What is "substantial development?"

Substantial development is defined in RCW 90.58.030(3) (e)

"Substantial development" shall mean any development of which the total cost or fair market value exceeds five thousand dollars, or any development which materially interferes with the normal public use of the water or shorelines of the state. The dollar threshold established in this subsection (3)(e) must be adjusted for inflation by the office of financial management every five years, beginning July 1, 2007, based upon changes in the consumer price index during that time period. "Consumer price index" means, for any calendar year, that year's annual average consumer price index, Seattle, Washington area, for urban wage earners and clerical workers, all items, compiled by the bureau of labor and statistics, United States department of labor. The office of financial management must calculate the new dollar threshold and transmit it to the office of the code reviser for publication in the Washington State Register at least one month before the new dollar threshold is to take effect. The following shall not be considered substantial developments for the purpose of this chapter:

As of September 1, 2007 the substantial development dollar threshold is $5,718 dollars. That figure was published in Washington State Register edition WSR 07-15-090. The dollar threshold will be recalculated and published in 2012.

Please note that various kinds of development are exempt from the definition of "substantial development". These exemptions are scattered throughout RCW 90.58 and may be changed by the legislature at any time.

For more information

For specific information about a city or county permit process, visit the Local Planning Page and click on the map, or contact a shoreline specialist at the appropriate Ecology regional office.

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