The Subdivision Exemption Request Form (Form S28) is the King County Department of Local Services, Permitting Division, form that a property owner uses to ask the county to recognize or segregate parcels as separate lots under an exemption in KCC 19A.08.040. It identifies the parcel by its King County tax lot number, but it is a permitting request rather than a King County property tax form. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the county publishes the original PDF and receives the request at its Renton permitting office.
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What is S28?
The Subdivision Exemption Request Form (Form S28) is the King County Permitting Division form on which a property owner asks the county to recognize or segregate parcels as separate lots under the subdivision exemptions in KCC 19A.08.040(A-I).
The document has two pages. Page one holds the Subdivision Exemption Request Instructions. Page two is the form itself, headed with the Department of Local Services, Permitting Division address at 919 SW Grady Way, Suite 300, Renton WA, 98057. Its reference line reads "Segregation of King County Tax Lot per KCC 19A.08.040(A-I), Exemptions of Subdivisions and Short Subdivisions." The owner encloses separate legal descriptions and supporting documentation for the tax lot(s) and asks the county to recognize or segregate the parcel(s) into separate lots under the appropriate exemption category (A-I). The owner also states that all potential separate lots under KCC 19A.08.070, Separate Lots, are included in the request and that all eligible subdivision exemptions under KCC 19A.08.040 are disclosed and established with it.
The instructions explain that several exemptions let property owners create, or have recognized, new parcels outside the subdivision process. Testamentary Division, Exempt Forty (40) Acre Segregation and Public Agency Segregation are listed under KCC 19A.08.040. Determination of Legal Lot Status, Determination of Innocent Purchaser Status and Boundary Line Adjustments are marked as having their own instructions and application forms.
The instructions also warn that obtaining legal lot status through any of these processes does not imply or guarantee that the new parcel is buildable or ready for development.
Who needs to file S28?
Property owners who want to create, or have recognized, new parcels outside the subdivision process under an exemption allowed by KCC 19A.08.040 use this form. The King County instructions say that anyone requesting such an exemption should complete the Subdivision Exemption Request form on page two. The form is signed by the owner (the signature line reads "Signature of Owner"), and it asks for the King County tax lot number of the parcel as shown on the Assessor's Map.
Do not use this form for the processes the instructions mark as having separate instructions and application forms:
- Determination of Legal Lot Status (KCC 19A.08.070);
- Determination of Innocent Purchaser Status (KCC 19A.08.090);
- Boundary Line Adjustments (KCC 19A.08.040 & 19A.28).
Those forms are available at www.kingcounty.gov/permits or by calling 206-296-6600.
Do not treat the request as a building approval either. Legal lot status does not make a parcel buildable; a specific development needs Health approval and the permit processes that allow it.
When to file S28
File Form S28 when you are requesting an exemption from the subdivision process allowed under KCC 19A.08.040 and have the supporting material ready to submit with it. The form and its instructions print no deadline of their own, and no filing window or renewal period applies to it.
The request goes in as one package: the signed form, the descriptions and purchase documents, the signed Certification of Applicant Status, the current Assessor's map, the Title Report and the current deposit. Because the deposit is paid with the request, check the current fee schedule before you submit. For questions about the request or the enclosed statement, the instructions give the Permitting Division phone number, 206-296-6600.
Documents you need
- A signed copy of the Certification of Applicant Status form, included with the application as the instructions require.
- The legal description and the common description for each piece of property you believe is legally segregated (Paragraph 1 of the instructions).
- All documents related to the purchase of the property: court decisions, agreements, purchase and sale agreements, real estate contracts and/or advertising representations by the seller that show separate parcels.
- The subsection of the code that applies to your exemption, stated with the request.
- A copy of the current King County Assessor's map showing the tax lot.
- A current Title Report covering the subject property, disclosing encumbrances on the lots, the deed history and the tax history of the property.
How to fill out S28
Confirm this is the right form
Use Form S28 only for an exemption from the subdivision process allowed under KCC 19A.08.040. Legal lot status, innocent purchaser status and boundary line adjustments use separate forms.
Enter the applicant name and tax lot
On page two, write the Applicant Name and the Tax Lot No. The instructions require the tax lot number, which you find on the Assessor's Map.
Enter contact and address details
Complete Phone, E-mail, Address, City, State and Zip for the applicant.
