BILL REQ. #:  S-1174.2 

Read first time 02/11/2003.   Referred to Committee on Land Use & Planning.

     AN ACT Relating to establishing a uniform statewide system of regulating the division of land; amending RCW 58.17.010; and adding a new section to chapter 58.17 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 58.17.010 and 1981 c 293 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     The legislature finds that the process by which land is divided is a matter of state concern and should be administered in a uniform manner by cities, towns, and counties throughout the state. The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the subdivision of land and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare in accordance with standards established by the state to prevent the overcrowding of land; to lessen congestion in the streets and highways; to promote effective use of land; to promote safe and convenient travel by the public on streets and highways; to provide for adequate light and air; to facilitate adequate provision for water, sewerage, parks and recreation areas, sites for schools and schoolgrounds and other public requirements; to provide for proper ingress and egress; to provide for the expeditious review and approval of proposed subdivisions which conform to zoning standards and local plans and policies; to adequately provide for the housing and commercial needs of the citizens of the state; and to require uniform monumenting of land subdivisions and conveyancing by accurate legal description. In order to ensure a statewide system of land division, the legislature intends to occupy the field and preempt local ordinances that conflict with, or fail to effectuate, the purposes of this chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 58.17 RCW to read as follows:
     After a preliminary plat of a subdivision has been approved under this chapter, the approval may not be revoked during the period prior to submission and approval or disapproval of the final plat, unless the revocation is found by the legislative body of the county, city, or town, by ordinance or resolution, to be necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety.