A. 
Permit Required. It is unlawful for any person to clear land; cut and/or remove trees; grade, and stockpile material; or to alter, construct, repair, remove, excavate, place, obstruct, damage or disturb any structure, utility, facility or improvement located over, under or upon any property or public right-of-way in the City without first having obtained a permit. It is unlawful for any person to interfere with the free use of any public right-of-way in the City without first having obtained a permit. A separate permit shall be obtained for each separate project. The permits administered under this code are identified in this article.
B. 
Licensed Contractor. All work performed under a permit must be performed by a licensed, bonded contractor. Work on a single-family or duplex lot may be performed by the property owner if approved by the Director.
C. 
Permit Fees. The Department of Community and Economic Development Fee Resolution establishes the fees required by this code.
(Ord. 395 § 3, 2003; Ord. 518 § 1, 2008; Ord. 749 § 19, 2021)
A. 
Permit Required. A site development permit is required for any of the following activities:
1. 
Clearing.
2. 
Grading or stockpiling.
3. 
Constructing or modifying storm drainage facilities or drainage courses.
4. 
Constructing or modifying roadways (including but not limited to sidewalks, curbs, gutters, bike lanes, planter strips, and street lighting).
5. 
Creating or modifying impervious surfaces.
6. 
Any other activity that the Director determines may impact the right-of-way, adjacent properties, and sensitive areas.
B. 
Permit Exemptions. A site development permit shall not be required for the activities listed below. Properties which are contiguous and in common ownership at any time during the year preceding will be considered one tract for the purpose of applying these exemptions. Any work that is exempt from the permitting requirements of this code still must comply with all other applicable provisions of this code and the UPMC.
1. 
Construction, maintenance or repair of public roads or public storm drainage facilities when performed by the City.
2. 
Any grading activity for which a building permit has been issued. Only grading activity that is reasonably connected to, or required to accomplish the work permitted by, the building permit is exempt from a separate permit.
3. 
Any grading activity qualifying for a permit exemption in accordance with UPMC Title 14.
4. 
The import or disturbance of not more than a total of 50 cubic yards of material, for the life of the project except in or near sensitive areas including within 25 feet of a drainage course, pothole, or floodplain and provided adequate measures are taken to prevent off-site erosion or sedimentation.
5. 
Emergency sandbagging, diking, ditching, filling or similar work when done to protect life or property.
6. 
The clearing of any area less than 20,000 square feet. This general exemption is not applicable for clearing within sensitive areas.
7. 
The stockpiling or broadcasting of less than 250 cubic yards of topsoil, peat, sawdust, mulch, bark, chips or solid nutrients on a lot, tract, or parcel of land, per year except in floodplains and except in sensitive areas, provided adequate measures are taken to prevent off-site erosion or sedimentation.
8. 
Any activity that the Director determines will have negligible impact on the right-of-way, sensitive areas, or other properties or persons.
C. 
Permit Application. To obtain a site development permit, the applicant must file a written application on the form furnished by the City for that purpose. Any permit application that does not comply with this section may be ineligible for review. The application shall:
1. 
Identify and describe all work proposed to be covered by the permit.
2. 
Provide the legal description, street address or other description of the site on which the proposed work will be done and specify the location on the site where the proposed work will occur.
3. 
Identify the use for which the work is intended.
4. 
Be accompanied by plans, diagrams, computations and specifications and any other data required by subsection (D) of this section.
5. 
Be signed by the applicant, or the applicant’s authorized agent.
6. 
Provide such other data and information as may reasonably be required by the Director to process the application pursuant to the UPMC.
7. 
Pay the appropriate fees.
8. 
Identify the property owner and the engineer of record.
D. 
Submittal Documents. Plans, specifications, engineering calculations, diagrams, geotechnical reports, storm drainage reports, easements, dedications, special inspection and observation programs, and other data required by the Director shall constitute the submittal documents and shall be submitted with each application for a permit. The submittal documents shall be prepared by an engineer licensed in the State of Washington unless the Director determines that the nature of the work applied for is such that an engineered design is not necessary to obtain compliance with this code. All submittal documents shall conform to the University Place submittal requirements.
