(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the requirements of RCW 8.26.180 through 8.26.200 apply to any agency acquisition of real property for a program or project where the agency's program or project is carried out under threat of eminent domain including amicable agreements. Whether or not the acquiring agency has or intends to use the power of eminent domain, the requirements of RCW 8.26.180 through 8.26.200 apply to any project or program where there is an intended, planned, or designated project area, and all, or substantially all, of the property within that area is eventually intended to be acquired.

(2) Provided it does not conflict with subsection (1) of this section, an agency may determine that the requirements of RCW 8.26.180 through 8.26.200 do not apply to:

(a) Voluntary transactions (defined in WAC 468-100-002(33)) if all of the following conditions are present:

(i) No specific site or property needs to be acquired, although the agency may limit its search for alternative sites to a general geographic area.

(ii) The property to be acquired is not part of an intended, planned, or designated project area where all, or substantially all, of the property within the area is eventually to be acquired.

(iii) The agency will not acquire the property in the event negotiations fail to result in an amicable agreement, and the owner is so informed in writing.

(b) The acquisition of real property from a federal, state, or local public agency, if the acquiring agency does not have the authority to acquire the property through condemnation.

(3) In those situations where an agency wishes to purchase more than one site within a geographic area on a "voluntary transaction" basis, all owners shall be treated similarly.