A. 
The city adopts the following rules for categorical exemption of Chapter 197-11 WAC, as now existing or hereinafter amended, by reference, as supplemented in this chapter:
WAC 197-11-305
Categorical exemptions.
WAC 197-11-800
Categorical exemptions; except as noted in subsection B of this section.
WAC 197-11-880
Emergencies.
WAC 197-11-890
Petitioning DOE to change exemptions.
B. 
The city establishes the following raised exemption levels for minor new construction under WAC 197-11-800(1)(c):
1. 
Construction or location of up to nine single-family residential dwelling units and up to eight multifamily residential dwelling units (WAC 197-11-800(1)(b)(i) and (ii)).
2. 
The construction of a barn, loafing shed, farm equipment storage building, produce storage or packing structure, or similar agricultural structure, covering up to 20,000 square feet and to be used only by the property owner or his or her agent in the conduct of farming the property. This exemption shall not apply to feed lots (WAC 197-11-800(1)(b)(iii)).
3. 
Construction of an office, school, commercial, recreational, service or storage building, up to 12,000 square feet of gross floor area and associated parking facilities designed for up to 50 automobiles (WAC 197-11-800(1)(b)(iv)).
4. 
Any fill or excavation of up to 1,000 cubic yards throughout the lifetime of the fill or excavation and any excavation, fill, or grading necessary for an exempt project listed in subsection (B)(1), (2), (3) or (4) of this section; provided, that the grading will not take place within shoreline jurisdiction or above 650 feet in elevation (WAC 197-11-800(1)(b)(v)).
5. 
Any fill or excavation of up to 100 cubic yards throughout the lifetime of the fill or excavation and any excavation, fill, or grading necessary for an exempt project listed in subsection (B)(1), (2), (3) or (4) of this section, if the any grading will take place within shoreline jurisdiction or above 650 feet in elevation.
C. 
Whenever the city establishes new exempt levels under this section, it shall send them to the Department of Ecology, Headquarters Office, Olympia, Washington, 98504 under WAC 197-11-800(1)(c).
(Ord. 41-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 30-19 § 1 (Att. B), 2019)
A. 
When the city receives an application for a license, permit, or, in the case of governmental proposals, a department initiates a proposal, the responsible official shall determine whether the license and/or the proposal is exempt from environmental review under this chapter. The determination that a proposal is exempt shall be final and not subject to administrative appeal. If a proposal is exempt, none of the procedural requirements of this chapter shall apply to the proposal.
B. 
In determining whether or not a proposal is exempt, responsible official shall make certain proposal is properly defined and shall identify governmental license or permit required. If proposal includes exempt and nonexempt actions, responsible official shall determine lead agency even if license application triggering consideration is exempt.
C. 
If proposal includes both exempt and nonexempt actions, city may authorize exempt actions prior to compliance with procedural requirements of this chapter, except:
1. 
The city shall not give authorization for:
a. 
Any nonexempt action;
b. 
Any action that would have an adverse environmental impact; or
c. 
Any action that would limit the choice of reasonable alternatives;
2. 
The city may withhold approval of any permit, application or proposal, the basis of which is an exempt action that would lead to modification of the physical environment, when such modification would serve no purpose if the nonexempt actions were not approved; and
3. 
The city may withhold approval of any permit, application or proposal, the basis of which is an exempt action that would lead to substantial financial expenditures by a private applicant when the expenditures would serve no purpose if the nonexempt actions were not approved.
4. 
A planned action as defined in RCW 43.21C.031(2) does not require a threshold determination or the preparation of an environmental impact statement under this chapter, but is subject to environmental review and mitigation as provided in this chapter.
(Ord. 41-07 § 1, 2007)
A. 
Preapplication conferences, as provided in WRMC 14.02.010, shall also address environmental issues to familiarize the applicant with the city's SEPA regulations, process, policies and objectives.
B. 
If the city's only action on a proposal is a decision on a building permit or other license that requires detailed project plans and specifications, the applicant may request in writing that the city conduct environmental review prior to submission of the detailed plans and specifications.
C. 
In addition to environmental documents an applicant shall submit the following information for early environmental review:
1. 
A copy of any permit or license application; and
2. 
Other information as the responsible official determines.
(Ord. 41-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 30-19 § 1 (Att. B), 2019)