Thurston County, Washington

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Thurston County Washington

About Critical Areas Review

The county's Critical Areas Review is done through the Critical Areas Review Permit (CARP) when there is a proposed project or as a Critical Areas Determination (CAD) when there is no proposed project. 

If you find there are critical areas mapped in proximity (within 400 feet of your project), you'll need to hire professionals with the expertise in the specific critical area to prepare reports detailing the location, type and size of the critical areas and submit those reports with your completed Critical Areas Review. 

Quick Start

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Why Critical Areas Review Happens Concurrently with Building, Grading and Septic Permit Applications? 

  • If Critical Areas are mapped on a property, you will need to hire an expert or experts to prepare reports detailing the size, location and types of critical areas near the property. 
  • You will then submit these reports to Thurston County staff who will review them for completeness and accuracy. 
  • These reports once reviewed by the county will help you and the county know which critical areas are in proximity to your project, and which critical areas and land-use regulations apply to the project.
  • Critical Areas Review let you, your builders and septic designers know where to place buildings, structures or a septic system to avoid critical areas.
  • Knowing this information before designing a project can help property owners save on costly and time-consuming redesigns.

How to see if critical areas are mapped on or near your property

  1. Open the critical areas property information sheet. You'll need to get the property's parcel number first, by entering its address into this form.
  2. Check for critical areas using the county's online Permitting map. (For reference only. Current ground conditions at a property now or at the time of application may not be fully represented on map.)
  3. Visit the Permit Office Monday - Friday between 8 a.m.- 3:45 p.m. See Office Hours & Location. 
  4. IMPORTANT NOTICE: There may be critical areas on a property that are not shown on county maps. Sometimes tree canopy or other things obscure the view, sometimes the land conditions change. A county staff member may confirm actual ground conditions after a Critical Areas Review application is submitted.

What are Critical Areas

  • Shorelines, wetlands, lakes, rivers, streams, flood zones, high groundwater areas, steep slopes, special habitats, riparian and marine shoreline management zones. 
  • Learn more about the Critical Areas Ordinance and about Critical Areas.

How to Apply: Go to the Forms page and complete & submit the form

Go to the Applications & Forms page then scroll down to Critical Areas Forms. The Critical Area Review form is the first option. There you'll find the forms and instructions.