Permit Pathfinder™
Water & Shoreline

Shoreline Substantial Development Permit

Required for substantial development within shoreline jurisdiction (200 feet of the ordinary high water mark) on marine, lake, and river shorelines in Washington.

Local City/County (Dept. of Ecology oversight) Puget Sound 90–180 days

Standard Operating Procedure

  1. 1
    Step 1

    Determine whether your project meets the substantial development threshold by area, value, or use.

  2. 2
    Step 2

    Submit a JARPA and shoreline application to your local government's shoreline administrator.

  3. 3
    Step 3

    Local review includes consistency with the Shoreline Master Program and a public hearing before the hearing examiner.

  4. 4
    Step 4

    The Dept. of Ecology reviews and either approves, approves with conditions, or denies the local decision.

  5. 5
    Step 5

    Appeals, if any, are heard by the Shorelines Hearings Board within 30 days of Ecology's decision.

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