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Significant Natural Resources

The County regulates new development to minimize impacts to Significant Natural Resources through our Community Development Code.
Community Planning coordinates with local and state planning efforts and incorporate public and community-based organization involvement. We maintain the County’s Comprehensive Plan and update the Community Development Code and Community Plans.
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About Significant Natural Resources

Significant Natural Resources provide benefits to our community. These resources include:

  • Land along waterways
  • Water areas
  • Wetlands
  • Fish and wildlife habitats
  • Other areas significant because of their unique features

These areas are mapped in Community Plans for the urban area and in the Rural/Natural Resource Plan for the rural area. Regulation of development in areas with Significant Natural Resources in both the urban and rural areas is governed by the Community Development Code Section 422.

Changes to County plans and regulations

Effective Dec. 5, 2024, County maps and regulations have been updated and apply to proposed development and tree removal in Significant Natural Resources (SNR) areas. These maps and regulations are found in the County’s Comprehensive Framework Plan for the Urban Area (CFP), all Community Plans and the Community Development Code Section 422.


SNR Property Lookup Tool

Click on this map image to go to the SNR Property Lookup tool.
Go to the SNR Property Lookup Tool

The SNR Property Lookup Tool for Washington County’s urban unincorporated area shows Riparian Wildlife and Upland Wildlife Habitat areas where the regulations apply.

Follow these instructions:

  1. Open the lookup tool
  2. Enter the address or tax lot number in the "Find address or place" bar at the top left corner of the map screen.
    • Don't know the address or tax lot number? Search visually by dragging the map and zooming in.
    • There is a legend at the top left corner. Click on that to see how the different map elements are displayed.
  3. Once you find the property of interest, click/tap in it to see Significant Natural Resource areas.

If you are proposing development or tree removal, please confirm the location of the SNR areas by using the map or checking with Current Planning by email or phone at 503-846-8761.

Map and regulation updates implemented through A-Engrossed Ordinance Nos. 901 and 902

A-Engrossed Ordinance No. 901 made changes to the Comprehensive Framework Plan for the Urban Area (CFP) and community plans for the urban unincorporated area to reflect updates to the County’s planning Goal 5 Significant Natural Resources (SNR) program.

A-Engrossed Ordinance No. 902 made changes to the Community Development Code related to SNRs in the urban unincorporated area to ensure they are clear and objective and meet statewide planning Goal 5 and Metro Title 13 requirements.

Also adopted with this ordinance was Resolution and Order 24-80 which adopted the Washington County Tree List that was included in A-Engrossed Ordinance No. 902 and is now referenced in the CDC.

Resources:

FAQs

For the urban unincorporated area (areas outside of cities), the County's map showing areas with SNRs are found in the community plans. Staff can assist you via email or in person by visiting our offices during regular business hours.

For lands outside the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), the Rural/Natural Resource Plan (RNRP) contains maps that show the properties that may have SNR areas.

Please contact Development Review/Current Planning to confirm the location and types of mapped SNR on your site by emailing [email protected] or calling 503-846-8761. Staff can also assist you in person. Visit us in Suite 350 in the Public Services Building during regular business hours.

The Significant Natural Resources and Cultural (SNR) map shows areas where natural resources are located. The County regulates two types of SNRs: Riparian Wildlife Habitat and Upland Wildlife Habitat. Together, these make up the Significant Habitat.

We strongly encourage you to request a pre-application conference with our Development Review/Current Planning staff to learn more about any regulations related to proposed development and/or tree removal that may impact your property.

Pre-Application Request Form (PDF 722.62 KB)

Significant Habitat boundaries must be confirmed when proposing development or removing trees within the Significant Habitat boundary. The SNR map “flags” the area, letting us know that further information is needed if new development or tree removal is proposed.

Effective Dec. 5, 2024, County maps and regulations have been updated and apply to proposed development and tree removal in Significant Natural Resources (SNR) areas. These maps and regulations are found in the County’s Comprehensive Framework Plan for the Urban Area (CFP), all Community Plans and the Community Development Code Section 422.

Our current regulations apply to habitat areas in the urban unincorporated area. Significant Habitat is shown on the Community Plan Significant Natural and Cultural Resources maps. There are different regulations for the rural area.

Statewide Planning Goal 5 (Natural Resources, Scenic and Historic Areas, and Open Spaces) is a broad statewide planning goal covering a number of resources, including significant fish and wildlife habitats. It requires local governments to identify and apply appropriate protections to Significant Natural Resource (SNR) areas. Our Community Development Code Section 422 includes regulations that protect, preserve or mitigate impacts to these resources.

Related

SNR: A Focused Look at Fish and Wildlife Habitat

SNR: A Focused Look

This project updated the County’s natural resource program including limited updates to the County’s inventory maps, policies and land use development standards.
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Related News

Board adopts significant natural resources ordinances

Ordinances updating Significant Natural Resources regulations and maps will be in effect starting Dec. 5, 2024.
More planning news & updates