1. 
Plans and Specifications. Plans and specifications shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that the work proposed will conform to this code and other applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. The plans shall include all applicable construction notes and details as provided in the University Place Standard Notes and Details.
2. 
Engineering Reports. Engineering reports include, but are not limited to, storm drainage reports, traffic impact analyses, geotechnical reports, and any other engineering calculations or analyses.
3. 
Easements and Dedications. Easements and dedications shall be prepared by a professional land surveyor licensed in the State of Washington. All easements and dedications shall include a legal description and drawing depicting the easement or dedication area. Easements and dedications shall conform to Chapter 13.10 UPMC. All easements and dedications to the public must be in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
4. 
Special Inspection and Observation Program. The special inspection and observation program shall be submitted with the permit application in accordance with Article VII of this chapter.
5. 
Financial Guarantees. Financial guarantees shall be submitted as required in Article VI of this chapter prior to permit issuance.
E. 
Permit Issuance. The application and submittal documents shall be reviewed by the Director. Such documents may also be reviewed by other departments of the City or independent consultants if determined necessary by the Director. If the Director finds that the work described in an application for a permit and the submittal documents conform to the requirements of this code, other provisions of the UPMC and any other pertinent ordinances, and that the appropriate fees have been paid and financial guarantees presented, the Director shall issue a permit to the applicant. The Director may attach conditions as may be necessary to ensure compliance with this code, other provisions of the UPMC and City ordinances.
F. 
Approval Limited to Approved Plan. When the Director issues a permit where plans are required, the Director shall sign the plans in an approval block. Such approved plans shall not be changed, modified or altered without authorization from the Director. All work regulated by this code shall be done in accordance with the approved plans.
G. 
Violations. Failure to obtain a permit is a violation of this code and may be cause for withholding or withdrawing approval of project plans, revocation of a permit, suspension of building (or other) inspections, forfeiture of financial guarantees submitted to the City, refusal of the City to accept the work or other enforcement action under this code or other provisions of the UPMC. It shall be unlawful for any work that requires a permit to be undertaken without a permit. Any permit application submitted for work commenced prior to the application submittal shall be subject to a charge equal to double the applicable fees plus the actual cost for any investigation undertaken in conjunction with the consideration of the permit.
H. 
Timely Completion of Work. The applicant shall complete the work, obtain an engineer’s certification of the work, submit any associated maintenance and defect guarantees, and secure the City’s acceptance of the work prior to permit expiration.
I. 
Validity of Permit.
1. 
Issuing or granting a permit or approving plans or other submittal documents shall not be construed to be a permit for, or approval of, any violation of this code or other City ordinance.
2. 
Permit issuance shall not prevent the Director from: (a) requiring the correction of errors in the plans, specifications and other data; or (b) preventing construction activities from being carried out in violation of this code, other provisions of the UPMC, or City ordinances.
3. 
Permit issuance shall not be construed as approval for any additional work beyond the scope of the permit.
J. 
Expiration.
1. 
A site development permit application shall expire when the applicant fails to provide necessary documentation and/or correction necessary to issue a permit in compliance with this code within 180 days of a request to provide such documentation and/or correction. A site development permit application may be extended for a single period not exceeding 180 days. The applicant shall submit a request in writing and demonstrate that circumstances beyond the control of the applicant have prevented completion of the request for documentation and/or correction.
2. 
Site development permits expire upon any of the following:
a. 
Two years after permit issuance.
b. 
One hundred eighty days after permit issuance if construction has not commenced.
3. 
The work authorized by such permit is either abandoned or suspended for a period of 180 days following commencement of the work.
K. 
Extension of Permit. A site development permit may be extended for a period not exceeding 180 days. The applicant shall submit a request in writing and demonstrate that circumstances beyond the control of the applicant have prevented completion of the work under the permit. No permit shall be extended more than once.
L. 
