Planning & Community Development

Development Information Bulletins (DIBs) provide general information and answer commonly asked questions regarding permits, procedures, and regulations. Regulations are often written in a style difficult to comprehend, interpret, and apply to specific situations. DIBs are an attempt to translate the legalese of regulations into clear and common language. In the DIBs, excerpts from regulations are combined with plain-language explanations, rewording of complex passages, and some interpretation by staff. While the hope is that use of the DIBs will reduce expense and effort, reading the regulations in some cases may be required.

Click on the category you are interested in and you will be directed there:

100 General Information

200 Building Permits

300 Zoning and Land Use

400 Subdivisions, Short Plats, and Boundary Line Adjustments

500 Site Development and Environmental Protection

600 Open Space Tax Programs

DIB #	Topic	Description
100 General Information
102	Contacting Island County Planning and Community Development	Phone #s, directions to our offices, and other contact information
105	Langley Urban Growth Area	Describes permit application procedures and requirements in the Langley UGA
106	Community Meetings	Describes when community meetings are required and how to run them
107	Langley Joint Planning Area	Describes permit application procedures and requirements in areas near Langley
111	Type I Decision Process	This describes the type I decision process for permits
112	Type II Decision Process	This describes the type II decision process for permits
113	Type III Decision Process	This describes the type III decision process for permits
200 Building Permits
203	Mobile/Manufactured Home Permits	Explains installation, replacement and alteration requirements
300 Zoning and Land Use
304	Home Industry	What it is and how and where it may be approved
305	Home Occupation	What it is and how and where it may be approved
308	Bed and Breakfast	Definition and siting requirements
312	Signs and Lighting	Standards for outdoor advertisement signs and exterior lighting
319	Water System Review	Process to amend or expand a Water System Service Area
400 Subdivisions, Short Plats, and Boundary Line Adjustments
405	Unregulated Segregations	When a division of land is exempt from subdivision regulations, certain requirements still apply
500 Site Development and Environmental Protection
501	Clearing and Grading	Basic requirements if soil and vegetation is to be disturbed
502	Drainage Requirements for Single-Family Residences	Explains impervious surface areas and other criteria to keep in mind prior to development of a home or accessory structures
503	Critical Drainage Areas	Special requirements apply in areas with identified flooding or water quality problems
505	Drainage Narratives	Description and required contents
507	Critical Areas	General descriptions and purpose for wetlands, streams, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas
508-A	Wetlands - A	What is a Wetland?
508-B	Wetlands - B	Residential Development
508-C	Wetlands - C	Mitigation
508-D	Wetlands - D	Preliminary Critical Areas Determination
509	Streams	Definition and requirements
510	Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas	Definition and requirements for protection of protected species and habitats
511	Geologically Hazardous Areas	Definition and requirements for development near bluffs or landslides
512	Timber Harvest and Forest Practices Permits	Permit requirements for harvesting timber
513	Development on the Shoreline	Setback requirements and permits
514	Special Shoreline Setbacks and Buffers	Describes shoreline setbacks and buffers and permit requirements for their reduction
515	Bulkheads	Permit requirements for new construction and repair of existing shoreline protection structures
517	SEPA	State Environmental Policy Act requirements
518	Archaeological Sites	General locations and requirements
519	Floodplains	Permit and construction requirements
520	Development on Steep Slopes	Definition and requirements for development on steep slopes
521	Geologically Hazardous Areas Covenant	Explains what the Covenant is and when it is required
522	Washington Natural Heritage Program Sites	Definition and requirements for protection of protected species and habitats
523	Habitats of Local Importance	Definition and requirements for protection of protected species and habitats
524	Overwater Structures	Requirements for New/Expansion of overwater Structures. Eelgrass Habitat Guidelines Qualified Divers
600 Open Space Tax Programs
602	Open Timber	Tax deferred program for lands that are managed for timber production

IMPORTANT NOTE - "Development Information Bulletins" (DIBs) are intended to assist the general public in understanding the effect of codes and regulations. DIBs are not complete statements of the laws and rules and should not be used as a substitute for them. If conflicts and questions arise, the code and regulations are the final authority. Because these regulations may be revised or amended at any time, consult Island County staff to be sure you understand all current requirements before beginning any work. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the project meets requirements of all current codes and regulations.