Planning & Community Development

Enhanced Planning Services Now Available on Camano Island

Starting in 2024, a Critical Areas Planner will be available for appointments every other Wednesday, beginning January 3rd, 2024.  The Critical Areas Planner will be able to answer your questions and address concerns about development within areas such as wetlands, streams, lakes and ponds.  

Planning and Community Development ADU Certificates 

There are zero (0) remaining detached accessory dwelling unit certificates for the year.

Building Permits

Due to an increased number of building permit submittals timelines for most projects are taking an estimated 12-16 weeks.

Land-Use Permit updates March 31, 2023

Minor but important administrative updates have been made to all Land Use permits. Please make sure you've downloaded the latest version of your application forms.

Building Permit Applicants Please Be Aware

Per Island County Resolution C-28-18, the building permit fees will be updated and effective on Feb. 6, 2023.

Updates to Boundary Line Adjustments, Boundary Line Corrections, Lot Combinations, & Large Lot Segregations

Jan. 10, 2023: the Board of County Commissioners approved Ordinance Number C-04-23 amending ICC 16.06 regarding boundary line adjustments, lot combinations, boundary line corrections, and large lot segregations.

What This Means for Applicants

  • Boundary Line Adjustments, Corrections, and Lot Combinations all have the same new application requirements which can be found here.
  • Large Lot Segregations now allow for a minimum of 40-acre parcels after division. Any smaller land divisions of large lots will need to be done through the Island County preliminary and final subdivision processes.

Pre-Application Conference with the County

To help you understand code requirements for each of Island County's departments and sequencing your submittals, during a Pre-Application Conference representatives from Planning, Building, Public Works, and the Health Department will review your proposal and meet with you to discuss key regulatory points and provide a summary of next steps. Pre-Application Conferences cost $309 with a portion of the cost credited toward your land-use permit fees.

Flood Development Pre-Application Conferences

Flood Development Pre-Application Conferences are held in person from 10 to 11 am on Tuesdays on Whidbey Island and from 10 to 11 am on Fridays on Camano Island. Virtual conferences are available on either day. All times are first-come, first-served.

To schedule a conference, email Vicki Mertins or call 360-678-7869.

SFR, New Accessory Structure Building Permits

New single Family Residence (SFR), New Accessory Structure Building Permits, and solar racking are now accepted via our online Public Portal as well as in person.

Sign up or log in to our Public Portal

Planners Appointments on Camano Island

An Island County Land Use Planner is available to answer questions and receive land-use permit submittals on Wednesdays between 9:30-2:30. 

A Critical Areas Planner is available to answer questions and concerns involving critical areas such as wetlands, every other Wednesday. For an appointment, please call the Camano office at 360-387-3443.

Camano Annex