Suspension or Revocation. The Director may suspend or revoke any permit issued in error or on the basis of incorrect information supplied by the applicant. The Director may also suspend or revoke any permit when the applicant fails to comply with the provisions of the permit. Any permit applicant aggrieved by the Director’s decision to suspend or revoke a permit may appeal this action as provided in this chapter.
(Ord. 395 § 3, 2003; Ord. 518 § 1, 2008; Ord. 595 § 1 (Exh. A), 2011)
A. 
Permit Required. A right-of-way permit is required before any person may cut or remove trees or other vegetation; grade or stockpile material; alter, construct, repair, remove, excavate, place, obstruct, damage or disturb any structure, utility, facility or improvement located in the public right-of-way; or commence any other activity that interferes with the free use of the public right-of-way. An annual right-of-way permit for certain activities may be granted by the City.
B. 
Permit Exemptions. A right-of-way permit shall not be required for the activities listed below. Exemption from the permitting requirements of this section shall not constitute approval for any work done in violation of this code or any other City code.
1. 
Construction, improvement, maintenance, or repair of public roads or public storm drainage facilities when performed by the City.
2. 
Emergency sandbagging, diking, ditching, filling or similar work when done to protect life or property.
3. 
Any activity that the Director determines does not have the potential to significantly impact the right-of-way or the free use thereof. Any exemption granted under this section shall be issued in writing.
C. 
Permit Application. To obtain a right-of-way permit, an applicant shall file a written application on a form provided by the City. A permit application that does not comply with this section shall be ineligible for review. An application shall:
1. 
Identify and describe the work proposed to be covered by the permit.
2. 
Describe and locate the area where the proposed work is to be performed.
3. 
Indicate the use for which the work is intended.
4. 
Be accompanied by plans, diagrams, computations, specifications and other data required in subsection (D) of this section.
5. 
Be signed by the applicant, or the applicant’s authorized agent.
6. 
Give such other data and information as may reasonably be required by the Director to carry out the objectives of this code and other provisions of the UPMC.
7. 
Pay the application fee. The permit fee may be waived if the work is done in conjunction with a City capital improvement project.
8. 
Proof of insurance as required in UPMC § 13.05.670.
D. 
Submittal Documents. Plans, financial guarantees and other data required by the Director shall constitute the submittal documents and must be submitted with the application. Plans shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed. The plans shall show in detail that the work will conform to the provisions of this code and all relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. If the Director determines that the nature of the work applied for is such that an engineered design is necessary to obtain compliance with this code, the submittal documents shall be prepared by an engineer licensed in the State of Washington. Financial guarantees shall be submitted as required by this chapter prior to permit issuance. All submittal documents shall conform to the University Place submittal requirements.
E. 
Permit Issuance. The application and submittal documents shall be reviewed by the Director. Such documents may also be reviewed by other departments of this City, or independent consultants if determined necessary by the Director. If the Director finds that the work described in an application for a permit and the submittal documents conform to this code, other provisions of the UPMC and other pertinent laws and ordinances, and that the appropriate fees have been paid, the Director shall issue a permit to the applicant. The Director may attach conditions necessary to ensure compliance with this code, other provisions of the UPMC and City ordinances.
F. 
Violations. Failure to obtain a permit is a violation of this code and may be cause for withholding or withdrawing approval of project plans, revocation of a permit, suspension of building (or other) inspections, forfeiture of financial guarantees submitted to the City, refusal of the City to accept the work or other enforcement action under this code or other provisions of the UPMC. It shall be unlawful for any work that requires a permit to be undertaken without a permit. Any permit application submitted for work commenced prior to the application submittal shall be subject to a charge equal to double the applicable fees plus the actual cost for any City investigation undertaken in conjunction with the consideration of the permit.
G. 
Timely Completion of Work. The applicant shall complete the work, submit any associated maintenance and defect guarantees, and secure the City’s acceptance of the work prior to permit expiration.
H. 
Validity of Permit.
1. 
Issuing or granting a permit or approving plans or other submittal documents shall not be construed to be a permit for, or approval of, any violation of this code or other City ordinance.
