Updated 01/2012

Critical Areas

Introduction

All cities and counties in Washington are required to adopt critical areas regulations by the Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A.060). The GMA was amended in 1995 to require counties and cities to include the best available science in developing policies and development regulations to protect the functions and values of critical areas (RCW 36.70A.172). All jurisdictions are required to review, evaluate, and, if necessary, revise their critical areas ordinances according to an update schedule. MRSC's page on GMA Plan/Development Regulations Updates provides additional information on the schedule and required updates.

Critical Areas Updates

The following includes materials related to updating critical areas ordinances from cities and counties in Washington State.

Bellevue Critical Areas - Update adopted 06/2006
Clark County Critical Areas Update
Des Moines Critical Area Ordinance Update Complete
San Juan County Critical Areas Ordinance
Sammamish Critical Areas
Seattle Department of Planning and Development Environmentally Critical Areas Overview
Sequim Critical Areas Ordinance Update
Tacoma Critical Areas Preservation Ordinance Update, 2011
Thurston County Critical Areas Update, 2011

State Information

Some of the handbooks and guidance materials are older; however, they provide useful general information for updating critical areas ordinances.

Examples of Regulatory Language for Nearshore and Marine Shoreline Protection, (), prepared for the Puget Sound Action Team by GeoEngineers, 01/2005
Critical Areas Ordinance Implementation Guidebook for Small Cities, Department of Commerce, 02/2007 - Links to guidebook, appendices, and other useful information on critical areas and best available science
Critical Areas Assistance Handbook: Protecting Critical Areas Within the Framework of the Washington Growth Management Act (), Washington State Department of Commerce, Growth Management Services, 11/2003.
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Priority Habitats & Species (PHS) - List of Priority Habitats & Species, including county-specific list, management recommendations, etc.

Best Available Science (BAS)

Under the state GMA, local governments are required to use the best available science when reviewing and revising their policies and regulations on critical areas. The Department of Commerce, Growth Management Services, and the state Department of Ecology have provided helpful guidance on addressing the GMA's best available science requirements.

Critical Areas and Best Available Science Information Page, Washington State Department of Commerce, Growth Management Services. Page includes Critical Areas Assistance Handbook, Appendices, Findings of Fact, and Local Examples
Citations of Recommended Sources of Best Available Science for Designating and Protecting Critical Areas (), Washington State Department of Commerce, Growth Management Services, 03/2002 - Older but still contains some useful reference documents
Best Available Science for Wetlands, Department of Ecology
Local Government BAS Documents
- Bellevue 2005 BAS Review - Streams and Riparian Areas (), Herrera Environmental Consultants, 03/2005
- Black Diamond Sensitive Areas Ordinance Best Available Science Review and Recommendations for Code Update (), Parametrix, 09/2008
- Bremerton Critical Areas Ordinance Best Available Science References ()
- Island County, Best Available Science for Wetlands of Island County (), by Paul R. Adamus, 05/2007
- King County Best Available Science - Links to reports
- Lake Stevens Best Available Science Review and Critical Area Evaluations/Characterizations (), 03/2008
- San Juan County Critical Areas Ordinance - BAS Synthesis, 03/2011
- Thurston County Critical Areas Update, Best Available Science

City Ordinance Provisions

Bainbridge Island Municipal Code Ch. 16.20 - Critical Areas
Bothell Municipal Code Ch. 14.04 - Critical Areas Regulations
Bremerton Municipal Code Ch. 20.14 - Critical Areas*
Ellensburg Land Development Code update – Critical Areas draft, 09/2011
Everett Zoning Code Ch. 37 - Critical Areas
Kent Municipal Code Ch. 11.06 - Critical Areas
Mount Vernon Ordinance No. 3353 - Critical Areas* (), 2007
Mukilteo Municipal Code Ch. 17.52 - Critical Areas*
Olympia Municipal Code Ch. 18.32 - Critical Areas
Port Townsend Municipal Code Ch. 19.05 - Critical Areas*
Redmond Zoning Code Ch. 21.64 - Critical Areas
Shoreline Critical Areas Ordinance Ch. 20.80 ()
Vancouver Ordinance No. M-3692 () - Critical Areas

*Local example recommended by Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, Growth Management Services

County Ordinance Provisions

Cowlitz County Critical Areas
King County Critical Areas, Stormwater, and Clearing and Grading Ordinances
Lewis County Code Chapter 17.35A - Critical Areas
Okanogan County Code Ch. 14.12 - Critical Areas
Skagit County Code Ch. 14.24 () - Critical Areas Ordinance
Spokane County Code Ch. 11.20 - Critical Areas
Whatcom County Code Ch. 16.16 - Critical Areas

Application Forms and Handouts

A few examples of critical areas handouts and application forms are presented here.

Bellevue Critical Areas Handbook ( 60 KB)
Burien Critical Area Review Application ()
Kent Critical Areas Reasonable Use Variance Application ()
Normandy Park Critical Areas Ordinance Citizens Guide (), 2010
Wahkiakum County Critical Areas and Resource Lands Assessment Application ()
Whatcom County Critical Areas Ordinance Handout ()
Woodinville Critical Area Information ().