453 § 1, 2009; Ord. 1430 § 1, 2008; Ord. 1285 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1188 § 3, 1999; Ord. 1164 § 1, 1998; Ord. 1146 § 2, 1998)

17.56.045 Automatic annual increase.

The fees outlined in the schedule above shall become valid on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter [January 14, 2003] and shall increase each January 1st in an amount equal to the average cost of living (COLA) increase given to city administrative staff during the previous year. This increase shall not pertain to the hearing examiner fees established elsewhere. Such fees shall be rounded off to the nearest dollar. (Ord. 1285 § 2, 2003)

17.56.050 Continued public hearings.

If, for any reason, testimony on any matter set for public hearing, or being heard, cannot be completed on the date set for such hearing, the person presiding at such public hearing or meeting may, before adjournment or recess of such matters under consideration, publicly announce the time and place to, and at which, said hearing or meeting will be continued and no further notice is required. (Ord. 1146 § 2, 1998)

17.56.060 Occupancy certificate.

(1) To assure compliance with the provisions of this title, a certificate of occupancy shall be obtained from the building inspector before any new building is initially occupied or used, or before any building which has been structurally altered or enlarged is reoccupied or used, or before any change in or addition to the use of a building or premises is made.

(2) If the subject requiring a certificate of occupancy is also required to secure a building permit, such required certificate may constitute a separately identified part of such permit, and shall be approved by the building inspector as conforming before any building permit, business license or other evidence of authority required by law may be issued. Each certificate of occupancy shall be issued only upon application signed by the authorized applicant, and shall contain a correct statement of the use intended to be established and such certificate shall be issued only if the declared use conforms to the provisions of this title. No license or permit in conflict with the provisions of this title shall be issued, and if used, any such license or permit shall be null and void. (Ord. 1146 § 2, 1998)

17.56.070 Enforcement and penalties.

(1) It shall be the duty of the building inspector to enforce all provisions of this title.

(2) Any violation of the provisions of this title or amendments thereto is made a misdemeanor. Each day such violation continues may be considered a separate offense.

(3) Notwithstanding the imposition of any penalties under this section, the city may institute any appropriate action or proceeding to require compliance with or to enjoin violation of the provisions of this title, or any administrative decisions made pursuant to this title. (Ord. 1146 § 2, 1998)