Island County schedules July 8 hearing on revised moratorium for mixed‑use RAIDs after business concerns

On June 3, 2025, the Board of Island County Commissioners held a public hearing on the county’s emergency moratorium (Ordinance C29-25) — originally adopted April 15 — that pauses processing of land-use and building permit applications in 11 mixed-use RAIDs (rural areas of more intensive development). Staff explained the moratorium is a temporary measure under state law (RCW 36.70A.390) to preserve existing development capacity while the county updates density and zoning rules as part of its comprehensive plan.

Emily Neff, Assistant Director of Planning and Community Development, reviewed the moratorium and its four exemption categories: additions/repairs to single-family residences that do not increase value by more than 50%; improvements to mobile or manufactured homes; reconstruction after an emergency such as fire or earthquake; and applications that planning staff had deemed complete before the moratorium’s effective date of April 15. Neff said…