The purpose of this chapter is to clearly delineate the criteria used by the city of Richland to review lot/boundary line adjustments and parcel combinations. Parcel combination allows for two or more lots/parcels to be combined into one lot/parcel. Lot/boundary line adjustments provide a procedure for changes in property lines. A lot/boundary line adjustment is intended to apply to minor boundary changes, to correct a controversy regarding the location of a lot line, and to remedy property use constraints caused by adverse topographical features. A lot/boundary line adjustment does not apply to boundary changes that would otherwise be regulated by applicable city of Richland land use codes and regulations, or to actions requiring the replat, alteration, or vacation of a subdivision or short subdivision. The adjustment must be consistent with all applicable zoning, health, building, and similar regulations, and cannot result in nonconformance or increase an existing nonconformance. This chapter is also intended to ensure compliance with the Survey Recording Act, Chapter 58.09 RCW, and Chapter 332-130 WAC.
(Ord. 2024-06 § 1)
The lot lines separating two lots of record may only be adjusted/removed under the provisions of this chapter, except as provided under RCW 58.17.040, as now adopted or hereafter amended. Actions which change or impair conditions or requirements imposed by previous platting decisions must be accomplished pursuant to the land division requirements set forth in this title; provided, that all requirements set forth in this chapter are met, lot/boundary line adjustments proposing lot reorientations shall be deemed to be minor in nature.
Boundary line adjustments shall be a minor alteration in the location of lot or parcel boundaries on existing lots or parcels. In this section, "lot" shall mean a parcel of land having fixed boundaries described by reference to a recorded plat, a recorded binding site plan, by metes and bounds, or by aliquot part (section, township and range,) and be of sufficient area to meet minimum zoning requirements. The purpose of the parcel combination process is to remove interior lot lines of a parcel comprised of two or more separate lots with contiguous ownership. Boundary line adjustments must be consistent with the following:
A. 
Such alteration shall not increase the number of lots nor diminish in size open space or other protected environments as required by the city of Richland critical area ordinance and shoreline master program;
B. 
Such alteration shall not diminish the size of any lot so as to result in a lot which would not comply with zoning regulations except as provided in RMC § 24.30.050(B);
C. 
Such alteration shall not result in a building setback violation or site coverage to less than prescribed by the zoning regulations; and
D. 
All lots resulting from the boundary line alteration shall be in conformance with all applicable zoning requirements.
(Ord. 2024-06 § 1)
Boundary line adjustments and parcel combinations are classified as Type I applications and shall be reviewed pursuant to RMC § 19.20.010. Based on comments from the public works department, public health official, and other applicable agencies and departments, the administrator shall approve the proposed lot line adjustment or lot combination only upon finding that the standards of the Richland Municipal Code have been satisfied.
(Ord. 2024-06 § 1)
To be considered complete, a lot/boundary line adjustment or parcel combination application shall include the following:
A. 
Applications for lot/boundary line adjustments or parcel combinations shall be made on forms provided by the city of Richland development services department, and shall be submitted to the development services department along with the appropriate fees as established in the city of Richland fee schedule;
B. 
A completed boundary line adjustment and parcel combination request form, including all materials required pursuant to the Richland Municipal Code, to include a site plan showing (1) the location and dimensions of all structures/improvements existing upon the affected lots; (2) the distance between each structure/improvement and the proposed lot/boundary lines; and (3) structures proposed to be removed from the site depicted with broken lines and structures to remain on the site depicted with solid lines;
C. 
A clean and legible record of survey suitable for recording and submitted in digital format (PDF) showing the following:
1. 
The proposed lines for all affected lots, indicated by bold solid lines;
2. 
The existing lot lines proposed to be changed, indicated by light broken lines;
3. 
The original legal description of the entire property together with new separate legal descriptions for each parcel, labeling them specifically as parcel A, parcel B, etc.;
4. 
A north arrow and scale;
5. 
All parcel numbers of affected lots;
6. 
The location of the property as to quarter/quarter section;
7. 
The location and dimensions of any easements upon any affected lots;
8. 
The location, right-of-way widths, pavement widths and names of all existing or platted streets, whether public or private, and other public ways within or adjacent to the affected lots;
9. 
The area and dimensions of each lot following the proposed adjustment;
10. 
The existing and, if applicable, proposed future method of sewage disposal for each affected lot, including the location and dimensions of the proposed drain field;
11. 
The location of all existing and proposed water, sewer, irrigation and storm drainage facilities;
12. 
Footprint of existing buildings with dimensions from property lines;
13. 
Deeds for land transfer with new legal descriptions. The legal descriptions shall include the legal description for the portion of the land to be transferred and a legal description of each new parcel after the transfer. Deeds shall be typed; handwritten deeds will not be accepted;
D. 
The drawing shall be submitted along with a preliminary deed signed and notarized by all legal owners of the subject properties; and
E. 
If on-site wastewater (septic tanks) disposal is proposed under the limited circumstances where the Richland Municipal Code does not require connection to the city's sewer system, the applicant shall provide written verification from the Benton-Franklin Health District that the site is adequate to accommodate an on-site sewage disposal system.
(Ord. 2024-06 § 1)
All public improvements installed for any lot/boundary line adjustment or parcel combination shall be in accordance with the city's public works standards and irrigation district standards and specifications if located within the boundaries of an irrigation district. Lot/boundary line adjustments and parcel combinations shall not:
A. 
Create any additional lot, tract, parcel, or division;
B. 
Result in a lot, tract, parcel, site, or division which contains increased density or insufficient area or dimension to meet the minimum requirements for area and dimension as set forth in the city's zoning and land use and state and local health codes and regulations. This provision shall not be construed to require correction or remedy of preexisting nonconformities or substandard conditions; however, existing nonconformity shall not be increased or create any new nonconformity;
C. 
Diminish or impair drainage, water supply, existing sanitary sewage disposal, and/or access or easement for vehicles or pedestrians, utilities, and/or fire protection for any lot, tract, parcel, site, or division;
D. 
Diminish or impair any public or private utility or irrigation easement or deprive any parcel of access or utilities or irrigation facilities;
E. 
Create unreasonably restrictive or hazardous access to the property;
F. 
Increase the nonconforming aspects of an existing nonconforming lot relative to the city's zoning and land use regulations;
G. 
Replat or vacate a plat or short subdivision, or revise or amend the conditions of approval of any full or short subdivision; or
H. 
Amend the conditions of approval for previously platted property.
(Ord. 2024-06 § 1)
A. 
Upon approval of the application, the administrator shall notify the applicant. The applicant shall then record with the Benton County auditor the certificate or document issued by the administrator indicating approval of the lot/boundary line adjustment or parcel combination, together with the legal document(s) transferring title, any applicable restrictive covenants, and the survey, if one was required and has not yet been recorded.
B. 
A lot/boundary line adjustment or parcel combination does not become effective until the applicant has recorded the documents required by the Benton County auditor. The applicant shall return one copy of each recorded document to the department, which copy must bear the Benton County auditor's stamp to verify recording. No building or other site development permits shall be granted until the applicant returns the copy of the recorded document to the department.
(Ord. 2024-06 § 1)