Critical Areas

What Are Critical Areas?

The Growth Management Act (GMA) requires all cities and counties in Washington to adopt regulations protecting “critical areas” in order to preserve the natural environment, wildlife habitats, and sources of fresh drinking water. Critical areas regulation also encourage public safety by limiting development in areas prone to natural hazards like floods and landslides.

RCW 36.70A.030(6) defines five types of critical areas:

• Wetlands
• Areas with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water
• Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas
• Frequently flooded areas
• Geologically hazardous areas

Counties and cities are required to develop policies and development regulations to protect the functions and values of critical areas using the best available science (RCW 36.70A.172).

What is Best Available Science?

Jurisdictions must demonstrate that the best available science has been considered when creating their critical areas ordinance by documenting scientific sources that support their approach to regulating critical areas and explaining when policies depart from science-based recommendations. Chapter 365-195 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) serves as a guide for establishing what is considered the best available science. The Department of Commerce and the Department of Ecology provide helpful guidance on addressing the GMA’s best available science requirements.

Adopted Critical Areas Regulations

• Poulsbo Municipal Code Chapter 16.20, Critical Areas
• Critical Area Maps:
• • • Aquifer Critical Area
    • Geological Hazard Areas
    • Wetlands Critical Area
    • Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas, Hydrology Water Type, and Southfork Dogfish Creek Reach 

Resources

• • Critical Areas Handbook: A Handbook for Reviewing Critical Areas Regulation (2023)
  • Local wetland regulations: Growth Management Act technical assistance (Ecology)
  • Hiring a qualified wetland professional (Ecology)
  • Critical aquifer recharge areas (Ecology)
  • Priority Habitats and Species List (WDFW)
  • Frequently flooded areas: Critical Areas Ordinance (Ecology)
  • Geologic Hazards and the Environment (DNR)
  • Critical Area Handout
  • Critical Area Permit Application Form
  • Critical Area Exemption Application Form

2025 Critical Areas Ordinance Update

Critical Areas Ordinances must be evaluated and, if needed, revised every 10 years per the schedule provided in RCW 36.70A.130. The CAO update is due by December 2025. Check back for details in early 2025.

Contact plan&econ@cityofpoulsbo.com with questions.