Wash. Rev. Code » Title 58 · Chapter 58.17
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 58.17.020 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026
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As used in this chapter, unless the context or subject matter clearly requires otherwise, the words or phrases defined in this section shall have the indicated meanings.
(1) "Binding site plan" means a drawing to a scale specified by local ordinance which: (a) Identifies and shows the areas and locations of all streets, roads, improvements, utilities, open spaces, and any other matters specified by local regulations; (b) contains inscriptions or attachments setting forth such appropriate limitations and conditions for the use of the land as are established by the local government body having authority to approve the site plan; and (c) contains provisions making any development be in conformity with the site plan.
(2) "Block" is a group of lots, tracts, or parcels within well defined and fixed boundaries.
(3) "Clear and objective design and development standards" means locally adopted development regulations that involve no personal or subjective judgment by a public official, and are ascertainable by reference to measurable written or graphic criteria available and knowable to the permit applicant, the public, and public officials prior to submittal.
(4) "County auditor" shall be as defined in chapter 36.22 RCW or the office or person assigned such duties under a county charter.
(5) "County commissioner" shall be as defined in chapter 36.32 RCW or the body assigned such duties under a county charter.
(6) "County road engineer" shall be as defined in chapter 36.40 RCW or the office or person assigned such duties under a county charter.
(7) "County treasurer" shall be as defined in chapter 36.29 RCW or the office or person assigned such duties under a county charter.
(8) "Dedication" is the deliberate appropriation of land by an owner for any general and public uses, reserving to himself or herself no other rights than such as are compatible with the full exercise and enjoyment of the public uses to which the property has been devoted. The intention to dedicate shall be evidenced by the owner by the presentment for filing of a final plat or short plat showing the dedication thereon; and, the acceptance by the public shall be evidenced by the approval of such plat for filing by the appropriate governmental unit.
A dedication of an area of less than two acres for use as a public park may include a designation of a name for the park, in honor of a deceased individual of good character.
(9) "Final plat" is the final drawing of the subdivision and dedication prepared for filing for record with the county auditor and containing all elements and requirements set forth in this chapter and in local regulations adopted under this chapter.
(10) "Lot" is a fractional part of divided lands having fixed boundaries, being of sufficient area and dimension to meet minimum zoning requirements for width and area. The term shall include tracts or parcels.
(11) "Parent lot" means a residential lot that is subdivided into unit lots through the unit lot subdivision process.
(12) "Planning commission" means that body as defined in chapter 36.70, 35.63, or 35A.63 RCW as designated by the legislative body to perform a planning function or that body assigned such duties and responsibilities under a city or county charter.
(13) "Plat" is a map or representation of a subdivision, showing thereon the division of a tract or parcel of land into lots, blocks, streets and alleys, or other divisions and dedications.
(14) "Preliminary plat" is a neat and approximate drawing of a proposed subdivision showing the general layout of streets and alleys, lots, blocks, and other elements of a subdivision consistent with the requirements of this chapter. The preliminary plat shall be the basis for the approval or disapproval of the general layout of a subdivision.
(15) "Short plat" is the map or representation of a short subdivision.
(16) "Short subdivision" is the division or redivision of land into four or fewer lots, tracts, parcels, sites, or divisions for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership. However, the legislative authority of any city or town may by local ordinance increase the number of lots, tracts, or parcels to be regulated as short subdivisions to a maximum of nine. The legislative authority of any county planning under RCW 36.70A.040 that has adopted a comprehensive plan and development regulations in compliance with chapter 36.70A RCW may by ordinance increase the number of lots, tracts, or parcels to be regulated as short subdivisions to a maximum of nine in any urban growth area.
(17) "Subdivision" is the division or redivision of land into five or more lots, tracts, parcels, sites, or divisions for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership, except as provided in subsection (16) of this section.
(18) "Unit lot" means a subdivided lot within a residential development as created from a parent lot and approved through the unit lot subdivision process.
(19) "Unit lot subdivision" means a subdivision or short subdivision proposed as part of a residential development project that meets the development standards applicable to the parent lot at the time the application is vested, but which may result in development on one or more individual unit lots becoming nonconforming as to specified land use and development standards based on the analysis of the individual unit lot. By June 30, 2026, all unit lot subdivisions shall require notification to purchasers of their legal status as further described in RCW 58.17.060.
[ 2025 c 271 s 1; 2002 c 262 s 1; 1995 c 32 s 2; 1983 c 121 s 1. Prior: 1981 c 293 s 2; 1981 c 292 s 1; 1969 ex.s. c 271 s 2.]

Notes:

Reviser's note: The definitions in this section have been alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k).
Severability—1981 c 293: See note following RCW 58.17.010.
Camping resort contracts—Nonapplicability of certain laws to—Resort not subdivision except under city, county powers: RCW 19.105.510.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 62 cases (8 in the last 5 years), 1971–2025 · leading case: Knight v. City of Yelm, 267 P.3d 973 (Wash. 2011).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
Knight v. City of Yelm, 267 P.3d 973 (Wash. 2011). · cites it 6× “RCW 58.17.020, .030. ¶ 13 Subdivision approval proceeds in two steps—preliminary plat [6] approval and final plat [7] approval.”
