 2024 Critical Areas Ordinance Update
Supplemental Changes to Executive Recommended 2024 Comprehensive Plan
As required by the Washington State Growth Management Act, part of the 2024 King County Comprehensive Plan update (2024 Update) includes a review of and update to the policies and regulations used to protect public health and safety by limiting development in hazard areas, including steep slopes and flood zones, and to protect environmentally critical areas, including wetlands and streams. Regulations in King County Code that protect critical areas are often referred to as the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) and are required to reflect the latest best available science (BAS).
To provide for additional government-to-government consultation with Indian tribes and engagement with community partners, drafting and submittal of additional BAS-driven CAO and policy changes are on a slightly later timeline than the December 2023 submittal of the 2024 Update to the King County Council. The Executive Recommended CAO updates, related policy changes, and supporting BAS report were submitted to the Council on March 1, 2024. The proposed changes will get folded into the 2024 Update and follow the Council's review, amendment, and adoption process for the rest of 2024 to meet the state adoption deadline of December 31, 2024.
Changes to the CAO and the Comprehensive Plan proposed by the Executive to meet state requirements, as well as supporting materials, can be found at kingcounty.gov/CompPlan. Key proposed changes include:
- Stronger protections for wetlands and riparian areas in both rural and urban unincorporated King County (areas outside of cities), informed by Best Available Science review.
- Updates to requirements for frequently flooded areas to better support salmon habitat restoration projects.
- New alluvial fan standards that limit new, at-risk development in alluvial fan hazard areas, clarify requirements for emergency actions, and support multi-benefit projects sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources and Parks.
- Allowing "climate-smart plants" to be used in mitigation and restoration projects, supporting climate resilience.
How can I provide input?
These proposed changes are currently under consideration by the King County Council and might be changed further. The Council will review the proposed changes as part of the Comprehensive Plan update throughout 2024. Information about that process and how to participate can be found here. Input on the proposed changes can be submitted to CouncilCompPlan@kingcounty.gov.
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