Land Use Review

Public Health Review for Land Use & Development

The Island County Public Health Land Use program works with the Planning Department to ensure that new development is designed to protect the health of our community and the environment.

Our staff review development proposals to verify that they meet all local and state health codes before the project is approved. This review helps identify potential public health issues early in the planning process, saving applicants time and money.

Our Public Health Review Checklist

Our review requirements vary depending on the type of application (e.g., subdivision, site plan, boundary line adjustment), but we generally focus on the following key areas:

  • Potable Water: We ensure the proposal includes a safe and adequate supply of drinking water, whether from an individual well, a shared well, or a public water system.
  • On-Site Sewage (Septic) Systems: We verify that projects accommodate septic systems and adhere to on-site sewage regulations, including reserve areas and setbacks.
  • Solid Waste Disposal: We confirm if projects adhere to public health solid waste requirements.

The Review Process

Our review is one part of the overall application process, which is managed by the Island County Planning Department.

  1. Application Submittal: You will submit your complete application to the Planning Department.
  2. Public Health Review: The Planning Department forwards your application to our team. We review it for compliance with health codes and provide our analysis and recommendations back to the Planning Department.
  3. Decision: The Planning Department makes the final decision on the application.

For complex projects, we highly recommend a pre-application conference where you can meet with both Planning and Public Health staff to address potential issues before you formally submit your plans.

Applications & Helpful Resources

For specific questions about the Public Health portion of your land use review, please contact our team.