Per Resolution C-81-23, approved by the Island County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 9, 2024, the Island County Land Use Fee Schedule and Building Fee Schedules will be amended effective Feb. 1, 2024. The amendments will increase the fee schedules per the Consumer Price Index. The fee increases will contribute to the increased and actual costs of equipment, software, staffing, and support efficiencies in processing permits and mapping capabilities.
Send your application and other attachments to PlanningDept@islandcountywa.gov
Planning & Community Development, 1 NE 7th St., Coupeville, WA 98239
Planning & Community Development, 1 NE 6th St., Coupeville, WA 98239
Call 360-679-7339 and ask to schedule a "Land Use Permit submittal appointment" with a planner. Plan for approximately 60 minutes to review and deliver your application.
Process for establishing, that a lot, use or structure lawfully existed prior to the effective date of the Island County Zoning Code. For lots, uses, or structures that would otherwise be out of compliance with the current code.
| Applications | Details |
|---|---|
| Long Plat (see links for Preliminary and Final below) | For the division of land into five (5) or more lots approved pursuant to ICC 16.06. |
| Preliminary Long Plat | A neat and approximate drawing of a proposed subdivision showing the general layout of streets and alleys, lots, blocks and other elements. Used as the basis for the approval or disapproval of the general layout of a subdivision. |
| Final Long Plat | The final drawing of the subdivision and dedication prepared for filing of record with the Island County Auditor, and containing all elements and requirements. |
| Lot Combinations |
| Application | Details |
|---|---|
| Reasonable Use (see links for Type 1 and Type 2 below) | Used to assess the logical or rational use of a specific parcel of land that is encumbered by wetlands and their buffers. This considers the size of the lot, the type of use or structure proposed, and the ability to reduce or mitigate for impacts to the wetland or buffer. |
| Type 1 Reasonable Use | For proposals in which the wetland buffer alteration has not and will not exceed cumulatively 2,800 square feet. |
| Type 2 Reasonable Use | For proposals in which the wetland buffer alteration has or will exceed cumulatively 2,800 square feet. |
| Restoration | Required for unauthorized alterations of a critical area or critical area buffers. The purpose of restoration is to return the critical area or critical area buffer to the condition that predated the unauthorized alteration. |
| Rural Stewardship Plan Application | For proposals seeking to implement a Rural Stewardship Plan for a property in order to be eligible for either a reduction in land use intensity or to qualify for the Public Benefit Rating System program. |
The SEPA review process helps agency decision-makers, applicants, and the public understand how the entire proposal will affect the environment. SEPA can be used to modify or deny a proposal to avoid, reduce, or compensate for probable impacts.
See explanation above for Shoreline Exemption. facilities.Special events means an event occurring at a single location annually or more frequently but in no case more than five (5) times a year.
For information about permit fees, download Island County's land use permit fee schedule (pdf)
Planning & Community Development, 1 NE 7th St., Coupeville, WA 98239
Planning & Community Development, 1 NE 6th St., Coupeville, WA 98239
Call 360-679-7339 and ask to schedule a "Land Use Permit submittal appointment" with a planner. Plan for approximately 60 minutes to review and deliver your application.
Find your zone on Island County's interactive IC Geo Map. Instructions can be found on the opening home page.
Please click this link to be directed to our Land Use Tables. Directions on how to use the tables can be found at the top of the linked page.
You can find this information in the Land Use Tables. Directions on how to use the tables can be found at the top of the page.
The below timeframes begin the date the application is officially deemed complete and only includes the time which the County is actively reviewing the permit. This means if the County is waiting on additional information from an applicant, it could take longer than the times below.
Type I: Type I permits are ministerial and the final determination is made by planning staff. Planners aim for 30 to 60 days but can take up to 120 days.
Type II: Type II permits are administrative, they require the posting of a public notice sign and a 14 to 30 day public comment period depending on permit type. The final determination is made by planning staff. Planners aim for 60 to 90 days but can take up to 120 days.
Type III: Type III permits require a pre-application conference and a community meeting before submittal of the application. They require posting of a public notice sign and a 14-day public comment period. Planning staff issue a recommendation but the final determination is made by the Hearing Examiner after holding a public hearing.
It can take 120 days to get the staff recommendation to the Hearing Examiner. Then about 6 weeks to schedule a date with the Hearing Examiner. The Hearing Examiner issues their decision within 10 days of the hearing.
As a government institution, Island County and its staff cannot endorse any specific private professional. However, for environmental projects, the county maintains a list of Qualified Environmental Consultants. This is a list of professionals who have submitted their qualifications to the Department and have been determined to meet the criteria of ICC 17.02B.060 for "Qualified Professional"