The County encourages community members to join the conversation set for Wednesday, September 30 at 6:00 p.m.
||| FROM SAN JUAN COMMUNICATIONS |||
San Juan County is updating its critical areas protections, also referred to as the Critical Areas Ordinance (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 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 jurisdiction.
The final draft of the updated regulation 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/
OR
Dial in by phone
+1 360-726-3293,685490900# United States, Vancouver
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 Update
The final draft of the updated regulations are now available for public comment. You can access the documents on the County Website at: https://engage.
The proposed SMP amendments are available online at: https://www.sanjuancountywa.
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
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