Pre-Application Meeting

Pre-app.png

The City of Renton offers Free Pre-Application meetings to help determine the feasibility of a project prior to submitting a formal Land Use application. The Pre-Application process provides detailed information on zoning requirements, permitting processes, timelines, fees, and more. 

Pre-application Meetings occur every Thursday and are scheduled at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 2:00 p.m.

Is It Required?

Required

Pre-Application Meetings are required for Type II or III applications (See Land Use Processes and Procedures below) and may also be conducted for speculative projects.

The following permits require a Pre-Application Meeting:

  • Critical Areas Permit [including Residential Development and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)]
  • Changing the Use of a Building or Property [4000 sq ft or more]
  • Conditional Use Permit [Administrative and Hearing Examiner]
  • Commercial or Industrial Building Addition
  • Environmental Review 
  • Grade and Fill Permit
  • Home Occupation Permit
  • Land Division [Short Plat or Preliminary Plat, Binding Site Plan]
  • Master Site Plan [Overall and Individual Phases]
  • New Multifamily, Commercial, or Industrial Development
  • Planning Urban Development [PUD]
  • Preliminary Mobile Home Park
  • Rezones
  • Shoreline Permits
  • Site Plan
  • Small Cell Permit [aka Conditional Use Permit for Wireless Facilities]
  • Special Fence
  • Temporary Use Permit (Tier II)
  • Variances

Prepare

Research

  • Find your property information to determine what is allowed for your zone and your property by referencing the Renton Zoning Code.
  • Prior to submitting a pre-application, the applicant should informally discuss the proposed development with the Planning Division.
  • Use the Renton Zoning Code to determine the development standards are for your zone.
  • Provide the location of critical areas on the submitted plans.

Gather the Following Documents

Application Materials Required:

  • Project Narrative: a clear and concise description of the proposed project; (refer to the link below for additional details)
  • Site Plan: A single fully dimensioned plan sheet drawn at scale of one inch equals twenty feet (1”=20’) or another scale approved by staff;
  • Vicinity Map: Small-scale map that shows the location of a property or project site in relation to its surrounding area;

Pre-Application Submittal Requirements

Codes

Still not sure if your project requires a pre-application meeting?
Please email planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov or call 425-430-7294 to discuss your proposal with a planner.

Apply and Review

Step 1.Apply for Pre-Application Meeting

All pre-application meeting requests must be submitted online via the online permit portal provided below. A complete application requires a Project Narrative, Site Plan and Vicinity Map. 

Online Permit Portal What To Submit | How To Register

Step 2.Upload Documents & Drawings into Online Portal

The City of Renton has a standard naming convention that applicants are required to adhere to when they submit an application. We will not enforce the naming convention for this meeting, but we encourage you to become familiar with it ahead of your application and consider using it with your documents at this time.

Step 3.Pre-Screening

Once you have submitted your pre-application, the City will be immediately notified. The department Pre-Application Liaison will reach out to you via email to schedule your pre-application meeting once your application is deemed complete. 

Once the Pre-Application meeting is scheduled, a Project Manager will be assigned to your project and will remain involved until its completion.

Step 4.Review

Once the application has been deemed complete, the pre-application submittal will be reviewed. There is a minimum of 2 weeks for review. 

Meeting

Prior to the Meeting

The applicant will receive a written summary of the review comments prior to the pre-application meeting. 

At the Meeting

Applicants meet with City representatives and attending agencies to discuss their proposal. Feedback is provided both in a written report and verbally during the meeting, with opportunities to ask questions.

The Planning Division addresses development regulations, Engineering reviews transportation and utilities, and the Fire Department comments on emergency services. If plans are detailed, the Building Section may also provide input.

Next Steps

Applicant formally submits land use application. Please reach out to your assigned Project Manager or contact PlanningCustomerService@rentonwa.gov. 

Land Use Processes and Procedures

Land use procedure types determine the process used to make a land use decision.

Type I

These applications require the most basic administrative review. 

  • The Planning Administrator makes the decision.
  • Public notice and hearing are not required.

Permit Timelines | Submittal Process - Type I Permit 

Type II

These applications require a more comprehensive administrative review. 

  • The Planning Administrator makes the decision.
  • Public notice and opportunity to comment are provided prior to a decision.
  • A public hearing is required only if the decision is appealed.

Permit Timelines |Submittal Process - Type II Permit 

Type III

These applications require a more comprehensive Hearing Examiner review. 

  • City staff makes a recommendation.
  • The Hearing Examiner makes a decision.
  • Public notice, opportunity to comment and a public hearing are required.

Permit Timelines | Submittal Process - Type III Permit

Type IV

This type of decision is used for legislative land use actions, which involve broader policy changes or amendments to zoning regulations.

  • City staff or Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council.
  • The City Council makes the decision.
  • Public notice, opportunity to comment and a public hearing are required for the hearing where the recommendation is made and the hearing where final action is taken.

Permit Timelines | Type IV Procedures

PERMIT TYPE

REVIEW TIME PERIOD

TYPE I

65 days

TYPE II

100 days

TYPE III

170 days

TYPE IV

170 days

 

Contact Us

Phone & Email

425-430-7294

Email: Planning Customer Service

Monday-Friday

8am-4pm

In-Person

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday

9am-11:30am

1pm-4pm

Renton City Hall

1st Floor Customer Service

1055 S  Grady Way

Renton, WA 98057

 

Back to top