Community Meeting to Review and Take Comments on Proposed Amendments to CAO and SMP

Community Meeting on September 30: Review and Take Comments on the Draft Critical Areas Ordinance Update and Proposed SMP Amendments

Join the conversation on Wednesday, September 30, 6 p.m. online

SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. September 18, 2026 – San Juan County is updating its critical areas protections, also referred to as the Critical Areas Ordinance or CAO, and the public is invited to comment on the final draft. The CAO serves as key regulation to ensure that development does not harm water quality, groundwater recharge, wetlands, and some fish and wildlife habitats. The CAO includes regulations for tree protections, water quality buffers, and prescribed development standards within flood zones and geohazards.

Updating the CAO includes updating the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) so that the updated regulations apply in the shoreline.

The final draft of the updated regulations is now available for public comment, and the Department of Community Development (DCD) is holding a community meeting to take feedback and walk residents through the documents.

WHAT: Community meeting to review the final draft of Critical Areas Ordinance Regulations and SMP amendments

WHEN: Wednesday September 30, 2026, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

WHERE: Online via Microsoft Teams link (Available online):

HOW: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/21102944931929?p=5ow4M7kT36qQc1ABYE

OR

Dial in by phone

+1 360-726-3293,685490900# United States, Vancouver

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 685 490 900#

WHO: All residents interested in the County’s updated Critical Areas Ordinance regulations.

WHY: To share information, listen to the community, answer questions, and collect feedback.

Access the Final Draft of Critical Areas Ordinance Regulations and SMP Update

The final draft of the updated regulations is now available for public comment. You can access the documents on the County Website at: https://engage.sanjuancountywa.gov/2026-critical-areas-ordinance-cao-update

Or www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1778/Community-Development

The proposed SMP amendments are available online at: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/2434/SMP-Update-For-CAO

A hard copy of the proposed amendments is available at the Department of Community Development offices at 135 Rhone St. Friday Harbor WA, 98250

Submit comments online or email them to Colin Maycock, Planner IV, at colinm@sanjuancountywa.gov

###