This section sets forth the proposed actions which are exempt from SEPA threshold determination and EIS requirements. Certain exemptions apply only to certain state agencies. In addition, the City has the authority to adopt certain flexible thresholds for proposals. This section describes those thresholds. It also incorporates the following sections of the Washington Administrative Code by reference:
WAC 197-11-800
Categorical exemptions.
WAC 197-11-810
Exemptions and non-exemptions applicable to specific state agencies.
WAC 197-11-820
Department of licensing.
WAC 197-11-825
Department of labor and industries.
WAC 197-11-830
Department of natural resources.
WAC 197-11-835
Department of fisheries.
WAC 197-11-840
Department of game.
WAC 197-11-845
Department of social and health services.
WAC 197-11-850
Department of agriculture.
WAC 197-11-855
Department of ecology.
WAC 197-11-860
Department of transportation.
WAC 197-11-865
Utilities and transportation commission.
WAC 197-11-870
Department of commerce and economic development.
WAC 197-11-875
Other agencies.
WAC 197-11-890
Petitioning DOE to change exemptions.
(Ord. 27995 Ex. J, 2011-06-14; Ord. 28088 Ex. C, 2012-09-25)
(Categorical exemptions. Ord. 23262 § 8, 1984-09-25; Ord. 25856 § 2, 1996-01-27; repealed and relocated to § 13.12.410 by Ord. 28011 Ex. A, 2011-08-23)
The City of Tacoma establishes the following exempt levels for minor new construction as allowed under WAC 197-11-800(1)(c), and RCW 43.21C.410 except when the action is undertaken wholly or partly on lands covered by water and the action requires a development permit under Chapter 13.11 of this title.
A. 
The construction or location of any residential structure of twenty or fewer dwelling units. In the Urban Residential (UR) Districts, the construction or location of any residential structure of forty or fewer dwelling units, provided, developments of more than twenty units must demonstrate that soil testing per Department of Ecology and/or Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department requirements has been completed and appropriate mitigation is incorporated into the development;
B. 
The construction of a barn, loafing shed, farm equipment storage building, produce storage or packing structure, or similar agricultural structure, covering 30,000 square feet or less, and to be used only by the property owner or their agent in the conduct of farming the property. This exemption shall not apply to feed lots;
C. 
The construction of an office, school, commercial, recreational, service, or storage building with 12,000 square feet or less of gross floor area, and with associated parking facilities designed for no more than 40 automobiles;
D. 
The demolition of an office, school, commercial, recreational, service, or storage building with 12,000 square feet or less of gross floor area;
E. 
The construction of a parking lot designed for no more than 40 automobiles;
F. 
Any landfill or excavation of 500 cubic yards or less throughout the total lifetime of the fill or excavation; and any fill or excavation classified as a class I, II, or III forest practice under RCW 76.09.050 or regulations thereunder.
G. 
The construction of an individual battery charging station or an individual battery exchange station, that is otherwise categorically exempt shall continue to be categorically exempt even if part of a larger proposal that includes other battery charging stations, other battery exchange stations, or other related utility networks.
(Ord. 28088 Ex. C, 2012-09-25; Ord. 27995 Ex. J, 2011-06-14; Ord. 28986 Ex. D, 2024-11-19)
(Environmental checklist. Ord. 23262 § 8, 1984-09-25; repealed and relocated to § 13.12.420 by Ord. 28011 Ex. A, 2011-08-23)
Actions which must be undertaken immediately, or within a time too short to allow full compliance with this chapter, to avoid an imminent threat to public health and safety, to prevent an imminent danger to public or private property, or to prevent an imminent threat of serious environmental degradation, shall be exempt from the procedural requirements of this chapter. The responsible official shall determine on a case-by-case basis emergency actions which satisfy the general requirements of this section.
(Ord. 27995 Ex. J, 2011-06-14)
(Determination of nonsignificance (DNS). Ord. 23262 § 8, 1984-09-25; Ord. 25856 § 3, 1996-01-27; Ord. 27296 § 37, 2004-11-16; repealed and relocated to § 13.12.430 by Ord. 28011 Ex. A, 2011-08-23)
(Mitigated DNS. Ord. 23262 § 8, 1984-09-25; Ord. 25856 § 4, 1996-01-27; repealed and relocated to § 13.12.440 by Ord. 28011 Ex. A, 2011-08-23)
(Optional DNS process. Ord. 27296 § 38, 2004-11-16; repealed and relocated to § 13.12.450 by Ord. 28011 Ex. A, 2011-08-23)