Land Use Application fees & Refund Request Form
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
"Accessory dwelling unit" means a dwelling unit within a primary residence or an accessory building for occupancy by a person or family for living and sleeping purposes, or for the temporary use of guests of the occupants of the premises. "Accessory dwelling unit" includes "guesthouse." Any accessory dwelling unit used as a bed and breakfast guesthouse shall comply with all applicable bed and breakfast regulations.
Application (Effective 2022.12.12)
ADU Informational Handout
WWCC 17.08.015
Appeal of Decision (APP)
Administrative interpretations and administrative decisions pursuant to Section 14.09.020 of this title, including appeals of administrative decisions or determinations made pursuant to RCW 43.21C, may be appealed, by applicants or parties of record, to the hearing examiner as provided for in Section 14.11.030 of this chapter.
Appeals of a rezone not of general applicability (site-specific) shall be made within ten days after the date of the Hearing Examiner's decision to the board of county commissioners for review at a closed record appeal as provided for in Section 14.11.030 of this chapter.
All other decisions of the hearing examiner may be appealed, by applicants or parties of record from the hearing examiner public hearing, to the Walla Walla County Superior Court as provided for in Section 14.11.040 of this chapter; provided, however, that no final decision of the hearing examiner may be appealed to Walla Walla County Superior Court unless such party has first brought a timely motion for reconsideration of the hearing examiner's decision pursuant to Section 14.11.060 of this chapter.
Application (Effective 2022.12.12)
WWCC Chapter 14.11
Binding Site Plan (BSP)
A "binding site plan" is a drawing to a scale in accordance with the requirements of WWCC 16.80 and RCW 58.17 for the purposes of creating lots or tracts on land zoned for commercial or industrial use; dividing land for the purpose of lease for mobile homes or travel trailers; or dividing land into lots or tracts for condominiums.
A PRE-APPLICATION MEETING IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THIS APPLICATION.
Application (Effective 2022.12.12)
Minor Revision/Alteration Application (Effective 2022.12.12)
Certificate of Irrigation District Service
Certificate of Water Availability
Community Health Land Division Application
WWCC Section 16.08.010
Boundary Line Adjustment (BLA)
A "boundary line adjustment" is an alteration of boundary lines between platted or unplatted lots, or both. A boundary line adjustment cannot create any additional lot, tract, parcel, site or division.
Application (Effective 2022.12.12)
Community Health Land Division Application
WWCC Section 16.08.010
WWCC Chapter 16.70
Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA)
Applications for amendments to the County's Comprehensive Plan are considered annually, with a few exceptions. The annual amendment process is designed to solicit from the public and outside agencies suggested amendments to the Walla Walla County Comprehensive Plan and development regulations for future consideration. More information is available here.
2023 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Application & 'Exhibit B' Template
Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
A "conditional use" means a use permitted in one or more districts as defined by WWCC Title 17, but which, because of characteristics particular to the proposal, such as size, technological processes or equipment used, or because of the exact location with reference to surroundings, streets, and existing improvements or demands upon public facilities, the design requires a special degree of control to make such uses consistent with and compatible to other existing or permissible uses in the same district, and to assure that such use shall not be in conflict with the public interest.
A PRE-APPLICATION MEETING IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THIS APPLICATION.
Application (Effective 2022.12.12)
Application - Quarry on Designated Mineral Resource Lands (Effective 2022.12.12)
WWCC Section 17.08.160
WWCC Chapter 17.40
Critical Areas (CAP)
There are five primary types of critical areas in Walla Walla County: fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, wetlands, geologically hazardous areas, critical aquifer recharge areas, and frequently flooded areas. These areas are regulated under Walla Walla County Code (WWCC) Chapter 18.08. The purpose of these regulations is to "designate and classify ecologically sensitive and hazardous areas and to protect these areas and their functions and values, while also allowing for reasonable use of private property" (WWCC 18.08.005).
Application (Effective 2022.12.12)
Handout - Liquefaction Susceptibility
Policy - Preliminary Liquefaction Assessments
Best Available Science (BAS) Document 2008
WWCC Chapter 18.08
Development of Illegally Divided Land
Under certain criteria, lots, tracts or parcels of land that have been created or divided in violation of state law or this title may be developed upon.
Innocent Purchaser for Value
Development permits on such land will only be granted if the applicant purchased the lot, tract or parcel for value; and the applicant did not know, and could not have known within reasonable effort that the lot, tract or parcel of land had been created or divided in violation of state law. Applications shall be approved, approved with conditions or denied based on a determination that the application complies with the following adopted county and state rules, regulations, plans and policies per WWCC16.04.050.
WWCC Section 16.04.040
Public Interest Determination
Development permits on such land will only be granted only if:
The director of health has certified that the proposed means of sewage disposal and water supply on and to the lot, tract or parcel are adequate; and the county engineer has certified that the lot, tract or parcel is served with an adequately designed means of ingress and egress, and with adequate drainage facilities, none of which interfere with or impair existing or planned public highway and drainage facilities, roads, utilities, pedestrian facilities, and public open space in the vicinity; and the director has certified that the proposed development conforms to the comprehensive plan and all zoning regulations; and the proposed development will not adversely affect the public safety, health or welfare.Applications shall be approved, approved with conditions or denied based on a determination that the application complies with the following adopted county and state rules, regulations, plans and policies per WWCC16.04.050.
