Land-Use Applications

* NOTICE - Land-Use and Building Fee Schedule Amendment and Increase, effective Jan. 15, 2026 

Per Resolution C-65-25, approved by the Island County Board of Commissioners on October 21, 2025, the Island County Land Use Fee Schedule and Building Fee Schedules will be amended effective Jan. 15, 2026. 

See the 2025 Resolution C-65-25 and  Land Use and Building Fee Schedules

How Do I Submit an Application?

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 of the fees and let you know how many hard copies are needed.
  • Please mail the required hard copies, a copy of the estimate provided for 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.

New Agent Authorization Form - Effective 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. A notary is 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.

Applications A-E

Application Details
Animal Management Plan For use to determine whether non-household pets can be properly contained, kept and managed, within a property.
Applicant Authorization Form ​For use by a property owner who has an agent that is handling their land use permit. The form allows the County to interact directly with the agent on a permit application.
Boundary Line Adjustment ​For the adjustment of boundary lines between platted or unplatted lots, lot combinations, or boundary line corrections. Cannot be used to create additional lots.
Certificate of Zoning Compliance
Process for establishing, that a lot, use or structure lawfully existed prior to the effective date of the Island County Zoning Code. For lots, uses, or structures that would otherwise be out of compliance with the current code.
Clearing and Grading ​Clearing is the cutting and removal of vegetation. Grading is the excavating or filling of soil. Form needed if: 500 cubic yards of cut or fill; 2 acres or more cleared to bare earth; conversion out of Forest Practices; and/or clearing in critical areas or their buffers. 
​Critical Areas Permitted Use Required for permitted alterations to Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation areas. This considers the size of the lot, the type of use or structure proposed, and the ability to reduce or mitigate for impacts to the critical area.
​Critical Areas Variance Required for projects involving alteration to a Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Area or its associated buffer that do not otherwise qualify as an exemption pursuant to ICC 17.02B.300 or a permitted use pursuant to 17.02B.310. In addition to this application, a Biological Site Assessment with mitigation plan are required pursuant to ICC 17.02B.320.D
Comprehensive Plan/
Development Regulation Amendments
 Form for Comprehensive Plan or Development Regulation amendment requests. Must be submitted by July 31st to be considered for the next year's Docket or Work Plan.
​JPA Amendment Supplemental Additional form needed if the request is to revise a Joint Planning Area
​UGA Amendment Supplemental Additional form needed if the request is to revise an Urban Growth Area
​Nomination for Habitat or Species of Local Importance ​​Additional form needed if the request is to nominate a new Habitat or Species of Local Importance in accordance with the process outlined in ICC 17.02B.220
​Design Alternative Application ​For properties within the Freeland Non-Municipal Urban Growth Area (NMUGA) only. The Freeland Zoning Code (ICC 17.06) offers opportunity for design alternatives to certain required standards.
​Ebey's Certificate of Appropriateness ​Required for most development within Ebey's Landing Historical Reserve. For more information about Ebey's and how to determine what review level your project will be, click here.
Calendar of deadlines for Ebey's COA and meetings of the HRC and HPC  
​Environmental Consultants - List of Qualified Professionals ​Required for most development within Ebey's Landing Historical Reserve. For more information about Ebey's and how to determine what review level your project will be, click here.

Applications L-P

Applications Details
​Long Plat (see links for Preliminary and Final below) ​For the division of land into five (5) or more lots approved pursuant to ICC 16.06.
​Preliminary Long Plat A neat and approximate drawing of a proposed subdivision showing the general layout of streets and alleys, lots, blocks and other elements. Used as the basis for the approval or disapproval of the general layout of a subdivision.
Final Long Plat The final drawing of the subdivision and dedication prepared for filing of record with the Island County Auditor, and containing all elements and requirements.
Lot Combinations
(see also Boundary Line Adjustments)
 ​The combination of two (2) or more lots where no public dedication is modified, as of 01/10/2023 lot combinations have the same application requirements as Boundary Line Adjustments per Ordinance No. C-04-23; PLG-001-23.
​Public Benefit Rating System Application ​The State Open Space Tax Act, Chapter 84.34 RCW, provides an opportunity for landowners to apply for a reduction in property taxes for certain categories of open space, agricultural, and timber lands. This tax reduction is based upon a current use assessment (CUA) of the land rather than on the traditional fair market value system of "highest and best use."
​Basis for Assessment for Island County PBRS Island County's PBRS establishes a priority ranking system for various open space resources, classifying them into high, medium, or low priority categories, and assigns a point value for each category. The PBRS's assessed valuation schedule determines the percentage of tax reduction based upon the total number of points accumulated under its rating. This document is a guide to the program's point criteria.
​PBRS Affidavit Properties currently in PBRS must submit an affidavit annually which continuing compliance with the terms and conditions under which open space classification was granted and the current uses of the property.
Pre-application Meeting Form To review and discuss the application requirements with the applicant and provide comments on the development proposal.
​Planned Residential Development ​A cluster residential project approved pursuant to ICC 16.17. A PRD may include detached or attached dwelling units
Plat Alteration (see links for Short Plat Alteration and Long Plat Alteration below) To modify a plat which has already been approved and recorded. Specifically: changes to lot boundaries which do not qualify as boundary line adjustments, lot combinations, boundary line corrections, withdrawals, or vacations; or changes to easements dedicated to the public; or changes to the conditions of approval of a recorded plat.
​Short Plat Alteration ​For alterations to approved and recorded plats of four (4) or fewer lots

​Long Plat Alteration ​For alterations to approved and recorded plats of five (5) or more lots

​Public Transportation or Utility Projects For public transportation or utility projects which are proposed to impact a wetland or its buffer.

Applications R-S

Application Details
​Reasonable Use (see links for Type 1 and Type 2 below) Used to assess ​the logical or rational use of a specific parcel of land that is encumbered by wetlands and their buffers. This considers the size of the lot, the type of use or structure proposed, and the ability to reduce or mitigate for impacts to the wetland or buffer.
​Type 1 Reasonable Use For proposals in which the wetland buffer alteration has not and will not exceed cumulatively 2,800 square feet.
Type 2 Reasonable Use For proposals in which the wetland buffer alteration has or will exceed cumulatively 2,800 square feet.
Restoration Required for unauthorized alterations of a critical area or critical area buffers. The purpose of restoration is to return the critical area or critical area buffer to the condition that predated the unauthorized alteration.
​Rural Stewardship Plan Application For proposals seeking to implement a Rural Stewardship Plan for a property in order to be eligible for either a reduction in land use intensity or to qualify for the Public Benefit Rating System program.
For more information please see the Rural Stewardship Guide.
SEPA​
(State Environmental
Policy Act)
 The SEPA process identifies and analyzes environmental impacts associated with governmental decisions. These decisions may be related to issuing permits for private projects, constructing public facilities, or adopting regulations, policies, and plans.

The SEPA review process helps agency decision-makers, applicants, and the public understand how the entire proposal will affect the environment. SEPA can be used to modify or deny a proposal to avoid, reduce, or compensate for probable impacts.
​Shoreline Exemption (see links for Standard, Limited Review and Variance/Conditional Use below) ​For activities within Shoreline Jurisdiction which are classified as permitted uses per ICC 17.05A.080 and which do not qualify as Substantial Development per ICC 17.05A.130.E. For more information on shoreline development click here.
​Standard Shoreline Exemption
​See explanation above for Shoreline Exemption.
​Limited Review Shoreline Exemption For those activities which meet the explanation above for Shoreline Exemption and which also meet the criteria of the policy linked here.
Shoreline Variance/Conditional Use For activities within Shoreline Jurisdiction which are classified as conditional uses per ICC 17.05A.080 or which are requesting to vary from the standards of the Shoreline Master Program ICC 17.05A. For more information on shoreline development click here.
Short Plat (see links for preliminary and final below) ​For the division of land into four (4) or fewer lots, tracts or parcels approved pursuant to ICC 16.06.
​Preliminary Short Plat ​​A neat and approximate drawing of a proposed subdivision showing the general layout of streets and alleys, lots, blocks and other elements. Used as the basis for the approval or disapproval of the general layout of a subdivision.
​Final Short Plat ​The final drawing of the subdivision and dedication prepared for filing of record with the Island County Auditor, and containing all elements and requirements.
​Site Plan Review (SPR) (see links below) For review of site plans and maps for commercial and certain residential and nonresidential land development proposals. To assure that they meet the stated purposes and standards of the zoning district, provide for the necessary public facilities, and protect and preserve topographical features and adjacent properties through appropriate siting of structures and landscaping.
​SPR - Cell Tower A structure designed and constructed to support one or more antennas used by commercial wireless telecommunication
facilities.
​SPR - Non-Residential Zones For projects which require a site plan review and which are located in the Rural Center, Rural Village, Rural Service, Light Manufacturing, or Airport Zones.
​SPR - Rural Zones ​​For projects which require a site plan review and which are located in the rural, Rural Residential, Rural Forest, Rural Agriculture, and Commercial Agriculture Zones.
​SPR - Rural Commercial Events ​For events occurring at a specific site ten (10) times or less in a given year. Rural commercial events are incidental and subordinate to the primary use on a parcel and include activities such as music/entertainment events (with or without amplified sound), receptions, meetings, weddings, and other advertised events.
​SPR - Surface Mine ​For the processes of the commercial removal of minerals from the surface of the earth.
​Substantial Development Permit For those activities within Shoreline Jurisdiction which meet the criteria of ICC 17.05A.130.E.

Applications T-Z

Application Details
​Temporary Use Permit (see links below)

 ​A use specified in ICC 17.03.180 requiring no permanent improvements and conducted for a limited duration.
​Temp - Infirm Relative For placement and use of a temporary residence for relatives with a physical or mental infirmity.
​Temp - Special Events and Farmers Markets
Fire Code Permit - May also be needed
 A farmer's market is a temporary seasonal outlet for local area farmers, crafters and food processors to sell their wares directly to the consumer, usually occurring on a weekly or less occasional basis.
Special events means an event occurring at a single location annually or more frequently but in no case more than five (5) times a year.
​Type 1 - Ministerial Application ​For proposed development and uses which qualify as a Type I permit per the Land Use Tables contained in ICC 17.03.035 and processed in accordance with ICC 16.19.
​Variance Permission to depart from the development code when, because of special circumstances applicable to the property, strict application of the development code provisions deprives such property of privileges enjoyed by other properties in the vicinity that are identically zoned.
​Water System Review Application ​To establish a water system's current and future service area meet the needs of Island County as defined in the Island County Comprehensive Plan, the Island County Development regulations, and the Island County Coordinated Water System Plan
​Wetland Buffer Improvements For the re-establishment, rehabilitation, or enhancement of altered wetlands.
​Zoning Amendment Application For zoning amendments which are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan or Subarea Plan. For those zoning amendment requests which would require a Comprehensive Plan amendment, please see the Comprehensive Plan Amendment form above.
Zoning Code Interpretation ​For clarifying ambiguities in the text of the zoning code or classifying uses that are not expressly referenced.
View All