Apply for Permits and Check Permit Status Online 

Try our new online service for basic, over-the-counter electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits using MyBuildingPermit.com,  You can also check on the status of any Burien construction or land use permit by going to MyBuildingPermit.com and clicking on "Permit Research".  You'll be able to see city review activities, who's reviewing the permit, any construction conditions that must be met as well as all inspections on the project.  Another handy feature is a list of all permits issued on the same parcel of land.  Coming soon will be status for sign permits and right-of-way permits.  We hope you will find this free service useful.

UPDATED 7-23-08  Proposed Transportation Impact Fee Program

On July 22, 2008, the Burien Planning Commission recommended approval of an amendment to the Burien Zoning Code establishing a transportation impact fee program.  The proposed amendment is a culmination of a year-long study of a program which would allow the City to assess, collect and use impact fees to pay for transportation facilities needed to accommodate growth.  Impact fees are an optional funding element allowed under the Washington State Growth Management Act, but must be used to mitigate development impacts related to new development.  The projects used to develop the proposed fee and a proposed schedule of impact fees are included in the ordinance as Attachments A and B.  The proposed impact fee program will be reviewed by the City Council at their August 11th meeting.  Check the Council Agendas page for the meeting agenda and Council packet information, when published.  For more information, please contact Chip Davis, Planner at (206) 248-5501 or chipd@burienwa.gov. 

Neighborhood Matching Fund Grant Program

This new grant program is available to Burien citizens for lasting physical neighborhood improvements.  The City provides cash, up to $5,000 per project, and the neighborhood matches the City's contribution with volunteer labor, donated materials or professional services, or cash.  Examples of eligible projects include neighborhood identification signs, public art, tree plantings or a basketball hoop.  See Neighborhood Matching Fund Information Sheet for more information about this grant program. 

Final Environmental Impact Statement For Emerald Pointe on the Sound Issued

The City of Burien has released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed "Emerald Pointe on the Sound" project.  Proposed by Westmark Development, Emerald Pointe is a 178 to 200-unit condominium project located at 13401 12th Avenue SW.   The FEIS is available for free here or for viewing at Burien City Hall (15811 Ambaum Blvd. SW, Suite C) or Burien Library (14700 6th Av. SW) during regular business hours.  You can also purchase a copy of the FEIS at cost at Roadrunner Copy (120 SW 153rd St.) at cost: $45 + tax for a printed version or $14 + tax for a CD.  For more information, please contact the Dept. of Community Development at (206) 248-5510. 

NEW 7-23-08 Public Hearing Scheduled on Proposed North Highline Annexation

The Washington State Boundary Review Board for King County will hold a public hearing on the City of Burien's proposed annexation of a portion of the North Highline Unincorporated Area.  The hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 2nd at 7:00 p.m. at the Riverside Residences Inn, 11244 Tukwila International Blvd., Seattle in the room behind the main building at the Inn.  A second hearing on September 4th has been set aside if needed.  For more information about the hearing, please contact the Boundary Review Board at 206-296-6800.  The summary report and proposed annexation boundaries are available on the Boundary Review Board website.  For more information, see our North Highline Annexation page. 

UPDATED 7-23-08  Shoreline Advisory Committee Meeting 

Burien's Shoreline Master Program Advisory Committee met on Wednesday, July 9.  This was the third in a series of the meetings to complete the various phases of the Shoreline Master Program update process. The meetings are open to the public. See agenda.

March 12, 2008 Shoreline Advisory Committee Meeting #1 Summary (19 KB PDF file)

NEW June 11, 2008 Shoreline Advisory Committee Meeting #2 Summary (8 KB PDF file)  

Shoreline Open House Summary 

The City hosted a community open house on May 14th at Gregory Heights Elementary School to discuss Burienís shorelines.  More than 70 citizens listened to presentations on the Shoreline Master Program update process and an overview of the existing conditions of our shorelines.  Following the presentations the meeting was broken into smaller, facilitated groups, enabling citizens to engage in detailed discussions and share concerns and desires regarding our shorelines.  The meeting then reconvened and representatives of the individual groups shared their lists with the entire audience.  Comment summaries, presentation materials and handouts are available by clicking on the links provided below.

Discussion Group Summary (34 KB PDF file)

The following documents were available at the open house:

Meeting Agenda (30 KB PDF file)

Burien Open House Presentation (197 KB PDF file)

Shoreline Master Program Tasks and Schedule (15 KB PDF file)

Shoreline Master Program Relationship to GMA, Diagram (11 KB PDF file)

Shoreline Master Program Background and History (DOE publication), (25 KB PDF file)

History of Washingtonís Shoreline Management Act & Regulatory Guidelines, Timeline Chart (DOE Publication), (17 KB PDF file)

Introduction to Washingtonís Shoreline Management Act (DOE publication), (83 KB PDF file)

Water Hero Handout (678 KB PDF file)

Where the Water Begins, Workshop Notice (King County Conservation District), (2.4 MB PDF file)

Burien Shoreline Inventory Completed

The City has completed an inventory of its shorelines, one of the tasks in updating our Shoreline Master Program. The inventory compiles a significant amount of data Burienís Shoreline Advisory Committee will use during the Shoreline Master Program update process.  A link to the inventory report (minus maps and figures) is included below.  A link to Figure 1, the Draft Shoreline Jurisdiction Map showing Burien's shorelines is also included below.  The remaining figures and maps (which are too large to include here) may be viewed at City Hall.

Draft Burien Shoreline Inventory (730 KB PDF file)

Figure 1: Draft Burien Shoreline Jurisdiction Map (1.6 MB PDF file)

The Shoreline Advisory Committee met for the first time on March 12, 2008 . A summary of the inventory was presented and the committee began the process of identifying issues and opportunities related to the Burien shorelines.  Shoreline Advisory Committee Membership List (7 KB PDF File)

Under the State Shoreline Management Act each city and county with "shorelines of the state" must adopt a Shoreline Master Program (SMP) that is based on state laws and rules but tailored to the specific geographic, economic and environmental needs of the community. State law requires Burien to update its' current SMP on or before December 1, 2009 . The City was awarded a $117,000 grant from the State Dept. of Ecology for this work.  The City and its consultants have started work on the update.  

For more information, please check this website or contact David Johanson, Senior Planner at davidj@burienwa.gov or (206) 248-5522. 

Use Your Credit Card to Pay For Many Types of Permits and Licenses 

As a convenience to our customers, we have begun accepting Visa and MasterCard credit cards (not debit cards) for permit and license fee payments up to $2,000.  For more information, please contact our Permit Technicians at (206) 248-5520.

Draft Puget Sound Flood Hazard Zone Study Now Available 

The City's Draft Flood Hazard Zone Study is complete.  The draft report has been submitted to FEMA for their review and approval.  The technical report can be viewed by clicking here (2 MB pdf file).  Due to their size, the appendices are not available on the website.  You can view the appendices or request a CD of the full report at Burien City Hall.  The draft report and appendices cannot be used for insurance, construction or design purposes until approved by FEMA.  For more information about the study keep checking here or contact the Department of Community Development at (206) 248-5510 or susanc@burienwa.gov.