2026 Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) Update

SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. September 16, 2025 – San Juan County is updating its critical areas protections, also referred to as the Critical Areas Ordinance or CAO. The Department of Community Development (DCD) is in the process of reviewing the Best Available Science supplement and the gap analysis – two pieces of information upon which the CAO is based. The public is encouraged to review the documents and provide feedback.

Best Available Science

The term ‘Best Available Science’ refers to the body of scientific work – issued by state agencies – used to establish regulations. View the most recent best available science here.

GAP Analysis

The GAP analysis refers to the analysis of the current critical area protections in the light of the updated scientific information and state guidance to determine where and how the San Juan County Code (SJCC) could be rationalized and restructured to more effectively protect the functions and values of the County’s critical areas, and provide clarity in the administration and application of the County code.

The GAP analysis identifies specific provisions in the County’s regulations that should be changed and, in some cases identifies the changes needed. Review the suggested changes here.

Background

The County is required to protect five different kinds of critical areas and, because the protection regulations are adopted as ordinances, they are known by the generic singular ‘CAO’ or plural term, ‘CAOs’.

All counties, cities, and towns in Washington State planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA) are required to periodically review and update the CAO regulations. San Juan County’s CAO was adopted most recently in 2013 and implemented in 2014. The County needs to update its CAO again to be compliant with GMA standards and be more eligible for certain grant funding. The County's goal is to adopt an updated CAO by March of 2026. Check the County’s Engage webpage for ongoing information: https://engage.sanjuancountywa.gov/2026-critical-areas-ordinance-cao-update

Public Participation

The public has the opportunity to review and ask questions about the best available science, read the proposed changes, and provide comments on the proposed amendments.

The County will host a series of community meetings during the early fall to solicit public feedback. More information, including public participation opportunities, drafts, and hearing dates, will be shared as they become available. Check the project page for details and updates: https://engage.sanjuancountywa.gov/2026-critical-areas-ordinance-cao-update

Questions and comments should be directed to Colin Maycock, Planner IV, at colinm@sanjuancountywa.gov.

About San Juan County’s Department of Community Development

San Juan County’s Department of Community Development is responsible for building permits and inspections, code enforcement, land use designations, long range planning, and more. The department’s main office is located at 135 Rhone Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Community Development, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1778/Community-Development.

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SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. April 24, 2025 – San Juan County is updating its critical areas protections with the support of a consultant team from Facet LLC. The County is required to protect five different kinds of critical areas and, because the protection regulations are adopted as ordinances, they are known by the generic singular ‘CAO’ or plural term, ‘CAOs’.

All counties, cities, and towns in Washington State planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA) are required to periodically review and update the CAO regulations. San Juan County’s CAO was adopted most recently in 2013 and implemented in 2014. The County needs to update its CAO again to be compliant with GMA standards and be more eligible for certain grant funding. The County's goal is to adopt an updated CAO by March of 2026. Check the County’s website for ongoing information: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/2319/2026-Critical-Areas-Ordinance-CAO-Update

The CAO update process includes:

• Implementing a public participation plan (Council was briefed on the plan during the April 22, 2025 meeting)
• Reviewing and incorporating changes in the GMA into the CAO
• Reviewing, updating, and analyzing the relevant scientific data
• Hosting Planning Commission work sessions and hearings
• Presenting at County Council meetings and hearings

What is a ‘Critical Areas Ordinance?’

Critical areas (defined in San Juan County Code 18.20.030) include:

• Critical aquifer recharge areas (CARA) (SJCC 18.35.080)
• Wetlands (SJCC 18.20.230)
• Frequently flooded areas (FFA) (SJCC 18.20.060)
• Areas with geologic hazards (SJCC 18.20.070)
• Certain types of fish and wildlife habitat including marine shorelines, lakes, natural ponds, streams, and habitats associated with particular plants and animals AKA Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas (FWHCA). (SJCC 18.35.115)

The purpose of critical area regulations is to ensure that development does not harm water quality, groundwater recharge, wetlands, and some fish and wildlife habitats. The CAO includes regulations for tree protection zones, water quality buffers, habitat buffers, and prescribed development standards within flood zones and geohazards.

Best Available Science

The term ‘Best Available Science’ refers to the body of scientific work used to establish these regulations. The best available science adopted for the County’s current CAO dates back to 2011. This will be updated as part of the CAO update effort.

The County will draw from updated reports provided by the state agencies to update the best available science that will inform updated regulation in the CAO.

Public Participation

County staff are currently working alongside the consultant to update the best available science and draft new regulations that will meet the Growth Management Act (GMA). The initial draft of the updated goals and policies will be available in June as part of the ongoing Comprehensive Plan update. The first draft of the proposed regulation changes will be available in August of 2025.

At that point, the public will have the opportunity to review and ask questions about the best available science, read the proposed changes, and provide comments on the proposed amendments.

The County will host a series of community meetings during the early fall to solicit public feedback. More information, including public participation opportunities, drafts, and hearing dates, will be shared as they become available. Check the project page for details and updates.

Questions and comments should be directed to Colin Maycock, Planner IV, at colinm@sanjuancountywa.gov.

About San Juan County’s Department of Community Development

San Juan County’s Department of Community Development is responsible for building permits and inspections, code enforcement, land use designations, long range planning, and more. The department’s main office is located at 135 Rhone Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Community Development, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1778/Community-Development.

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SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. November 12, 2024 – San Juan County Department of Community Development invites qualified consultants to review our Request for Proposal (RFP) to update SJC’s Best Available Science and Critical Areas Ordinance in accordance with the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA). All RFP submittals are due Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, and a finalist will be selected by Dec. 20, 2024.

The full RFP is available for download online. The consultant must be available to begin work immediately and have relevant experience including:

• Experience updating Critical Areas Ordinances in Washington state,
• Familiarity with the requirements for 2025 GMA periodic updates, and
• Have a team with planning and scientific expertise.

The update is required by the GMA and will help ensure that the County’s development regulations adequately protect critical areas and reflect the latest and best science available. Questions about this RFP can be directed to Sophia Cassam, Planner III, at 360-370-7589 or sophiac@sanjuancountywa.gov.

Relevant URLs:

• Critical Areas Ordinance Update Request for Proposals – San Juan County
• Current RFPs – San Juan County
• San Juan County Department of Community Development

Media Contact:

Sophia Cassam, Planner III, sophiac@sanjuancountywa.gov, 360-370-7589

About San Juan County’s Department of Community Development

San Juan County’s Department of Community Development is responsible for building permits and inspections, code enforcement, land use designations, long range planning, and more. The department’s main office is located at 135 Rhone Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Community Development, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1778/Community-Development.

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