Critical Areas Ordinance ( CAO)
Thurston County is updating the Critical Areas Ordinance!
Thurston County has started updating the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO), with completion planned for the end of 2026. The CAO guides how land can be developed safely near environmentally sensitive areas. It draws on the best available science to balance property use with the protection of human health and safety, water quality, and wildlife habitat – for today and future generations.
We are currently in the early stages of this project – gathering the best available science, identifying key partners, and listening for community priorities and goals. This phase is a great opportunity to get involved in the early steps of this process. Through next year, there will be many opportunities for the community to share feedback and ask questions. You input will be essential in shaping this process.
Updates to the CAO could include:
- Using the best available science to protect critical areas.
- Making it easier for landowners to engage in conservation work on their properties.
- Clarifying the permitting process.
For questions about Thurston County's Critical Areas Ordinance Update, please contact Associate Planner Claire Swearingen at Claire.Swearingen@co.thurston.wa.us or call 360-968-9989.
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The Five Critical Areas
Washington state law, Growth Management Act (GMA), requires cities and counties to protect five types of critical areas, including:
- Geologically hazardous areas at risk for landslides, like cliffs or steep slopes.
- Frequently flooded areas such as floodplains and high groundwater zones.
- Critical aquifer recharge areas that help water soak back into the ground, so there's plenty for us to drink and fish to swim in.
- Wetlands that help filter dirt and pollutants from the water as it soaks back into the ground.
- Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas like lakes, rivers, streams, prairies, and forests.
Resources: Best Available Science and Laws
The Thurston County CAO is detailed in Title 24 of the County Code of Ordinances.
Learn more from the Department of Commerce Critical Areas Handbook.
- 2021 Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas: Guidance Document, Ecology, 2021
- Geologic Planning (Webpage), WA DNR, 2025
Planning Commission Meetings
Throughout the update development process, staff will bring presentations on State guidance, best available science, and policy decisions to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission will also review code drafts. Community members are encouraged to provide public comment and feedback at any Planning Commission meeting.
|
Meeting Date |
Topic |
Documents and Presentations |
| 9/17/2025 | Introduction to the Critical Areas Ordinance update | |
|
10/1/25 |
Permitting/front counter demonstration |
None |
|
10/15/25 |
Draft schedule overview and prioritization discussion |
|
|
11/5/25 |
Schedule finalization (as needed) |
|
|
11/19/25 |
Overview of state guidance and BAS |
|
|
12/3/25 |
Geologic Hazard Areas Concepts |
|
|
12/17/25 |
Invite DNR to present new landslide mapping |
|
|
1/7/26 |
Frequently Flooded Areas and Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas Concepts |
|
|
1/21/26 |
No Meeting |
|
|
2/4/26 |
Geo Hazards code presentation |
|
|
2/18/26 |
FFA and CARA code presentation |
|
|
3/4/26 |
Wetlands |
|
|
3/18/26 |
Wetland and Hydrologic FWHCAs |
|
|
4/1/26 |
Dryland Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas |
|
|
4/15/26 |
Presentation on SMP and HCP integration |
|
|
5/6/26 |
No Meeting |
|
|
5/20/26 |
Permit Processes, FWHCAs and Wetlands code presentation |
|
|
June-July 2026 |
Final review, public hearing, and recommendation |
History
The first critical areas ordinance was adopted by Thurston's Board of County Commissioners in 1994, in response to the Washington Legislature enacting the Growth Management Act (GMA) in 1990. The last major update was adopted in 2012, with some minor updates since then. Since the last major update, State requirement and the best available science have changed.