Frequently Asked Questions

For information about permit fees, download Island County's land use permit fee schedule (pdf)

Electronically

• Send your application and other attachments to PlanningDept@islandcountywa.gov
• PLEASE NOTE - if your email includes attachments which are larger than 7MB, it will not be delivered. A Planner can provide a file sharing link, the applicant can send a file sharing link, or you can mail a USB drive
• Once a planner is assigned to look over your submittal they will let you know they have received your application and advise you of its completeness.
• If everything looks ready, the planner will provide you with an estimate for the fees and let you know how many hard copies are needed.
• Please mail the required hard copies, a copy of the estimate provided to you, and a check for the required permit fees to one of the addresses below.

Via USPS:

Planning & Community Development, 1 NE 7th St., Coupeville, WA 98239

Via FedEx or UPS:

Planning & Community Development, 1 NE 6th St., Coupeville, WA 98239

In Person

Call 360-679-7339 and ask to schedule a "Land Use Permit submittal appointment" with a planner. Plan for approximately 60 minutes to review and deliver your application.

Find your zone on Island County's interactive  IC Geo Map. Instructions can be found on the opening home page.

Please click this link to be directed to our Land Use Tables. Directions on how to use the tables can be found at the top of the linked page.

You can find this information in the Land Use Tables. Directions on how to use the tables can be found at the top of the page.

The below timeframes begin the date the application is officially deemed complete and only includes the time which the County is actively reviewing the permit. This means if the County is waiting on additional information from an applicant, it could take longer than the times below. 

Type I: Type I permits are ministerial and the final determination is made by planning staff. Planners aim for 30 to 60 days but can take up to 120 days.

Type II: Type II permits are administrative, they require the posting of a public notice sign and a 14 to 30 day public comment period depending on permit type. The final determination is made by planning staff. Planners aim for 60 to 90 days but can take up to 120 days.

Type III: Type III permits require a pre-application conference and a community meeting before submittal of the application. They require posting of a public notice sign and a 14-day public comment period. Planning staff issue a recommendation but the final determination is made by the Hearing Examiner after holding a public hearing.

It can take 120 days to get the staff recommendation to the Hearing Examiner. Then about 6 weeks to schedule a date with the Hearing Examiner. The Hearing Examiner issues their decision within 10 days of the hearing.