What types of proposals are categorically exempt?
Certain proposals are exempt because they are of the size or type to be unlikely to cause a significant adverse environmental impact. Examples include minor new construction, such as, four dwelling units or less, commercial buildings with 4,000 square feet or less, and minor road and street improvements. Other exemptions include enforcement and inspection activities, issuing business licenses, storm/water/sewer lines eight inches or less, etc. Some proposals are exempt by statute, regardless of environmental impact.
Certain proposals are exempt because they are of the size or type to be unlikely to cause a significant adverse environmental impact. Examples include minor new construction, such as, four dwelling units or less, commercial buildings with 4,000 square feet or less, and minor road and street improvements. Other exemptions include enforcement and inspection activities, issuing business licenses, storm/water/sewer lines eight inches or less, etc. Some proposals are exempt by statute, regardless of environmental impact. Q: What are “flexible thresholds”? A: The SEPA Rules allow the counties and cities to raise the exemption levels to the maximum specified in the SEPA Rules. These flexible threshold levels allow the counties and cities to determine what level of exemption is appropriate for their jurisdiction. For example, 20 dwelling units in a large city would not have the same impact as they would in a rural community. So the large city may set the exemption at the maximum level of 20 un
