Chapter 21.06
FINAL LONG SUBDIVISIONS

Sections:

21.06.010 Purpose.

21.06.020 Final approval of subdivisions.

21.06.030 Subdivision vacation and alteration.

21.06.040 Security.

21.06.050 Requirements for a fully completed application for final long subdivisions.

21.06.060 Final original drawing submittal.

21.06.070 Disclosures and notes.

21.06.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish or reference the procedure and requirements for the application, review and approval of final subdivisions. The procedure is intended to provide orderly and expeditious processing of such applications. (Ord. 2000-056 § 1).

21.06.020 Final approval of subdivisions.

(1) An applicant requesting final approval of a subdivision shall submit to the administrative official copies of the materials specified in WCC 21.06.050. The request shall be accompanied by a statement from the county engineer that Whatcom County has accepted as complete all on-site and off-site improvements required by the conditions of preliminary plat approval, or has received cost estimates and performance guarantees to assure completion thereof.

(2) The applicant shall submit a current title report issued no more than 60 days prior to the county council chairman signing the final plat original drawing. The owner of record and the surveyor of record shall sign the final plat original drawings prior to filing it for record with the county auditor. In addition, the applicant shall submit one paper copy to the county assessor.

(3) Each final plat submitted to the county council for approval shall be accompanied by a recommendation for approval or disapproval from the planning and development services department as to compliance with the terms of preliminary plat approval. Prior to making its recommendation, the planning and development services department should consult with the appropriate city, if the proposed land division is located within that city’s urban growth area.

(4) Final plats shall contain a statement of approval from the following:

(a) The county engineer as to the layout of streets, alleys, and other rights-of-way, and the design of bridges, sanitary sewer and water systems, drainage and surface water management facilities, and other physical improvements required by the conditions of preliminary plat approval;

(b) The county treasurer stating that all taxes and delinquent assessments for which the property may be liable as of the date of certification have been duly paid, satisfied, or discharged;

(c) The county health and human services department as to the adequacy of potable water supply and sewage disposal; and

(d) The county council stating that the final plat conforms to all terms of the preliminary subdivision approval, meets the requirements of Chapter 58.17 RCW and other applicable state laws, and meets the requirements of this title that were in effect at the time of vesting of the preliminary plat application.

(5) Final plats shall be approved, disapproved, or returned to the applicant for modification or correction within 30 calendar days of submittal to the planning and development services department.

(6) The Whatcom County auditor shall not accept a final plat for filing until it has been accepted by the approving authorities as indicated on the instrument by the appropriate signature. The signature of the approving authorities shall not be affixed until the developer has posted the guarantees as stipulated in the appropriate standards.

(7) After approval by the county council, two original drawings of the subdivision shall immediately be filed by the professional land surveyor of record with the county auditor. After filing, the county auditor shall retain one original drawing and the county engineer shall retain one original drawing. (Ord. 2000-056 § 1).

21.06.030 Subdivision vacation and alteration.

The vacation and alteration of subdivisions shall be in accordance with RCW 58.17.212 and 58.17.215 respectively. (Ord. 2000-056 § 1).

21.06.040 Security.

As an alternate to complete installation of required improvements, the subdivider may elect to post securities, with the approval of the appropriate county authority, as set forth in the Whatcom County Development Standards guaranteeing completion of the work. No occupancy permit, final inspection, or use of the lot(s) created by a subdivision shall be issued or allowed until all necessary infrastructure improvements as specified by this title have been met. (Ord. 2000-056 § 1).

21.06.050 Requirements for a fully completed application for final long subdivisions.

(1) Written and Other Data and Fees.

q Name, address, and phone number of owner, applicant, and contact person.

q A separate map scaled at 1¢¢ = 400' for assignment of addresses.

q Lot closures for the parcel being subdivided, each lot, and any dedicated right-of-way.

q Title report issued no more than 60 days old.

q Copies of covenants, conditions and restrictions.

q As-built drawings for road and drainage improvements.

q Fees as specified in the Unified Fee Schedule.

(2) Map Data.

q Final plat size is 24¢¢ x 24¢¢.

q Seven copies of proposed original drawing.

q Name of owner(s).

q Name of proposed long subdivision.

q Section, township, range, and municipal and county lines within the vicinity.

q Common engineering map bar scale (1¢¢ = 100' or larger), north arrow, legend, and sheet numbers.

q Perimeter of the subdivision shall be depicted with heavier lines.

q File number of the preliminary plat.

q Existing and proposed street names.

q Legal description of the land being subdivided.

q All lot and tract areas.

q Vicinity map.

q Names and numbers of any adjacent subdivisions, short subdivisions, and binding site plans.

q Complete bearings, lineal dimensions, radii, arcs, and central angle of all lines and curves of any lot or boundary lines within the subdivision.

q Location of permanent control monuments used as ties to establish boundary of subdivision, basis of bearing, and line held.

q Type and location of monuments and the date set.

q Sequential numbers of all lots in the subdivision, including all of its phases.

q Location and width of all easements shown as dashed lines, and a description of the purpose of the easement (including beneficiary).

q Location and description of all fence and building encroachments and other matters which, in the judgment of a professional land surveyor, give rise to alternate boundary locations resulting from occupational evidence or prescriptive rights.

q Location, width, geometry, centerline, and names of all roads within and adjoining the subdivision.

q Roads not dedicated to the public must be clearly marked.

q A reference to any covenants, conditions and restrictions.

q Dedication and declaration signature block.

q Acknowledgement blocks.

q Land surveyor’s certificate, signature block and seal.

q County engineer’s certificate.

q County health and human services department certificate.

q County treasurer’s certificate.

q County council’s certificate.

q County auditor’s certificate.

q Land surveyor notes.

(Ord. 2000-056 § 1).

21.06.060 Final original drawing submittal.

q Two original drawings.

q Two sets of covenants, conditions and restrictions.

q Maintenance bond for road and drainage improvements.

q Addresses as assigned by the county.

(Ord. 2000-056 § 1).

21.06.070 Disclosures and notes.

The following disclosures and notes, if applicable, shall be recorded in the county auditor’s office and a statement identifying the subject and the auditor’s file number for each such instrument shall be on the final plat map under surveyor’s notes prior to final approval by the county:

q Right to farm, right to practice forestry, mineral resource disclosures.

q Critical area notes.

q Boundary discrepancies.

q Protective covenants, conditions and restrictions.

q Drainage maintenance agreement block.

q Road maintenance agreement block (private roads only).

q Latecomers’ agreements.

q Significant pipeline in vicinity disclosure when the subject property is within 660 feet of a pipeline shown on Map 12, Chapter 5 of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan.

(Ord. 2004-031 § 1; Ord. 2002-017 § 1; Ord. 2000-056 § 1).