Critical Areas Ordinance

Jefferson County is in the process of completing its updates to the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) as part of its state-mandated periodic review of the Comprehensive Plan and implementing regulations under the state Growth Management Act. Best available science documents, meeting agendas and other background material is available by visiting our CAO background information files.

Notice is hereby published that on March 10, 2020, the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance 05-0310-20, an Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Chapter 18.22 of the Jefferson County Code, known as the Critical Areas Ordinance, and Amending Chapter 18.10, Chapter 18.20 and Section 18.30.180, which was published to the Jefferson County website at http://test.co.jefferson.wa.us/weblinkexternal/0/doc/2336517/Page1.aspx on March 11, 2020.

Jefferson County believes the publication of these three ordinances on the Jefferson County website satisfies the publication requirements of RCW 36.70A.290(2)(b) and WAC 242-03-220(1). This notice is being published in this newspaper of general circulation to remove any doubt of publication, and to ensure satisfaction of the publication requirements of RCW 36.70A.290(2)(b) and WAC 242-03-220(1).

Critical Areas Ordinance Update

Jefferson County has been in the process of updating its CAO, which is located in Chapter 18.22 of the Unified Development Code, since 2014 and draft revisions began in 2016. With the passage of Resolution 17-19, the CAO updates were completed with the help of a regulatory reform task force. See below for information on that task force.

On February 3, 2020, the Planning Commission transmitted to the Board of County Commissioners its findings and recommendations on the draft CAO. That transmittal includes the draft CAO and can be viewed by clicking HERE.

On March 2, 2020 The Board of County Commissioners held a Public Hearing on the proposed ordinance repealing and replacing Chapter 18.22 of the Jefferson County Code, known as the critical areas ordinance (CAO).. 

Visit this page often to keep track of briefings and public hearings at the Planning Commission and by the Board of County Commissioners. The updated CAO final adoption is scheduled to occur at the end of February 2020.

To access the Planning Commission or Board of County Commissions supporting documents on this project, visit the links below:

Regulatory Reform Task Force

On March 25, 2019, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners and the Jefferson County Board of Health adopted a resolution 17-19, a Joint Resolution establishing a Regulatory Reform Program for the County, including directing the Department of Community Development to use the updates to the critical areas ordinance (CAO) as an opportunity to holistically analyze and reform regulations, protect the environment, and create efficient development practices and permitting paths. On July 8, 2019, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution, 35-19, establishing and appointing members to a Jefferson County Critical Areas Regulatory Reform Task Force to advise the County with recommendations as the County finalizes drafting updates to the CAO. The Task Force is authorized to discuss and collectively recommend refinements to the policy, regulations, and environmental standards in the existing draft of the CAO update, for potential inclusion in a revised draft CAO update.

The Critical Areas Regulatory Reform Task Force has completed its review with most of their efforts concentrated on agricultural activities and protection of critical areas. The Task Force was unable to review and make recommendations on all critical area types. It will deliver its recommendations to the Department of Community Development, with copies to the Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners, on or about December 18, 2019. The Task Force has dissolved and will no longer be meeting.

Supporting Links

Supporting Task Force Documents

All documents related to the CAO RR Task Force can be found on LaserFiche, the County’s document archive, HERE: