During this month’s county council retreat, staff from the Department of Community Development provided a winter progress update since the October and July check-ins.
Building and permitting
County staff, along with a consultant team, are making strides toward addressing the backlog of building and land use permits. By implementing code review standards and developing a standardized review process and workflow, the team reports making slow but steady progress.
DCD received and issued 616 building permits in 2024 that included commercial, accessory dwelling units, and solar and mechanical permits. There are over 220 pending building permits that require additional information from the applicant or had been routed for review. Permit review times vary from 250-plus to two days, depending on permit type.
DCD received 192 land use permits in 2024 that included provisional use permits, ADU eligibility, shoreline exemptions and more. The department issued 162 land use permits in 2024. There are over 270 pending land use permits that require additional applicant information, are routed for review, or remain open.
The department continues to work through a backlog of applications from 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, as well as a backlog of labor-intensive docket requests. The Council plans to review the docket request process in more detail.
Long-range planning projects
DCD is responsible for more than just issuing permits. The department is currently working on a number of other large, long-range planning projects including:
The 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update. The department is working alongside a consultant to complete the latest update by December. Public engagement opportunities are underway, and more information can be found on the project’s engage website at https://engage.sanjuancountywa.gov/2025-comp-plan-update.
The update will include a new Climate Element that will merge with the plan in early 2025. Seehttps://engage.sanjuancountywa.gov/climate-action. As part of the 2025 Comp Plan Update, the department is working with a consultant to develop the Housing Needs Assessment and Land Capacity Analysis.
Critical Areas Ordinance: The department is working with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to follow appropriate guidelines and is in the process of developing a contract with a consultant. The CAO update has a goal completion of December 2025.
Code revisions: The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office continues to lead efforts of clarifying land use tables and revising redundant and contradictory language in the County code. This work is happening in tandem with the County Council, Planning Commission and DCD.
Since July of 2024, the county has hired a planning manager, permit technician and records specialist. Recruitment efforts continue for a code enforcement officer and department director.
