County Planning and Zoning

Over nearly 50 years, MVCC has developed an expertise in land use—a necessary skill in guiding smart development that is in line with community values and our surrounding landscape. This work has made a significant difference in how the Methow looks today: there are no subdivisions, lot sizes are large and there are abundant places for wildlife to roam. Much of our work in this sphere occurs at the county level where we have pushed for a sound comprehensive plan and a robust zone code that maintains the rural character our community desires. In recent years, affordable housing has become an emerging issue to ensure our local community members—of varying professions and income levels—can afford to call this valley home.

Okanogan County’s Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) is a foundational planning document for all of Okanogan County and is the key policy document guiding development and growth. The Plan sets the vision and framework for the Zoning Code, Critical Areas Ordinance, and Sub-Area Plans that follow and should give clear direction to Planning, Building, Health and Public Works professionals making important decisions.

For nearly a decade, MVCC has advocated for a Comp Plan that protects water, adopts provisions to address wildfires, and adequately designates and protects fish and wildlife habitat. An update to the Comp Plan was adopted on December 29, 2021. While the new plan is an improvement, it still doesn’t adequately address public concerns around stewarding water and rivers, safeguarding local agriculture and rural character, and protecting homes from fire. MVCC and Futurewise have appealed the plan and as of August 2024 this appeal is still in the courts.

The zoning code for Okanogan County is what shapes what our Methow and Okanogan neighborhoods look like. These enforceable codes derive from the vision of the Comp Plan. For decades, communities in the Methow Valley have had an overlay (the More Completely Planned Area, north of Gold Creek) that has maintained minimum lot sizes of 5 acres in the valleys and 20 acres in the uplands. These large lot sizes have gone a long ways towards maintaining the rural character and wildlife corridors that our community values.

In early 2024, Okanogan County engaged in a zone code update. The proposed zone code had some promising aspects but also raised some concerns. MVCC put out a comment guide to help identify what could be improved in the code.

Okanogan County has several state-mandated laws and regulations that are put in place to protect sensitive and fragile environments. The Critical Areas Ordinance is meant to protect wetlands, aquifers used for potable water, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, frequently flooded areas, and geologically hazardous areas. The Shoreline Master Program manages development and use within 200 feet of river and lake shorelines with the goal of ensuring there is “no net loss” of ecological functions. Unfortunately, Okanogan County struggles to enforce its laws and regulations and violations are all too frequent in these sensitive areas. MVCC continues to push for a Clearing and Grading Ordinance which would help to make sure land isn’t cleared before an assessment of sensitive areas is completed.