BLA Submittal RequirementsBulletin #038 – May 2, 2019 Page 1 of 3 k:\Handouts\038 Boundary Line Adjustment
BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENT
PURPOSE
A boundary line adjustment (BLA) is intended for the purpose of altering the location of property lines in
order to reflect existing physical boundaries or to make minor changes to lot lines. BLAs are a minor
alteration in the location of lot boundaries on existing lots. Such alteration shall not increase the number
of lots nor diminish in size open space or other protected environments, shall not diminish the size of any
lot so as to result in a lot of less square footage than prescribed in the zoning regulations, and shall not
result in the reduction of setbacks or site coverage to less than prescribed by the zoning regulations.
WHO MAKES THE DECISION
The Community Development Director will make the decision on the BLA. The application is processed
under the provisions of Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC) Chapter 18.10, “Boundary Line
Adjustments.” Your application will be evaluated on the basis of the information you provide, the criteria
listed in the pertinent sections of the city’s regulations, and inspection of the property. Upon determining
that the BLA application is complete, the city will distribute a notice of complete application.
ENVIRONMENTALLY CRITICAL AREAS
Projects that involve work within environmentally critical areas may require that the city contract out for
expert technical assistance. Pursuant to FWRC 19.145.080, the applicant is responsible for providing any
information, mapping, studies, and materials; and having the city’s third party consultant review the
materials for compliance. You will be advised at an early point in the process if your project will be
subject to these types of expenses.
RECORDING
The applicant records the approved BLA with the King County Division of Records and Elections, at
their expense. Before the action is considered complete, a copy of the BLA document, stamped with the
recording number, must be returned to the city for a final review and placement in the official file.
HOW TO APPLY
The applicant (owner or owner’s appointed agent) files a complete application with the Community
Development Department using the Master Land Use Application form, which can be obtained at our
office or on the city’s website (www.cityoffederalway.com).
A complete application is required before the city can proceed with technical analysis and make an
informed decision on your application. Following is a list of materials that must be submitted with your
application. Please do not turn in your application until all items on the list that apply to your proposal
have been included. Consult with the Community Development Department’s Permit Center (253-835-
2607, or permitcenter@cityoffederalway.com) if you have a question. All application materials become
public information.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
33325 8th Avenue South
Federal Way WA 98003
253-835-2607; Fax 253-835-2609
www.cityoffederalway.com
Bulletin #038 – May 2, 2019 Page 2 of 3 k:\Handouts\038 Boundary Line Adjustment
BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENT SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
Project Name:
Project Description:
Applicant/Agent:
File No(s):
Required Submitted
Completed Master Land Use Application, including the signature of persons with ownership
interest in the property. Agent authorization is required if the application is not signed by owners
of all subject parcels.
Application fees
Two copies of lot closure calculations (with surveyor’s seal) of the proposed lots.
Two copies of a title report for the subject property, not more than one year old, including any
easements or restrictions affecting the properties with a description, purpose, and reference by
auditor’s file number and/or recording number; parties of interest; and any restrictions or
covenants running with the property.
Two copies of certificate of water availability, signed within a year of the date of application.
One copy of certificate of sewer availability, signed within a year of the date of application,
unless the site is to be served by an on-site septic system; or
One copy of the Seattle-King County Health Department approval of the proposed BLA if the
project is to be served by an on-site septic system.
Two copies of a critical area report, if required per FWRC 19.145.080 .
Seven full size prints of the proposed short plat drawing as specified below AND one copy on 11
by 17 inch paper.
The drawing shall be 18 x 24 inches in size, drawn to a scale of 1″=50′ or larger, on the city’s
standard BLA title block form.
Drawings shall be folded to 9 x 12 inches.
One set of reproducible drawings will be required after the BLA is approved, prior to signing
and recording.
Additional information as required by Community Development and/or Public Works.
Bulletin #038-May 2, 2019 Page 3 of 3 k:\Handouts\Short Subdivision
Required Submitted
Boundary Line Adjustment Drawing including, but not limited to:
Proposed name of the BLA. (You may wish to check with the city to make sure the name has
not been taken yet.)
Name, address, and phone number of each property owner.
Name, address, and phone number of the registered land surveyor.
Scale of drawing, north arrow, and date (subsequent resubmittals must have a revision date).
Vicinity map with labeled streets and north arrow.
Location by section, township, and range.
Legal description of existing and proposed lots.
Tax parcel numbers of the parcels being altered by the boundary line adjustment.
The existing lot lines shown in dashed lines and the area of each of the lots.
The new lot lines shown in solid lines and the area of each of the new lots.
Existing topography of the land indicated by contours of 2-foot intervals for slopes less than
15 percent and 5-foot intervals for slopes of 15 percent or greater.
Vertical Datum (NGVD-29 or KCAS).
Location and extent of significant natural features on and immediately adjacent to the site.
Such features shall include but are not limited to streams, wetlands, views, stands of trees,
and water bodies to the extent that significant natural features and/or their associated buffers
affect the BLA.
Location of all structures shown on lots with distances shoes to existing and proposed lot
lines if within 50 feet.
Location of all existing and proposed recorded easements for acces s, utilities, or other
purposes with recording number.
Location, widths, and names of existing abutting streets. Provide location of existing
driveways or access route to right -of-way of existing and new lots.
Basis of bearing shown.
Statement of equipment and procedures used indication of perimeter boundary, lot, and right-
of-way lines with a notation of bearings or azimuth from the north, distances, and curv e data.
Location and description of all monuments both found and set.
Identification of all controlling corners used. (i.e. calculated, found, established,
reestablished) A field survey for establishment of corners is not required when an interior lot
line is removed.
Where an on-site sewage disposal system is utilized, Seattle-King County Department of
Public Health signature is required.
The city’s file number will be assigned upon application. Include the file number on
subsequent resubmittals.