The following terms apply throughout this chapter and, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:

(1) "Agency" means any state governmental entity.

(2) "Adjudicative proceeding" means a proceeding involving an opportunity for hearing before the board as defined in chapter 34.05 RCW. The terms "appeal," "adjudicative proceeding" and "case" are used interchangeably in this chapter.

(3) "Board" means the shorelines hearings board, a quasi-judicial body created pursuant to chapter 90.58 RCW and described in WAC 461-08-315.

(4) "Date of filing" as used in this chapter and RCW 90.58.140(6) has different meanings depending upon the type of local government decision that is being appealed.

(a) "Date of filing" of a local government's approval or denial of a substantial development permit, or local government's denial of a variance or conditional use permit, is the date of actual receipt by the department of the local government's decision.

(b) "Date of filing" of a local government's approval of a conditional use permit or variance is the date that the department transmits its final decision or order to local government.

(c) For substantial development permits filed simultaneously with approvals of conditional use permits or variances, the "date of filing" is the date that the department transmits its final decision or order on the variance or conditional use permit to local government.

(5) "Department" refers to and means the department of ecology.

(6) "Filing" of a document means actual receipt by the board between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on days other than Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays. The board's date stamp placed on the document shall be evidence of the filing date.

(a) Electronic filing of documents, and fax filing of documents ten pages or less, are permitted, so long as the original document and any required copies are mailed or submitted to a commercial delivery service on the same day. The date and time of receipt will be the date of transmission as indicated by the board's computer or fax machine, unless the transmission is completed after 5:00 p.m. or on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, in which case filing will be the next business day.

(b) Any document filed with the board shall contain an affirmation that copies were served on the appropriate agency, local government and parties.

(7) "Local government" means any county, incorporated city or town which contains within its boundaries any lands or water subject to chapter 90.58 RCW.

(8) "Party" means:

(a) A person to whom any local government or agency decision is specifically directed; or

(b) A person named as a party to the appeal, or allowed to intervene or joined as a party by the board.

(9) "Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, organization, governmental subdivision, agency or entity of any character.

(10) "Petition for review" is a document that when properly filed with the board initiates an adjudicative proceeding before the board.

(11) "Presiding officer" means any member of the board or an administrative appeals judge who is assigned to conduct a conference or hearing by the chairperson or the vice chairperson.

(12) "Service" of a document means delivery of the document to the other parties to the appeal. Service may be made in any of the following ways:

(a) Personally, in accordance with the laws of the state, with a return of service or affidavit of service completed.

(b) First-class, registered or certified mail. Service is complete upon deposit in the United States mail properly stamped and addressed.

(c) Fax transmission with mailing or submission to a commercial delivery service of copies on the same day. Service by fax is regarded as complete by production of the confirmation of transmission and evidence of mailing or submission to a delivery service of the copies.

(d) Commercial delivery service. Service by commercial delivery service is regarded as complete upon delivery to the delivery company with charges prepaid.

(e) Electronic service. Electronic service of documents, other than the appeal document itself, is authorized if the parties agree to electronic service or if authorized by the presiding officer.

PDFWAC 461-08-305

Definitions.