Site Plans and Binding Site Plans

Overview

Site plans include general site plan review and binding site plans, which involve a division of property as an alternative to the subdivision process.

General site plan review typically involves physical details that relate to the site and the type of use proposed and addresses such things as landscaping, design, parking location, and other site-specific issues. Site plan review typically applies to commercial and industrial development and multifamily projects of a certain size - not single family residential development. Site plan review may be required before or concurrent with a building permit, a conditional use approval, or other type of land use review process. Some jurisdictions have two levels of site plan review processes for major and minor projects.

A binding site plan is an alternative method of land division authorized in RCW 58.17.035. Binding site plans may only be used for divisions for:

• Industrial or commercial use;
• Lease of mobile homes or travel trailers - typically a mobile home park; and
• Condominiums.

For binding site plans to be used, local governments must adopt procedures for their review and approval. A specific binding site plan provides exact locations and detail for the type of information appropriately addressed as a part of property division, such as infrastructure, certification, and other requirements typical of subdivisions.

Examples of General Site Plan Review Provisions

The following are selected examples of general site plan review provisions.

• Bainbridge Island Municipal Code Sec. 2.16.050 – Site Plan and Design Review
• Federal Way Municipal Code Ch. 19.60 – Site Plan Review - Process II
• Kenmore Municipal Code Ch. 18.105 – Site Plan Review  
• Oak Harbor Municipal Code Ch. 19.48 – Site Plan Review Procedures
• Richland Municipal Code Ch. 23.48 – Site Plan Review
• Walla Walla Municipal Code Ch. 20.46 – Site Plan Review Committee

Examples of Binding Site Plan Code Provisions

These examples apply to binding site plans for one or more of the following: commercial or industrial property, condominiums, and property in mobile home parks.

• Bothell Municipal Code Ch. 15.12 – Binding Site Plans; for commercial and industrial property
• Burien Municipal Code Ch. 17.50 – Residential Condominium Binding Site Plan Review Process
• Federal Way Municipal Code Ch. 18.20 – Binding Site Plans; applicable to condominiums and commercial and industrial property.
• Gig Harbor Municipal Code Ch. 16.11 – Binding Site Plans; applicable to condominiums and commercial and industrial property.
• Puyallup Municipal Code Ch. 19.10 – Binding Site Plan; for commercial and industrial property
• Sedro-Woolley Municipal Code Ch. 16.28 – Binding Site Plan; for commercial and industrial and mobile home park property
• Whatcom County Code:
  • Ch. 21.07 – Preliminary Binding Site Plans
  • Ch. 21.08 – General and Specific Binding Site Plans
• Yakima Municipal Code Ch. 14.35 – Binding Site Plans; for commercial and industrial property