LAND USE APPLICATION CHAPTER 21A.80 SMC
Application for Transfer of Development Rights Sending Site Certification
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Updated 02/05/2020
Department of Community Development
801 228th Avenue SE
Sammamish, WA 98075-9509
Phone: 425-295-0500
Fax: 425-295-0600
Web: www.sammamish.us
www.mybuildingpermit.com
Application for Transfer of Development Rights
Sending Site Certification
The City’s transfer of development rights (TDR) program allows owners of undeveloped or partially
developed properties in certain areas of the City to transfer the development rights of that land to the
Town Center area. These properties must have intact development potential and a potential public
benefit. Pursuant to SMC 21A.080.040, eligible receiving sites include commercial properties in Town
Center A-Zone, and residential properties in Town Center B- and C-Zones.
The City shall be responsible for determining whether properties are eligible to be considered a
“sending site,” and will do so based upon information provided by the applicant.
The City is not involved in the sale of the TDR, the price of which is determined by the buyer and seller.
Upon approval of a TDR Sending Site Certification application, the City will issue a TDR Certificate letter
of intent that will state the following:
1. The number of development rights made available by the sending site.
2. Agreement by the City to issue a corresponding number of TDR certificates in conversion for a
conservation easement granted by the City or the City’s designated agent.
3. A summary of the expected terms of use for the sending site established through
SMC 21A.80.070.
The letter of intent shall have no value and cannot be transferred or used to obtain increased
development rights within receiving areas. The letter of intent shall expire 10 years from the date of
issuance.
As provided by the TDR certificate letter of intent, the City shall issue serially numbered TDR certificates
to the sending site owner upon acceptance of a TDR conservation easement. The City shall have 90
days from the date the conservation easement is offered by the sending site owner in which to
conduct, at its discretion, a review of the sending site records and/or a site inspection.
Applications for TDR sending site certification are Type 1 land use decisions pursuant to SMC
20.05.020. A project guidance (formerly known as “project feasibility”) is required. Pursuant to SMC
20.05.030, a pre-application conference may be required for Type 1 decisions if environmentally
critical areas are present on the site; however, this may be waived following a project guidance
consultation.