Land Use
CWLS is an innovator and leader in Land Use in the greater Seattle Area. Our land use team at CWLS has proudly led the industry in project submittals and approvals in the City of Seattle since the 1990s. We have developed an outstanding working relationship with city reviewers, who recognize our familiarity with the city’s land use and development regulations, and which results in the successful and timely completion of our clients’ projects. Our staff provides full project support, including the application preparation, scheduling, submittal, coordinating, and follow -up with city reviewers for all our development projects.
Subdivision
A subdivision is the division of property into 10 or more lots. The process requires the preparation of a comprehensive boundary/ topographic survey, design of the lot configurations, preparation and submittal of all application documents, coordination with the project team (engineers, architects, City reviewers, etc.), project support at public hearings, timely response to corrections and changes, and follow through to final plat recording. The completion of a subdivision can be a 2-3-year process, so we recognize our duty to expedite subdivisions on behalf of our clients.
Short Plats/Short Subdivision
A short plat is the division of land into nine or less urban or four or less rural lots, tracts, parcels, sites or divisions for the purpose of sale, lease or transfer of ownership. A short plat/short subdivision creates additional tax parcels and is generally completed for development opportunities. Many factors need to be considered when creating a short plat. Zoning, environmental concerns, ingress/egress and access to utilities are all considerations. CWLS has the expertise to guide you through the process successfully.
Unit Lot Subdivision (ULS)
A unit lot subdivision is the division of a parent lot (the initial lot from which unit lots are subdivided) into 9 or fewer unit lots (one of the individual divisions created from the subdivision of a parent lot). Sites developed or proposed to be developed with single family, townhouses, rowhouses, and cottage housing may be subdivided into individual unit lots to allow the separate ownership of each residential unit, as permitted in the applicable zones. CWLS completes hundreds of unit lot subdivisions annually, working closely with our clients and City reviewers to ensure expeditious project completion.
Boundary Line Adjustment (BLA or LBA)
A boundary line adjustment allows a property owner(s) of adjacent tax parcels to make changes to existing property lines. The boundary line adjustment does not create new parcels or lots but changes the size and dimensions of existing lots. The resulting parcels of a boundary line adjustment must adhere to zoning requirements and conform to city code. CWLS have the experience and expertise to create boundary adjustments that meet these requirements and allows for further development of the newly adjusted lots. Often a builder or developer will pursue an BLA as a precursor to a ULS or short plat.
Condo Survey
A Condo survey is required to create condominium units within proposed or existing buildings that can be sold, leased, or rented under separate ownership. A comprehensive survey of the building and all interior spaces is required for the preparation of the Condominium plans. We also work in coordination with the architect and attorney to assist with the preparation of the Condominium Declaration which is a required component to the completion and recording of a Condominium project.
Detached Auxiliary Dwelling Unit (DADU)
Commonly known as a backyard cottage, recent changes in city land use codes more generously allows for the development of DADU’s on single family zoned properties. Many homeowners and developers are rushing to take advantage of the change and we have seen a surge in the request for surveying services to assist with their design and development. CWLS has the experience and expertise to assist with the necessary surveying and subsequent construction of these auxiliary dwelling units.
Resources
King County regarding short plats/subdivisions
Seattle Detached Accessory Dwelling Units
Seattle Land Use Application Fee Requirements