WWCC Section 16.04.030
Application (Effective 2012.12.12)
Development Regulations "Zoning Code" Text Amendments (ZCA)
The Development Regulations (County Code) are the tools that implement the Comprehensive Plan. They provide the regulatory controls for development and land use activities. They include the County’s zoning code, critical areas Regulations, shoreline master program, planned unit development ordinances, and subdivision ordinances. The County’s development regulations are applicable only to the unincorporated lands in Walla Walla County, including the urban growth areas of the cities of College Place, Prescott, Waitsburg, and Walla Walla, also the Burbank UGA, and the rural activity centers (RAC) of Dixie, Lowden, and Touchet. The County's Incorporated Municipalities have their own development regulations, and separate amendment processes.
Applications for amendments to the County's development regulations are generally considered annually. The annual amendment process is designed to solicit from the public and outside agencies suggested amendments to the development regulations for future consideration.
Application for 2023 Amendment Cycle APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 3-31-2023
Written Statement Template
Final Subdivision: Long Plats & Final Long Plat and PUD Alterations (SUB)
In Walla Walla County, a "final plat" is the final drawing of the subdivision and dedication prepared for filing for record with the county auditor and containing all elements and requirements set forth in RCW 58.17, and in WWCC Title 16. A final plat must be recorded within 7 years of its associated preliminary plat approval.
Application (Final Plat, effective 2022.12.12)
Application (Final Plat Alterations)
WWCC Section 16.08.010
WWCC Chapter 16.36
Home Occupations
"Home Occupation" means an occupation customarily conducted entirely within a dwelling and carried on by the inhabitants thereof, which use is clearly incidental and secondary to the dwelling for dwelling purposes and does not change the character thereof. See WWCC 17.08.260 and 17.08.261 for further clarification, and the Residential Land Uses table in WWCC 17.16.014 for permitted and conditional use requirements for Type I and Type II home occupations.
Application (Effective 2022.12.12)
WWCC Section 17.08.260
WWCC Section 17.08.261
WWCC Section 17.16.014
Large Lot Subdivisions (SUB)
A "large lot subdivision" is the division of land into two or more lots or parcels, where the smallest lot, tract, parcel or site is greater than forty acres. Regardless of the number of lots proposed, application requirements for a large lot subdivision are the same as required for preliminary short subdivision (short plat), unless waived by the Director.
A PRE-APPLICATION MEETING IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THIS APPLICATION.
Application (Effective 2022.12.12)
Community Health Land Division Application
WWCC Section 16.08.010
WWCC Chapter 16.95
Legal Lot Determination (LLD)
A legal lot determination provides an applicant with a formal determination of the legal status of a parcel of land in Walla Walla County.
Application (Effective 2022.12.12)
Medical Hardship Temporary Mobile Home Placement
In Walla Walla County, the following application must be submitted for consideration of a conditional use permit (CUP) for the temporary placement of a mobile / manufactured home due to medical hardship.
Application
Physician's Certificate
Health Department Certificate
WWCC 17.16.014A(1)
Pre-Application/Roundtable Meeting Request Form (TRC)
The intent of Pre-application and Roundtable meetings is to inform applicants/property owners of applicable county regulations and/or submittal requirements before project application submittal.
Walla Walla County Code Section 14.07.020 REQUIRES all applicants for Type 2, Type 3, or Type 4 project permit applications to participate in a PRE-APPLICATION MEETING (not a roundtable).
TRC Pre-application/Roundtable Request Form (Effective 2022.12.12)
Preliminary Subdivision: Long Plat, Planned Unit Development, and Amendments to Preliminary Plat Approval
Preliminary Subdivisions are also commonly called "preliminary plats." Walla Walla County Code defines a "preliminary plat" as a neat and approximate drawing of a proposed subdivision showing the general layout of roads and alleys, lots, blocks and restrictive covenants to be applicable to the subdivision, and other elements of a plat or subdivision which shall furnish a basis for the approval or disapproval of the general layout of a subdivision.
The purpose of the planned unit development option is to provide greater flexibility and encourage more design creativity than is generally done under traditional lot by lot development, while ensuring substantial compliance with the goals and policies of the comprehensive plan; and permitting more advantageous use of sites through the arrangement of structures, circulation, parking, open spaces, and transfer of development rights. The general provisions for Planned Unit Developments in Walla Walla County can be found in WWCC Chapter 17.37.
A preliminary plat approval is valid for seven (7) years. When preliminary plats are approved they are not recorded. Final plat approval (see Final Subdivision application) is required prior to plat recordation.
A PRE-APPLICATION MEETING IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THIS APPLICATION.
