2025 Critical Areas Ordinance Update

Under Washington State Law, all counties and cities in the state must conduct a periodic review and update of their critical areas regulations. This happens every 10 years as we review and update our Comprehensive Plan, which guides the growth anticipated in the next 20 years. This periodic update provides an opportunity for the City to make sure our regulations are consistent with federal and state policies, and incorporate scientific advancements related to environmental conservation and natural hazards. The City’s critical areas regulations were last updated in 2017. This new update is due December 2025.

Is Your Property Affected by Proposed Stream Buffer Changes?

Use the interactive map linked above to see if your property may be affected by proposed changes to stream buffer widths in the 2025 Critical Areas Ordinance update.

Red streams on the map are proposed to have amended buffer widths.
Green streams are not proposed to have buffer amendments.

Click the link to open the interactive map: Poulsbo Critical Areas – Proposed Stream Buffers Map.

If your property is near a red stream, see the table below for details on existing and proposed stream buffer widths. Proposed buffers are based on updated Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Best Available Science guidance, which in some cases recommends increasing buffers to better protect fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, and stream function.

Stream Name	Existing	Proposed
Mainstem Dogfish Creek (F1)	200	200
Lemolo Creek (F1)	200	200
North Fork of Johnson Creek (F1)	200	200
Bjorgen Creek (F1)	200	200
Poulsbo Creek (F2)	200	200
Barrante’s Creek (Ns)	75	100
South Fork Dogfish Creek
Tidewater/Estuarine	100	100
Lower forested	75	100
Urban/commercial	50	100
Canyon	100	100
Headwater	50	100

Buffers for unnamed or unidentified streams may increase from the current typical range of 50 to 75 feet to a minimum of 100 feet, in accordance with updated best available science and state guidance.

Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) Update: Two-Phase Approach

The City of Poulsbo is undertaking a comprehensive update of its Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) in two distinct phases to ensure our regulations are up-to-date and grounded in the best available science.

Phase I – Required Updates (Summer–Fall 2025)

Phase I of the CAO update is focused on required changes to ensure compliance with state law (RCW 36.70A) and alignment with the latest guidance from the Washington Department of Commerce, Department of Ecology, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. These updates are based on Best Available Science and reflect new requirements to protect critical areas.

Public review of Phase I begins in August 2025.
Adoption is anticipated in October 2025.

Required updates in Phase I include, but are not limited to:

Revised stream buffer widths and classifications
Updated definitions and references to current state law and science
Enhanced protections for anadromous fish habitat
Adjustments to align with state guidance on wetlands and critical aquifer recharge areas

Phase II – Discretionary Amendments (Anticipated Winter 2026)

Phase II will evaluate potential discretionary changes to improve clarity, usability, and alignment with community priorities. These updates are not mandated by state law but are an opportunity for the City to address local implementation challenges, streamline processes, and consider emerging issues such as climate resilience, habitat connectivity, and adaptive management strategies. Public engagement for Phase II is anticipated to begin in early 2026.

Engagement and Project Documents

December 10, 2024 – Planning Commission Meeting Kick-Off and Open House

August 26, 2025 – Planning Commission Workshop

Planning Commission Workshop – Review of CAO phase I proposed amendments

Notice of Application w/ Optional DNS and Planning Commission Public Hearing

October 7, 2025 – Planning Commission Public Hearing

November 5, 2025 - City Council Workshop

Coming soon

November 19, 2025 - City Council Workshop Public Hearing

Notice of City Council Public Hearing
Staff Report
Exhibits
Ordinance
Notice of Decision

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 (click for an info card with more information)
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Areas
Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas
Frequently Flooded Areas
Geologically Hazardous Areas

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.