1. Each department receiving an application a license or making a proposal will determine if it is exempt. Its determination is final and not subject to review and none of the procedural requirements of this chapter apply. No environmental checklist is required for exempt proposals.

2. Each department will properly define each proposal and identify the permits and licenses required (WAC 197-11-060). If a proposal includes exempt and nonexempt actions, the City will determine the lead agency even if the license is exempt.

3. The City may authorize exempt actions before nonexempt so long as there is no significant adverse impact on the environment and choices are not limited, but may withhold approval which might lead to modification of the physical environment which would serve no purpose if nonexempt action were not approved, or might financially burden a private applicant if nonexempt action were not approved.