Stay Prevents Residential Development in Some SNR Areas

The stay applies to residential land division and development applications that would impact mapped Wildlife Habitat areas. Certain development applications are exempted:

• Applications that don't modify an existing dwelling beyond its approved footprint.
• Applications that propose new dwellings on a lot or parcel that was created after the County's natural resource regulations went into effect in the early 1980s and don't propose modifications to the approval.
• Applications for nonresidential projects and projects that do not include mapped Wildlife Habitat areas are not affected.

Contact LUT Development Review/Current Planning at [email protected] or 503-846-8761 with questions.

Options include:

• Delaying impacted applications until new CDC provisions are adopted (expected late fall 2024).
• Submitting applications that clearly show that no development will occur on mapped Wildlife Habitat areas.

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.

LUT began work on a comprehensive update of the county’s provisions to protect natural resources under Goal 5 starting in January 2023. This work includes:

• An update of our 30-year-old inventory of significant wildlife habitat and water resources sites

• An environmental, social, economic and energy (ESEE) analysis of wildlife habitat and water resources as they relate to conflicting uses
  
• Amendments to our Comprehensive Plan and Community Development Code to protect these resources via clear and objective standards.

Code changes are expected to go before the Washington County Board Commissioners by fall 2024. Visit Significant Natural Resources for more information, including comment opportunities.

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.