Preliminary Subdivision Application
Preliminary Long Plat Application (non PUD)
Preliminary PUD Application (Effective 2022.12.12)
Irrigation District Certificate
Certificate of Water Availability
Community Health Land Division Application
Amendments to Preliminary Subdivision Approval
A preliminary subdivision amendment is also commonly known as a "plat condition amendment." The following application must be used in order to apply for an amended of a plat condition in Walla Walla County.
Application
Application to Amend Preliminary PUD
Sample Private Road Maintenance Covenant
WWCC Section 16.08.010
WWCC Chapter 16.14
WWCC Chapter 17.37
Rezone (i.e. zoning map amendment)
There are two types of rezones. Rezones can be site-specific or area-wide of general applicability.
Applications for site-specific rezones can be submitted at any time and are reviewed by the Hearing Examiner. A site-specific rezone does not require an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan's - Land Use Designations Map.
A PRE-APPLICATION MEETING IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THIS APPLICATION.
Application (Site Specific Rezone) (Effective 2022.12.12)
'Exhibit B' Rezone Template
Applications for area-wide rezoning of general applicability are typically considered annually and are required to be accompanied by application(s) for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to alter the Land Use Designations Map. Please contact us if you have questions regarding the amendment process. More information is available here.
SEPA Environmental Checklist
The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), chapter 43.21C RCW, requires all governmental agencies to consider the environmental impacts of a proposal before making decisions.
SEPA procedures and policies for Walla Walla County are contained in WWCC Chapter 18.04. SEPA review is required for many types of applications, but is not a stand-alone application.
SEPA Checklist Form
SEPA Checklist Review Costs
SEPA Checklists accompanying all applications EXCEPT Short Plats = $1,399 ($1,300 Application Fee & 3% Technology Fee)
SEPA Checklists accompanying Short Plat Applications = $610.79 ($593 Application Fee & 3% Technology Fee)
WWCC Chapter 18.04
Department of Ecology SEPA Guidance
Shoreline Permits
Land within 200 feet of ordinary high water or floodways of the Snake River, Columbia River, Walla Walla River, Touchet River, Bennington Lake, Mill Creek, and portions of Yellowhawk Creek fall under the jurisdiction of the Shoreline Master Plan.
There are four different types of shoreline permits: a Substantial Development Permit, a Shoreline Conditional Use Permit, a Shoreline Exemption Permit, and a Variance Permit.
The Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Application (JARPA) Form is used for shoreline permit application. Visit the Governor's Office of Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA) website for more information on the JARPA form.
A PRE-APPLICATION MEETING IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO APPLYING FOR A SHORELINE VARIANCE, OR SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT OR CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS.
Application Form (JARPA)
Guidance from the ORIA Website
Shoreline Permit Review Costs
Shoreline Permit Exemption for Fish Habitat Restoration: No Fee
Shoreline Exemption: $683.92 ($664 Application Fee + 3% Tech Fee)
Shoreline Substantial Development Permit, Conditional Use Permit or Variance: $3,193 ($3,100 Application Fee + 3% Tech Fee) PLUS Hearing Examiner Costs in excess of $1,150.
Short Subdivisions (Short Plats)
In Walla Walla County, a "short plat" is a document consisting of a map of a short subdivision together with written certificates, dedications and data. A "short subdivision" is the division or redivision of land into four or fewer lots, tracts, parcels, sites or divisions outside of an urban growth area boundary, or nine or fewer lots, tracts, parcels, sites or divisions inside of an urban growth area boundary for the purpose of sale or lease.
A PRE-APPLICATION MEETING IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THIS APPLICATION.
Application (Effective 2022.12.12)
Certificate of Irrigation District Service
Certificate of Water Availability
Community Health Land Division Application
WWCC Section 16.08.010
WWCC Chapter 16.14
WWCC Chapter 16.36
Site Development Permit (SDP)
Regulations and procedures for review and approval of a site development permit when approval of a site plan is desired independent of action on a building permit is found in Walla Walla County Code Chapter 17.17. This is an optional process that can be used for commercial or industrial projects.
A PRE-APPLICATION MEETING IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THIS APPLICATION.
Application (Effective 2022.12.12)
WWCC Chapter 17.17
Variance (VAR)
Walla Walla County Code defines a "variance" as a departure from the provisions of a zoning ordinance relating to setbacks, side yards, frontage requirements, and lot size that, if applied to a specific lot, would significantly interfere with the use of the property (WWCC 17.08.505). Decision criteria for variances are found in WWCC Chapter 17.44.
A PRE-APPLICATION MEETING IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THIS APPLICATION
Application (Effective 2022.12.12)
WWCC Chapter 17.44
Winery/Brewery Permit (WP)
The development standards for wineries and breweries, including definition of winery and brewery types, are found in Chapter 17.22 of the Walla Walla County Code. This form must accompany all winery and brewery permit applications.
A PRE-APPLICATION MEETING IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO SUBMITTING MOST TYPE 2 AND TYPE 3 WINERY PERMIT APPLICATIONS
Application
WWCC Chapter 17.22
Miscellaneous