Noble Manor Co. v. Pierce Cnty., 943 P.2d 1378 (Wash. 1997). · cites it 4× “033 states: (1) A proposed division of land, as defined in RCW 58.17.020[ [4] ], shall be considered under the subdivision or short subdivision ordinance, and zoning or other land use control ordinances, in effect on the land at the time a fully completed application for…”
Noble Manor Co. v. Pierce Cnty., 133 Wash. 2d 269 (Wash. 1997). · cites it 4× “033 states: (1) A proposed division of land, as defined in RCW 58.17.020,[ 4 ] shall be considered under the subdivision or short subdivision ordinance, and zoning or other land use control ordinances, in effect on the land at the time a fully completed application for…”
Hollis v. Garwall, Inc., 974 P.2d 836 (Wash. 1999). · cites it 2× “RCW 58.17.020. Applying the definitions set forth in the statute to the document involved here leads us to conclude that the “Short Plat 79-80 by Survey” is a plat, as defined by RCW 58.”
Friends of the Law v. King Cy., 869 P.2d 1056 (Wash. 1994). · cites it 4× “17 provides statutory definitions of "plat”, "preliminary plat” and "final plat” and provides that these definitions apply "unless the context or subject matter clearly requires otherwise”.”
HJS Dev., Inc. v. Pierce Cnty., 61 P.3d 1141 (Wash. 2003). “RCW 58.17.020(4). RCW 58.17.100; Norco Constr.”
Henderson Homes, Inc. v. City of Bothell, 877 P.2d 176 (Wash. 1994). · cites it 2× “020 supplements RCW 58.17.020, and therefore, a writ of review must be brought within 30 days.”
Hewson Constr., Inc. v. Reintree Corp., 685 P.2d 1062 (Wash. 1984). · cites it 2× “020(3), an owner may dedicate land to the public in conjunction with developing a subdivision: The intention to dedicate shall be evidenced by the owner by the presentment for filing of a final plat or short plat showing the dedication thereon; and, the acceptance by the public…”
Chelan Cnty. v. Nykreim, 52 P.3d 1 (Wash. 2002). “040(6) provides: "A division made for the purpose of alteration by adjusting boundary lines, between platted or unplatted lots or both, which does not create any addition lot, tract, parcel, site, or division nor create any lot, tract, parcel, site, or division which contains…”
Chelan Cnty. v. Nykreim, 146 Wash. 2d 904 (Wash. 2002). “040(6) provides: “A division made for the purpose of alteration by adjusting boundary lines, between platted or unplatted lots or both, which does not create any addition lot, tract, parcel, site, or division nor create any lot, tract, parcel, site, or division which contains…”
Adams v. Thurston Cnty., 855 P.2d 284 (Wash. Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 2× “033 provides: "(1) A proposed division of land, as defined in RCW 58.17.020, shall be considered under the subdivision or short subdivision ordinance, and zoning or other land use control ordinances, in effect on the land at the time a fully completed application for preliminary…”
Crystal Ridge Homeowners Ass'n v. City of Bothell, 343 P.3d 746 (Wash. 2015). · cites it 2× “RCW 58.17.020(3). ¶10 The parties do not dispute that such a statutory dedication of Tract 999’s drainage easement occurred, 3 nor do they dispute that the County accepted this dedication.”
Show all 62 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 58.17.020(1) — 13 cases
Noble Manor Co. v. Pierce Cnty., 943 P.2d 1378 (Wash. 1997). “033 states: (1) A proposed division of land, as defined in RCW 58.17.020[ [4] ], shall be considered under the subdivision or short subdivision ordinance, and zoning or other land use control ordinances, in effect on the land at the time a fully completed application for…”
Noble Manor Co. v. Pierce Cnty., 133 Wash. 2d 269 (Wash. 1997). “033 states: (1) A proposed division of land, as defined in RCW 58.17.020,[ 4 ] shall be considered under the subdivision or short subdivision ordinance, and zoning or other land use control ordinances, in effect on the land at the time a fully completed application for…”
Julian v. City of Vancouver, 161 Wash. App. 614 (Wash. Ct. App. 2011).
Milestone Homes, Inc. v. City of Bonney Lake, 145 Wash. App. 118 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008).
City of Seattle v. Crispin, 71 P.3d 208 (Wash. 2003).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 58.17.020(10) — 1 case
Cape George Land Co., Llc, Apps V. Jefferson Cnty., Resp (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 58.17.020(16) — 1 case
Cape George Land Co., Llc, Apps V. Jefferson Cnty., Resp (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 58.17.020(17) — 1 case
Cape George Land Co., Llc, Apps V. Jefferson Cnty., Resp (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 58.17.020(2) — 5 cases
Hollis v. Garwall, Inc., 974 P.2d 836 (Wash. 1999). “RCW 58.17.020. Applying the definitions set forth in the statute to the document involved here leads us to conclude that the “Short Plat 79-80 by Survey” is a plat, as defined by RCW 58.”
