Permit Applications and Handouts
This webpage is designed to help you identify what type of permits and information you may need to develop your property in unincorporated Lewis County. If you need additional assistance with applying for a permit, please contact the Permit Center at 360-740-1146. If you have more questions about what you are allowed to do on a property, please reach out to the Planning Department. For a full list of contact information for Community Development, visit the Staff Directory webpage.
Presubmission Conference
If you are interested in pursuing a commercial project, consider scheduling a Presubmission Conference. This is a free consultation with Community Development, Public Works, & Environmental Health to help identify if the proposed project is feasible and which types of permits you may need.
Fill out the Presubmission Conference Application and email it to mollie.hurt@lewiscountywa.gov to get started. The application can also be submitted via mail or in person.
Master Site Review (MSR)
The MSR is the first step for development. The planning department will review your proposal and verify that it meets all county zoning and critical areas regulations. This step also identifies what county, state and federal permits are needed for your development. After the MSR has been approved, you can apply for a septic permit, fill & grade permit, building permit, etc. Customers regularly have questions about whether a lot is buildable for the purposes of sale or purchase, or for challenging the tax assessment of the property - please see the Feasibility Study Handout for more information.
Fill out the Master Site Review Application and submit your documentation to the Community Development Office, located at 2025 NE Kresky Ave in Chehalis, or by email.
Site Permitting
If the site you would like to develop needs a site address or establishes a road approach or private road, please submit the appropriate application below. These applications do not require an approved Master Site Review prior to submission.
- Site Address Application – No fee associated
- Road Approach Application
- Private Road Application
Submit your documentation submit your documentation to the Community Development Office, located at 2025 NE Kresky Ave in Chehalis, or by email.
Building / Development Permit Applications
Once your Master Site Review has been approved, you can apply for a building or development permit. If you live within the city limits of Morton, Mossyrock, Toledo, or Pe Ell you do not need to complete a Master Site Review - you will submit the City Approval Form listed below instead.
City Approval Form - For Morton, Mossyrock, Toledo, and Pe Ell Only
Building Permit
For additional information on the new energy code click here.
Other Development Permits
- Mobile Home Placement Application
- Airport Obstruction Zone Application
- Fill & Grade Application
- Flood Plain Development Application
- Fire Protection System Application
Submit your documentation to the Community Development Office, located at 2025 NE Kresky Ave in Chehalis, or by email. The fees for these permits will be determined based on the proposed project. Use the Permit Fee Estimator to get an estimate of the price of the proposed project.
Septic & Water Permit Applications / Forms
- Septic Permit Application
- Sewer Availability Form
- Water Availability Notification Form – Municipal
- Water Availability Notification Form – Public
- Water System Purveyor Consent Form
- Well Site Inspection Form
Submit your documentation to the Community Development Office, located at 2025 NE Kresky Ave in Chehalis, or by email.
Connecting to Vader or Middle Fork Water / Sewer System
The following forms are used to determine availability of water and sewer within Lewis County unincorporated areas and is processed through Community Development.
Submit your documentation to the Community Development Office, located at 2025 NE Kresky Ave in Chehalis, or by email.
Public Works Applications
- Stormwater Permit Application
- Road Plan Review Application
- Road Standards Deviation Application
- Reduced Right-of-Way Setback Application
- Road Approach Application
- Other PW Forms & Documents
Submit your documentation to the Community Development Office, located at 2025 NE Kresky Ave in Chehalis, or by email.
Administrative Applications
Administrative Applications are Type I and II land use permits that may be needed for a development depending on zoning regulations. These applications are identified during the Master Site Review process. Approval of Administrative Applications are made by staff.
- Administrative Variance Application
- Administrative Approval Application
- Administrative Reduction Application
- Administrative Appeal Form
Submit your documentation to the Community Development Office, located at 2025 NE Kresky Ave in Chehalis, or by email.
