22-102749-Checklist-06-28-2022Bulletin #045 – January 20, 2022 Page 1 of 4 k:\Handouts\Variance
SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
ADMINISTRATIVE VARIANCE OR VARIANCE
ADMINISTRATIVE VARIANCE (USE PROCESS III)
WHEN AN ADMINISTRATIVE VARIANCE IS USED
Reference to an Administrative Variance in found in Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC) 19.45.015. An
administrative variance may be granted if it does not exceed 25 percent of the measurable standard. The city
will process an administrative variance as a Use Process III (Project Approval) per FWRC Chapter 19.65.
WHO MAKES THE DECISION
The Community Development Director issues the decision based on review and analysis of decisional
criteria, the official file, and written public comment.
APPEALS
Appeals of Use Process III decisions are heard and decided on by the City of Federal Way Hearing Examiner.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VARIANCE (USE PROCESS IV)
WHEN A VARIANCE IS USED
Reference to a Variance is found in FWRC Chapter 19.45. A variance may be granted if it does not meet
the 25 percent measurable standard for an administrative variance. The city will process a variance as a
Use Process IV (Hearing Examiner) per FWRC Chapter 19.70.
WHO MAKES THE DECISION
The city’s Hearing Examiner makes Process IV decisions following a public hearing.
APPEALS
Appeals of Use Process IV decisions are heard and decided on by King County Superior Court.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW TO APPLY
This form is to be used as a guide in determining what constitutes a complete application.
All application materials must be submitted electronically. Please visit our website at
https://www.cityoffederalway.com/node/4588 to request a document upload link and obtain
information on how to successfully prepare your application materials for electronic submittal.
All checked items must be submitted to constitute a complete application. Incomplete applications
or improperly named/formatted documents will not be accepted.
The applicant will be notified of a complete application within 28 days of submittal.
A complete application does not imply compliance or conformance with applicable codes.
Additional fees may be required for consultant peer review of critical areas reports.
Your application will be evaluated on the basis of the information you provide, the criteria listed in
the pertinent sections of the city code, and inspection of the property.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
33325 8th Avenue South
Federal Way, WA 98003
253-835-2607; Fax 253-835-2609
www.cityoffederalway.com
Bulletin #045 – January 20, 2022 Page 2 of 4 k:\Handouts\Variance
SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
Project Name:
Project Description:
Applicant/Agent:
File No:
Required Submitted
Completed Master Land Use application with owner’s signature.
Copy of summary letter and checklist from preapplication conference.
Application Fees
Current title report for the subject property.
Written statement discussing the following criteria. Your statement will be included in the
decision document. The burden of proof shall be on the applicant to provide all relevant
information. The city may grant your request only if it finds all the following are met.
a) That the variance will not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent
with the limitations upon uses of other properties in the vicinity and zone in
which the subject property is located.
b) That the variance is necessary because of special circumstances relating to the
size, shape, topography, location, or surroundings of the subject property to
provide it with use rights and privileges permitted to other properties in the
vicinity and zone in which the subject property is located.
c) That the granting of the variance will not be materially detrimental to the public
welfare or injurious to the property or improvements in the vicinity and zone in
which the subject property is located.
d) That the special circumstances of the subject property are not the result of the
actions of the owner of the subject property.
Bulletin #045 – January 20, 2022 Page 3 of 4 k:\Handouts\Variance
Required Submitted
Complete sets of scaled drawings.
Minimum plan sheet size shall be 24 x 36 inches.
Plans must be drawn at an engineering scale that allows the entire plan to fit on one sheet.
Minimum scale is 1 to 20, unless otherwise authorized.
All information is to be legible.
Plans shall be prepared by a certified professional (licensed in the state of Washington)
unless otherwise authorized.
Site Plan
Project name, plan date, and/or revision date(s).
Name and phone number of the owner/agent.
Name, phone number, and license stamp of preparer.
North arrow and bar scale.
Vicinity map.
Site area.
Total parking stalls count.
Total gross floor area of all proposed floors or levels.
Location and dimensions of existing and proposed structures, property lines, sidewalks,
easements, parking layout, street edges, mechanical equipment, trash enclosures, outdoor
uses, storage areas, fencing, rockeries, and retaining walls.
Streams, ponds, wetlands, natural drainage courses, and other surface water features on
or within 225-feet of the site.
Location of stands of trees as defined by FWRC 19.05.200.
Existing and proposed utilities including: utility poles and boxes, water, storm sewer,
sanitary sewer, and fire hydrants.
Structures and driveways within 150-feet of subject site (on both sides of street).
Building Elevations
Project name, plan date, and/or revision date(s).
Name, phone number, and license stamp of preparer.
Bar scale.
Front, rear, and side (labeled as north, south, east, & west) building elevations of proposed
structures.
Exterior wall openings.
Roof-top and ground based mechanical equipment screen details.
Building height calculation.
Bulletin #045 – January 20, 2022 Page 4 of 4 k:\Handouts\Variance
Required Submitted
Projects that involve review of work proposed within critical areas many times require that the
city contract out for expert technical assistance with the review. Under Federal Way Revised
Code (FWRC) 19.145.080, the city may require the applicant, at the applicant’s expense, to
provide any information, mapping, studies, materials, inspections, and/or reviews that are
reasonably necessary to implement the critical areas article, and to require that such
information, studies, mapping, materials, inspections, and/or reviews be provided or performed
by a qualified professional acceptable to the city. You will be advised at the earliest possible
point if your project will be subject to these types of expenses.
Any information or materials that is specified in the provisions of this code that describe the
applied for decision, as determined by the city.
Any additional information or materials that the Director of the Community Development
determines is reasonable.