Planning & Community Development


Fees Update: Land-Use Permit Applicants be aware

Per Island County Resolution C-65-25, the Land-Use permit fees will be updated and effective on January 15, 2026.  See updated Island County Land Use permit Fee Schedule here.


Public Portal now open for certain land-use submittals - Effective April 21, 2025

Effective Monday, April 21, 2025, Island County Planning Department is now accepting applications via the Online Public Portal for the following permits:

Shoreline-Limited Review, Pre-Application Conferences, Boundary Line Adjustments and Lot Combinations. To view existing applications, apply for an application, make a payment or request an inspection, visit the Island County Planning & Community Development Portal.

Development Moratorium - Effective July 8, 2025

Effective July 8, 2025, through April 14, 2026: The Board of Island County Commissioners adopted an emergency moratorium on the acceptance, processing, review, or issuance of any land use or building application or permit for the construction, use change, or land divisions in Mixed-Use RAIDs: Rural Center, Rural Village, and Camano Gateway Village zoned areas. The new moratorium includes provisions for commercial property owners to make tenant improvements and emergency repairs during the moratorium. 

New Agent Authorization Form Effective as of Oct. 1, 2024

Effective Oct. 1, 2024, citizens of Island County will be required to submit only one completed Agent Authorization Form for all departments. Notaries are no longer required.

An Agent Authorization Form (also known as an Applicant Authorization Form) must be signed by the property owner and list their authorized agents, but no longer notarized.

NOTE: Island County staff will now allow applicants to submit a copy or scanned copy of this document. Originals are no longer required.

NEW: The owner or applicant must also provide a brief description of the scope of work that will be included in the updated Authorization Form. This form will now be valid for three years upon submitting it to any Island County staff member. This document will be housed in the county software, SmartGov, so any staff member with access can upload it.

Proposed Shoreline Master Program Updates

Comprehensive Plan Update


Enhanced Planning Services Now Available on Camano Island

Starting in 2024, a Critical Areas Planner will be available for appointments every other Wednesday, beginning Jan. 3. 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.  

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 segregation.

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 sequence your submittal, 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 10-11 AM on Tuesdays on Whidbey Island and from 10-11 AM on Fridays on Camano Island. Virtual conferences are available on either day. All time slots 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 permits from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM on Wednesdays. 

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.