Zoning is the crucial process of translating the planning and objectives outlined in a Comprehensive Plan into rules and regulations.  These rules and regulations in turn shape what our communities look like. Okanogan County is taking a novel approach to updating the Zone Code, The Office of Planning and Development issued a brief, one-question survey in late January, and will be accepting input until February 28.

The single survey question lists the current chapters in the county’s Zone Code and asks respondents to rank the top three chapters, so the county can prioritize review of the chapters most important to county residents.

Most people are unfamiliar with the chapters of the Zone Code and their relevance to the specific interests and concerns expressed by the community. As a result, the MVCC phones lit up with requests for suggestions on how best to answer the survey! We believe all chapters of the Zone Code need to be scrutinized and that many things need to change concurrently; however, it’s important to try to help the county by providing feedback as requested.

Understanding that the array of land use planning interests expressed by community members (e.g. water availability, wildfire safety, climate resilience, affordable housing) can’t be located or pinned down within individual chapter titles, MVCC staff suggest the following three priorities that will get closest to addressing the issues we hear most about:

1. (17A.130) Methow Review District
2. (17A.220) District Use Chart
3. (17A.360) Enforcement

Take the Zone Code Survey