Name the exemption category
In the request paragraph, enter the appropriate exemption category (A-I) under KCC 19A.08.040 and the description of the supporting documentation where the form leaves a blank.
Prepare the legal and common descriptions
For Paragraph 1, attach the legal and common description for each piece of property you believe is legally segregated, and state the code subsection that applies to your exemption.
Gather the purchase documents
Attach all documents related to the purchase: court decisions, agreements, purchase and sale agreements, real estate contracts and/or seller advertising that show separate parcels.
Add the title report and map
Enclose the current Title Report, which covers the property and discloses encumbrances, deed history and tax history, and a copy of the current King County Assessor's map.
Attach the Certification of Applicant Status
Include a signed copy of the Certification of Applicant Status form with the application.
Sign and date the request
The owner signs on the Signature of Owner line and enters the Date.
Review and download the PDF
Check that the tax lot number, category and attachments match, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Assemble the package with the deposit and submit it as described under How to submit.
How to submit S28
Submit the completed request and its attachments to the King County Department of Local Services, Permitting Division. The instructions name one destination and no online channel.
- Address: Department of Local Services, Permitting Division, 919 SW Grady Way, Suite 300, Renton WA, 98057. The form does not say whether delivery is by mail or in person.
- Phone: 206-296-6600, for questions about the request or the enclosed statement, and for alternate formats of the form.
- Deposit: send the current deposit together with the material. The form does not print the amount; the instructions point to "Subdivision Miscellaneous" under Permit Fee Estimates on the Permitting Web site at www.kingcounty.gov/permits.
The package should hold the signed Subdivision Exemption Request Form, the legal and common descriptions, the purchase-related documents, a signed Certification of Applicant Status form, a copy of the current Assessor's map and the current Title Report. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving out the tax lot number; the instructions say you must include it, as shown on the Assessor's Map.
- Omitting the signed Certification of Applicant Status form, which the instructions say must accompany the application.
- Not stating which subsection of the code applies to your exemption.
- Sending the request without the current Assessor's map or without a current Title Report.
- Submitting the material without the current deposit that the instructions say goes in with it.
- Using this form for Determination of Legal Lot Status, Determination of Innocent Purchaser Status or a Boundary Line Adjustment, which have their own application forms.
- Treating legal lot status as proof that the parcel is buildable; Health approval and the permit processes for a specific development are still required.
- Leaving the owner's signature and date blank on page two.
Frequently asked questions
What is the King County Subdivision Exemption Request Form?
Form S28 is the request an owner submits to the King County Permitting Division to have parcels recognized or segregated into separate lots under the exemptions in KCC 19A.08.040(A-I). It goes with legal descriptions, purchase documents, a Title Report and the current Assessor's map.
Is Form S28 a King County property tax form?
No. It is a permitting request issued by the Department of Local Services, Permitting Division, to segregate a tax lot under the subdivision code. It asks for the tax lot number and encloses a Title Report with tax history, but nothing on it concerns paying or reporting property tax.
Does an approved exemption make my parcel buildable?
No. The instructions say that using an exemption process to obtain legal lot status does not imply or guarantee that the new parcel is buildable or ready for development. You still need Health approval and the permit processes that allow a specific development.
Which exemption requests need a different form?
Determination of Legal Lot Status (KCC 19A.08.070), Determination of Innocent Purchaser Status (KCC 19A.08.090) and Boundary Line Adjustments (KCC 19A.08.040 & 19A.28) have their own instructions and forms, available at www.kingcounty.gov/permits or by calling 206-296-6600.
What do I attach to the Subdivision Exemption Request Form?
Attach the legal and common descriptions, all purchase-related documents showing separate parcels, a signed Certification of Applicant Status, the current Assessor's map and the current Title Report. State the code subsection of your exemption, and include the tax lot number on the form.
Is there a fee to submit Form S28?
Yes, the instructions call for the current deposit to be submitted with the request. The form does not print the amount; see "Subdivision Miscellaneous" under Permit Fee Estimates at www.kingcounty.gov/permits, or call 206-296-6600.
Where do I send the subdivision exemption request?
Send it to the Department of Local Services, Permitting Division, 919 SW Grady Way, Suite 300, Renton WA, 98057, with the supporting material and the current deposit. The form gives no other channel; call 206-296-6600 with questions.
Can I fill out Form S28 online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit the request to King County; you deliver it to the Permitting Division yourself.
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