Notice of Adoption: 20024

20024

METROPOLITAN KING COUNTY COUNCIL

NOTICE OF ADOPTION

Ordinance 20024

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Metropolitan King County Council (the Council) held a public hearing on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 1:30 PM to consider adoption of Proposed Ordinance 2024-0408 (Ordinances 20024), which adopts the Critical Area Ordinance and 2025 Comprehensive Plan. The Council adopted this Ordinance on the same day.

SUMMARY:

King County is required to designate critical areas and adopt development regulations to protect critical areas as part of the comprehensive plan review and evaluation required by the Growth Management Act. Review and updates to critical area policies and regulations include provisions to protect public health and safety by limiting development in hazard areas, such as steep slopes and channel migration zones, and to protect environmentally critical areas, including wetlands and aquatic areas.

King County Comprehensive Plan policies and development regulations in King County Code that protect critical areas are often referred to as the Critical Areas Ordinance. The Critical Area Ordinance is developed based on best available science (BAS). Under the substantial progress exception in RCW 36.70A.130(7)(a), the county is required to take action no later than December 31, 2025 to complete the associated updates to critical areas regulations.

A copy of Ordinance 20024 will be mailed upon request to the Clerk of the Council, Room 1200, King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA  98104, telephone 206-477-1020. They are available online at https://www.kingcounty.gov/council/clerk/notice_adoption.aspx, and at https://kingcounty.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7045329&GUID=B3207DE4-C67D-4EFE-8CEE-D7C01C455B0D&Options=Advanced&Search=.

Dated at Seattle, Washington, this 19th day of December, 2025.

METROPOLITAN KING COUNTY COUNCIL

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON

Melani Hay

Clerk of the Council