The purpose of this chapter and Chapters 19.08 and 19.10 SMC is to promote the public health, safety and general welfare through the regulation of the division of land into 10 or more lots, tracts, parcels, sites or subdivisions in accordance with the scope and purpose of this title set forth in SMC § 19.02.010 and to establish regulations and procedures for review and approval of subdivisions or the revision thereof that are in conformance with the comprehensive plan, the critical areas code, the shoreline master program, the concurrency management code, the stormwater utility standards, the flood damage prevention code and other applicable design and development standards.
This chapter is intended to provide high-quality, well-designed neighborhoods that are considerate of the city's natural features. This chapter implements the comprehensive plan land use element by supporting and encouraging new residential development that is compatible with surrounding land uses and the natural environment.
(Ord. 1144-12 § 2 (Exh. A); Ord. 1284-17 § 2 (Exh. B); Ord. 1420-25, 7/24/2025)
Unless excepted by SMC § 19.02.040, every division of land for the purpose of sale, lease or transfer into 10 or more parcels or tracts within the city shall proceed in compliance with Chapters 19.08 and 19.10 SMC except if the land division proposal is applied for and qualifies for review as a large-scale binding site plan under provisions of Chapters 19.18 and 19.20 SMC.
(Ord. 1144-12 § 2 (Exh. A); Ord. 1200-14 § 4; Ord. 1284-17 § 2 (Exh. B); Ord. 1420-25, 7/24/2025)
A. 
Review and approval authority for preliminary subdivision applications is vested in the hearing examiner under Level III review procedures as described in Chapter 19.26 SMC.
B. 
Review and approval authority for final plat subdivision applications is vested in the community development director under Level IV review procedures as described in Chapter 19.28 SMC.
(Ord. 1144-12 § 2 (Exh. A); Ord. 1284-17 § 2 (Exh. B); Ord. 1347-21 § 47; Ord. 1420-25, 7/24/2025)