2. 
Permit issuance shall not prevent the Director from: (a) requiring the correction of errors in the plans, specifications and other data; or (b) preventing construction activities from being carried out in violation of this code, other provisions of the UPMC, or City ordinances.
3. 
Permit issuance shall not be construed as approval for any additional work beyond the scope of the permit.
I. 
Expiration. Except for annual right-of-way permits, all other right-of-way permits expire 180 days after permit issuance. The Director may extend the time for action by the applicant for a period not exceeding 180 days on written request by the applicant showing that circumstances beyond the control of the applicant have prevented work under the permit. No permit shall be extended more than once.
(Ord. 395 § 3, 2003; Ord. 518 § 1, 2008; Ord. 679 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016)
A. 
Permit Required. A temporary right-of-way sign permit is required to place any sign, street banner, or other decoration in, along, over, or across any public right-of-way. A temporary right-of-way sign permit may be issued only for placement of signs, street banners, or decorations to promote bona fide community events. A bona fide community event is a carnival, circus, exhibition, fair, farmers' market, festival, parade, holiday celebration, or other community or regional celebration or event that may be of interest to the entire City or a substantial portion thereof.
B. 
Permit Exemptions. A temporary right-of-way sign permit shall not be required for the following signs, street banners, or decorations. Exemption from the permitting requirements of this section does not constitute authorization to place any signs, street banners, or decorations in violation of the provisions of this code, the UPMC or other City ordinance.
1. 
Political signs regulated under Chapter 19.75 UPMC.
2. 
Advisory or regulatory signs installed under a right-of-way or site development permit.
3. 
Signs, street banners, or decorations of the City.
4. 
Public notice signs required by local and State law.
5. 
Temporary “open during construction” signs approved by the Director.
C. 
Permit Application. To obtain a temporary right-of-way sign permit, an applicant shall file an application along with the permit fee. The application shall:
1. 
Describe the size, height, width, number and location of the signs, street banners, or decorations.
2. 
Describe the materials of construction of the signs, street banners, or decorations.
3. 
Describe the proposed wording and display of the signs, street banners, or decorations.
4. 
Identify the duration for which the signs, street banners, or decorations will be displayed.
5. 
Indicate the community event or celebration that the signs, street banners, or decorations will be promoting.
6. 
Be signed by the applicant or the applicant's authorized agent.
7. 
Give such other data and information as may be required by the Director.
D. 
Permit Issuance. The application and submittal documents shall be reviewed by the Director. Such documents may also be reviewed by other departments of this City. If the Director finds that the work described in an application for a permit and the submittal documents conform to this code, other provisions of the UPMC and other pertinent laws and ordinances, and that the appropriate fees have been paid, the Director shall issue a permit to the applicant. The Director may attach conditions necessary to ensure compliance with this code, other provisions of the UPMC and City ordinances. The Director may deny an application if the installation of signs, street banners or decorations would interfere with any planned installation of City sign, street banner or decoration. No permit will be granted for a proposed sign, street banner, or decoration display more than one year after the date of permit application.
E. 
Validity. The issuance of a temporary right-of-way sign permit shall not be construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any provisions of this code, other provisions of the UPMC, or other City ordinances.
F. 
Time Limits on Displays. Temporary right-of-way sign permits shall be issued for a two-week display prior to the specified community event. An additional extension for up to two weeks may be granted if no other application has been received 45 days prior to the event. No event shall be advertised or promoted for more than four weeks in a 12-month consecutive period. All displays advertising or promoting an event shall be removed within three days following the event.
(Ord. 395 § 3, 2003; Ord. 518 § 1, 2008; Ord. 679 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016)
The Director may suspend or revoke any permit issued in error or on the basis of incorrect information supplied by the applicant. The Director may also suspend or revoke any permit if the applicant fails to comply with the provisions of the permit. Any permit applicant aggrieved by the Director's decision to suspend or revoke a permit may appeal as provided in this chapter.
(Ord. 395 § 3, 2003; Ord. 518 § 1, 2008; Ord. 679 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016)