GLOSSARY
of Frequently Used Terms

 

    A Division of Island County Government  
 
This Glossary has been put together by department staff. They have noted particular
acronyms and definitions that are frequently confusing or misused. This is intended to be a solid resource for applicants and those interested to understand the terminology found throughout County Code and commonly used by staff. We hope that this is a helpful resource and new terms will be added over time.
 
   ACRONYMS
AMP Animal Management Plan          APP Appeal
ASR Administrative Setback Reduction   BLA Boundary Line Adjustment
BLC Boundary Line Correction   BMPs Best Management Practices
CAA Critical Areas Alteration   CGP Clearing & Grading Permit
CGV Clearing & Grading Violation   COV Code Violation
CPA
 
Comprehensive Plan Adjustment
 
  CWHPD
 
Central Whidbey Historic Preservation District
CZC Certificate of Zoning Compliance   DIBs Development Information Bulletins
DRA
 
Development Regulation Amendment   EDU
 
Earned Development Units
 
EIS Environmental Impact Statement   ENV Environmental Checklist
FEMA
 
Federal Emergency Management Agency   FMP
 
Farm/Forest Management Plan
 
FP/FPA Forest Practice Application   GMA Growth Management Act
JPA Joint Planning Area   HRC Historical Review Committee
OPS  Open Space   PBRS Public Benefit Rating System
PLA Plat Alteration   PLP Preliminary Long Plat
PRD  Planned Residential Development   PRE  Pre-Application Conference
RAID
 
Rural Areas of Intense Development   REZ
 
Rezone - Historic Reference
 
SAR Sensitive Area Review   SDP Shoreline Substantial Dev. Permit
SFR Single Family Residence   SEPA State Environmental Policy Act
SHP Short Subdivision   SPR  Site Plan Review (See Land Use)
TEM  Temporary Use Approvals   VAR Variance
UGA Urban Growth Area   WFS Waterfront Setback
WSR Water System Review   ZCA Zoning Code Amendments
ZCI Zoning Code Interpretation        
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   DEFINITIONS
impervious surface surfaces that do not absorb water. Examples: buildings, concrete/asphalt parking areas, roads, sidewalks, & driveways
 Best Management  
 Practices
conservation practices or systems of practices and management measures that: 
(1) control soil loss & reduce water quality 
     degradation; and
(2) minimize adverse impacts to surface water flow, 
     circulation patterns, and to the chemical, physical, 
     and/or biological characteristics of critical areas. 
 Clearing The act of removal or destruction of vegetation by mechanical or chemical means, but does not include normal cultivation associated with agriculture. 
 Conditional Use A use allowed only upon approval of a site plan or the granting of Use Approval
 Ordinary High
 Water Mark
(SMP) That mark that will be found by examining the bed and banks and ascertaining where the presence and action of waters are so common and usual, and so long continued in all ordinary years, as to mark upon the soil a character distinct from that of the abutting upland, in respect to vegetation as that condition exists on June 1, 1971, as it may naturally change thereafter, or as it may change thereafter in accordance with permits issued by a local government or the department. 
Definition derived from Washington State Dept. of Ecology
Glossary
 Parcel A legal division or segregation of land including an assessor's parcel established by the Assessor and assigned numbers for assessment purposes
 Parcel Number The number assigned by the county to a piece of land or parcel for identification purposes.  In Island County the number is broken into segments identifying that particular piece of land.  

The parcel number begins with an 'R' or and 'S' label identifying whether it has been subdivided or not.  Under the 'R' label, the next five numbers are the range, township, and section of the parcel.  The remaining numbers identify that specific piece of land.  For example, parcel number R23328-100-5050 is in Range 2, Township 33, Section 28 and is identified as parcel 100-5050.   
 Setback The required horizontal distance between every structure/development activity and the property lines or the edge/right of way whichever is greater. 

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    All Rights Reserved. This site was last updated:    11/22/2006