The pre-application meeting is an opportunity for the Development Services Team (“Review Team”) to review potential project proposals prior to filing a formal application. The Review Team consists of the City’s planning (zoning, environmental, shorelines), engineering (traffic, access, stormwater), and building (building code) staff, as well as the Northshore Utility District (water, sewer), and Northshore Fire District (emergency access, fire code).

A pre-application (“pre-app”) meeting is required for all new short plats, long plats, site plans, variances, conditional use permits, shoreline substantial development permits, wireless communication facilities (except ECFMs), and other types of projects requiring involvement from multiple members of the Review Team.

Pre-application meetings are scheduled approximately 3 weeks after submittal of the request (i.e., permit application, plans, project description, etc.). This lead time provides the Review Team an opportunity to thoroughly review the project for compliance with applicable regulations, understand potential issues with the project, and identify necessary permits and approvals.

Written feedback (draft review comments) from the Review Team is provided to the applicant prior to the pre-application meeting to help the applicant prepare for the meeting.

The format of the pre-application meeting is intended to be informal and create a collaborative environment where the Review Team and the applicant work together. The pre-application meeting is attended by necessary Review Team members and the time is used to discuss the project in more detail, go through draft review comments, and answer questions the applicant may have.

Following the meeting, the Review Team will finalize the review comments by incorporating any revisions, clarification items, answers to questions, or new information which came up during the pre-application meeting. The final pre-app review comments are typically provided a few days after the meeting. The information provided as part of the pre-application process does not constitute a formal approval or permit and does not vest any portion of the application or future applications.

There is no fee for the first pre-application meeting. Additional pre-application meetings for the same property and similar proposal may be subject to fees. See the current fee schedule for current fee information.

Generally speaking, the higher quality and more detailed plans and information submitted for review will result in higher quality and detailed feedback in return – which could eliminate time-consuming revisions later during the formal application review. Below is a guideline of the minimum information which should be submitted for a pre-application meeting request. In some circumstances, city staff may require specific information or studies be provided by the applicant prior to a pre-application request (i.e., critical areas reconnaissance report).

If you are not to the stage where you have a great level of detail, or just have questions related to a project you have prepared yourself, you should contact Development Services staff to get your questions answered. Start by contacting Permittech@kenmorewa.gov or Planner@kenmorewa.gov.

To apply please complete forms 101 and 105 and submit the application online at www.MyBuildingPermit.com.