Pullman City Zoning Code
17.175 Application
and Staff Review
The applicant has the responsibility of proving that under the provisions of this Title, they are entitled to the requested action.
17.175.010 Purpose.
This Chapter is to describe the application requirements and staff review procedures for all permits or approvals required by this Title. (Ord. 25-08 §1 (Att. A), 2025; Ord. 87-9 §1, 1987).
17.175.020 Burden of Proof.
The applicant has the responsibility of proving that under the provisions of this Title, they are entitled to the requested action. (Ord. 25-08 §1 (Att. A), 2025; Ord. 87-9 §1, 1987).
17.175.030 Application.
(1) Filing. All applications will be filed with the Department of Community Development unless a state statute or rule requires otherwise. The Department of Community Development will provide the appropriate application form. Application fees as set by Council resolution will be paid to the City at the time of filing the application.
(2) Date of Filing. The Director of Community Development will review all applications and accept for filing only those which include all the information required for the specific application being submitted. The date of filing will be the date the application is accepted as complete. When an Environmental Impact Statement is required or a Proposed Negative Declaration is made pursuant to Chapter 16.39 PCC, Environmental (SEPA) Procedures, the date of filing will be the day on which the Final Environmental Impact Statement is filed by the applicant or the Final Negative Declaration is filed by the Director of Community Development.
(3) Required Material.
(a) The applicant will provide the following information for all applications:
(i) the applicant’s name and address; and
(ii) the owner’s name, address, proof of ownership, and written consent if the applicant is not the owner.
(b) Applicants for changes to the Comprehensive Plan, rezones, conditional use permits, special use permits for historic structures, variances, and townhouse developments will provide the location by address and legal description of the site.
(c) Applicants for conditional use permits, special use permits for historic structures, and variances will provide a plot plan that shows the proposed layout of site development, showing all existing and proposed structures.
(d) Applicants for changes to the Comprehensive Plan, rezones, conditional use permits, special use permits for historic structures, and variances will provide written findings of fact related to the application.
(e) An application fee established pursuant to PCC 17.10.060.
(4) Initiation. The City or a representative thereof, or an owner or authorized agent thereof may file an application relative to a particular property. Applications for text amendments will be initiated only by application of the Director of Community Development, motion of the Commission, or motion of the Council. (Ord. 25-08 §1 (Att. A), 2025; Ord. 21-15 §6, 2021; Ord. 10-9 §1, 2010; Ord. 06-15 §7, 2006; Ord. 03-33 §61, 2003; Ord. 87-9 §1, 1987).
17.175.040 Staff Analysis and Report.
(1) If a public hearing is to be held on an application, the Director of Community Development will visit the site and prepare a staff report, a copy of which will be provided to the applicant and the person or body holding the hearing, and made available to the public before the hearing. The report will contain an analysis of the proposal, including a comparison of the proposal to the criteria and standards contained in this Title for the type of application being reviewed. The report will also contain proposed findings of fact and conclusions. The Director of Community Development will summarize the comments of other divisions or departments, if any, and incorporate them in the staff analysis, or attach them to the report if the comments are lengthy or complex.
(2) If no hearing is to be held on the application, the staff will make written findings and conclusions as to whether the proposal meets the standards and criteria of this Title. This document will be available for public review. (Ord. 25-08 §1 (Att. A), 2025; Ord. 03-33 §62, 2003; Ord. 87-9 §1, 1987).
17.175.050 Staff Decision.
(1) Scope. The following permits and approvals are reviewed under this procedure:
(a) extensions of time for conditional use permits, variances, PRDs, and PUDs;
(b) expansions of approved conditional uses pursuant to PCC 17.125.050;
(c) minor changes to approved site plans which stand alone or are in conjunction with conditional use permits, variances, PRDs, and PUDs;
(d) administrative variances pursuant to PCC 17.130.040;
(e) joint use of parking pursuant to PCC 17.40.070(2);
(f) accessory television or radio aerials, antennas, or transmission towers that are greater than the maximum height restriction of the residential zoning district in which they are to be located but less than 70 feet in height;
(g) such other matters as specifically referred by this Title.
(2) Procedure. The Director of Community Development will make a decision, based upon written findings and conclusions, within 60 days from the date of filing of an application whether to approve, conditionally approve, or deny the application.
(a) Notice. The Director of Community Development will publish notice of the decision in a newspaper of general circulation in the City. Said notice will contain at least the following:
(i) a general description of the proposal and the Director of Community Development’s decision;
(ii) a nonlegal description or map of the location of the property including the street address, if there is one;
(iii) reference to the place where further information is available; and
(iv) a statement that the Director of Community Development’s decision may be appealed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.185 PCC, including a notation as to the date on which the appeal period ends.
(b) Appeal. If a valid appeal is filed within 10 days of the date of publication of the notice described in subsection (2)(a) of this section, then the appeal procedures described in Chapter 17.185 PCC will apply. (Ord. 25-08 §1 (Att. A), 2025; Ord. 03-33 §63, 2003; Ord. 87-9 §1, 1987).