Whatcom County is Updating the Critical Areas Ordinance
What is a Critical Areas Ordinance?
The Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO), found in Whatcom County Code Chapter 16.16, is a set of land use regulations that establish development standards for properties with regulated critical areas, including: Geologically Hazardous Areas, Frequently Flooded Areas, Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas (CARAs), Wetlands, Fish & Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas (streams, ditches, areas with priority species, etc.), and properties with critical areas and ongoing agricultural activities.
What is the Purpose of the Critical Areas Ordinance?
The purpose of the CAO is to maintain harmonious relationships between human activity and the natural environment. The CAO implements applicable goals and policies of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan and is required to comply with State requirements under the Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A) by protecting the functions and values of critical areas and the ecological processes that sustain them, while allowing for appropriate, economically beneficial or productive use of land.
What does this update mean?
State law requires Whatcom County to update its CAO every 10 years to incorporate updated standards for critical area regulations made at the State and Federal levels. The update also provides an opportunity to incorporate changes in Best Available Science (BAS) since the last update in 2016, with the purpose of protecting the functions and values of critical areas, safeguarding the public from natural hazards, and updating processes.
Engage with the Process:
You can email comments to [email protected] or provide a comment at the meetings below; please note the dates in this table are still tentative, keep an eye on our 2026 Critical Areas Ordinance Update webpage for more information!
| Tentative Date | Event or Meeting | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 9/29/2026 | Update Presentation to County Council |
Online or Council Chambers at 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225 |
9/30/2026 |
Whatcom County Open House |
County Courthouse at 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225 |
10/8/2026 |
Update Presentation to Planning Commission |
Online or In person at 5280 Northwest Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226 |
10/22/2026 |
Riparian Management Zone Workshop to Planning Commission |
Online or In person at 5280 Northwest Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226 |
11/12/2026 |
Public Hearing on Recommended CAO Amendments to Planning Commission |
Online or In person at 5280 Northwest Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226 |
11/24/2026 |
Introduction of Recommended CAO Amendments to County Council |
Online or In person in Council Chambers at 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225 |
12/8/2026 |
Public Hearing on Final CAO Amendments to County Council |
Online or In person in Council Chambers at 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225 |
What will happen next?
See the infographic for our phased approach to the CAO Update
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