Noble Manor Co. v. Pierce Cnty., 943 P.2d 1378 (Wash. 1997). “033 states: (1) A proposed division of land, as defined in RCW 58.17.020[ [4] ], shall be considered under the subdivision or short subdivision ordinance, and zoning or other land use control ordinances, in effect on the land at the time a fully completed application for…”
Noble Manor Co. v. Pierce Cnty., 133 Wash. 2d 269 (Wash. 1997). “033 states: (1) A proposed division of land, as defined in RCW 58.17.020,[ 4 ] shall be considered under the subdivision or short subdivision ordinance, and zoning or other land use control ordinances, in effect on the land at the time a fully completed application for…”
Friends of the Law v. King Cy., 869 P.2d 1056 (Wash. 1994). “17 provides statutory definitions of "plat”, "preliminary plat” and "final plat” and provides that these definitions apply "unless the context or subject matter clearly requires otherwise”.”
Hollis v. Garwall, Inc., 974 P.2d 836 (Wash. 1999).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 58.17.020(3) — 10 cases
Hewson Constr., Inc. v. Reintree Corp., 685 P.2d 1062 (Wash. 1984). “020(3), an owner may dedicate land to the public in conjunction with developing a subdivision: The intention to dedicate shall be evidenced by the owner by the presentment for filing of a final plat or short plat showing the dedication thereon; and, the acceptance by the public…”
Crystal Ridge Homeowners Ass'n v. City of Bothell, 343 P.3d 746 (Wash. 2015). “RCW 58.17.020(3). ¶10 The parties do not dispute that such a statutory dedication of Tract 999’s drainage easement occurred, 3 nor do they dispute that the County accepted this dedication.”
Kiely v. Graves, 271 P.3d 226 (Wash. 2012).
Donald v. City of Vancouver, 719 P.2d 966 (Wash. Ct. App. 1986).
Pac. Cnty. v. Sherwood Pac., Inc., 567 P.2d 642 (Wash. Ct. App. 1977).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 58.17.020(4) — 9 cases
Knight v. City of Yelm, 267 P.3d 973 (Wash. 2011). “RCW 58.17.020, .030. ¶ 13 Subdivision approval proceeds in two steps—preliminary plat [6] approval and final plat [7] approval.”
HJS Dev., Inc. v. Pierce Cnty., 61 P.3d 1141 (Wash. 2003). “RCW 58.17.020(4). RCW 58.17.100; Norco Constr.”
Friends of the Law v. King Cy., 869 P.2d 1056 (Wash. 1994). “17 provides statutory definitions of "plat”, "preliminary plat” and "final plat” and provides that these definitions apply "unless the context or subject matter clearly requires otherwise”.”
Adams v. Thurston Cnty., 855 P.2d 284 (Wash. Ct. App. 1993). “033 provides: "(1) A proposed division of land, as defined in RCW 58.17.020, shall be considered under the subdivision or short subdivision ordinance, and zoning or other land use control ordinances, in effect on the land at the time a fully completed application for preliminary…”
Loveless v. Yantis, 513 P.2d 1023 (Wash. 1973).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 58.17.020(5) — 2 cases
Knight v. City of Yelm, 267 P.3d 973 (Wash. 2011). “RCW 58.17.020, .030. ¶ 13 Subdivision approval proceeds in two steps—preliminary plat [6] approval and final plat [7] approval.”
Valley Quality Homes, Inc. v. Bodie, 763 P.2d 840 (Wash. Ct. App. 1988).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 58.17.020(6) — 6 cases
Friend v. Friend, 964 P.2d 1219 (Wash. Ct. App. 1998).
City of Seattle v. Crispin, 71 P.3d 208 (Wash. 2003).
City of Seattle v. Crispin, 71 P.3d 208 (Wash. 2003).
Kates v. City of Seattle, 723 P.2d 493 (Wash. Ct. App. 1986).
Sienkiewicz v. Smith, 633 P.2d 905 (Wash. Ct. App. 1981).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 58.17.020(7)(b) — 1 case
Strauss v. City of Sedro-Woolley, 944 P.2d 1088 (Wash. Ct. App. 1997).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 58.17.020(8) — 1 case
Richard Mansor & Toni Mansor v. Jabco, Inc. (Wash. Ct. App. 2021).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 58.17.020(9) — 4 cases
Chelan Cnty. v. Nykreim, 52 P.3d 1 (Wash. 2002). “040(6) provides: "A division made for the purpose of alteration by adjusting boundary lines, between platted or unplatted lots or both, which does not create any addition lot, tract, parcel, site, or division nor create any lot, tract, parcel, site, or division which contains…”
Chelan Cnty. v. Nykreim, 146 Wash. 2d 904 (Wash. 2002). “040(6) provides: “A division made for the purpose of alteration by adjusting boundary lines, between platted or unplatted lots or both, which does not create any addition lot, tract, parcel, site, or division nor create any lot, tract, parcel, site, or division which contains…”
Chelan Cnty. v. Nykreim, 20 P.3d 416 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001).
Chelan Cnty. v. Nykreim, 105 Wash. App. 339 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001).
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