Special Use / Binding Site Plan Applications
Special Use Permits, Binding Site Plans and Variances are Type III land use permits that may be needed for a development depending on zoning regulations. These applications are identified during the Master Site Review process. A recommendation of approval is made by staff to the Hearings Examiner where a final decision is made during a public hearing.
- Special Use Application
- Special Use Application – Mining
- Binding Site Plan Application
- Variance Application
Submit your documentation to the Community Development Office, located at 2025 NE Kresky Ave in Chehalis, or by email.
Land Divisions
“Division” or “division of land” means a subdivision, short subdivision or large lot subdivision not otherwise exempt or provided for as a lot(s) of record within this title, which alters the legal description of any lot, tract, parcel, or portion thereof.
Boundary Line Adjustment (Type I):
A process for the purpose of alteration of parcels by adjusting boundary lines which does not create any additional lot, tract, parcel, site, or division and does not create a resulting lot, tract, parcel, site, or division containing insufficient area and dimension to meet minimum requirements for width and area of the zone.
Simple Segregation – Alternative Process for Large Lot Subdivision (Type I):
A simple segregation is the creation of up to four tracts, five acres in size or larger, leaving no tract less than five acres in size. Lots within a simple segregation shall meet the minimum lot size of the underlying zoning district. This is an alternate process to facilitate the occasional segregation of a tract of land, meeting the requirements in LCC Section 16.12.520. Simple segregations are not reviewed for critical areas, water, septic or road construction, and have not been reviewed for the creation of a buildable lot.
Land Division Application – Short Plat, Large Lot Subdivision, or Long Plat Subdivision.
Subdivision (Long Plat – Type III): The division of land into five or more lots, when at least one of which is less than five acres in size, in compliance with RCW 58.17.030 as amended and LCC Chapter 16.05.
Short Subdivision (Short Plat – Type I): The division of land into four lots or fewer, at least one of which is less than five acres in size, in compliance with RCW 58.17 as amended and LCC Chapter 16.10.
Large Lot Subdivision (Type I): The division of land into two of more lots, when lots are less than 20 acres in size, of which no lot is less than five acres, and in compliance with LCC Chapter 16.12.
Submit your documentation to the Community Development Office, located at 2025 NE Kresky Ave in Chehalis, or by email.
SEPA
The State Environmental Policy Act Checklist (SEPA) is an environmental review which may be required for some development applications. SEPAs are published in the paper of record and may have a public notice posted on the site. The typical SEPA has a 14-day public comment period and a 7 day appeal period. If your development needs a SEPA review it will be identified during the Master Site Review process.
Submit your documentation to the Community Development Office, located at 2025 NE Kresky Ave in Chehalis, or by email.
JARPA
The Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Application (JARPA) is used for all projects located within a Shoreline Jurisdiction. The JARPA is used for Shoreline Exemption, Substantial Development, Conditional Use and Variance applications. If your development requires a Shoreline Permit it will be identified during the Master Site Review process.
Submit your documentation to the Community Development Office, located at 2025 NE Kresky Ave in Chehalis, or by email.
Rezones & UGA Amendments
Private properties owners may request a change to the zoning designation on their property if the change can meet the approval criteria of Lewis County Code 17.12.110. Please note, changing a resource land designation – ARL, FRL or MRL – can only happened during a comprehensive update of all resource land designations. Only cities or the county may propose an amendment to an urban growth area (UGA) boundary; private property owners may not request a UGA amendment.
If you have questions about rezoning a property or making changes to the Urban Growth Area boundaries, contact Mindy Brooks at mindy.brooks@lewiscountywa.gov or call 360-740-2610.
Submit your documentation to the Community Development Office, located at 2025 NE Kresky Ave in Chehalis, or by email.
Additional Applications
- Burn Permit Application
- No Shooting Zones Form
- Music Festival Application
- Wireless Communication Facility Application
Submit your documentation to the Community Development Office, located at 2025 NE Kresky Ave in Chehalis, or by email.