Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Racial Restrictions Apology topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Island County adopts resolution apologizing for historic racist deed restrictions
Summary
At its June 10 meeting the Island County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted Resolution C-38-25, formally apologizing for county-sanctioned deed restrictions that barred nonwhite people from buying properties and pledging administrative support for residents seeking removal or relief.
The Island County Board of Commissioners on June 10 adopted Resolution C-38-25, formally acknowledging and apologizing for the county’s past role in approving deeds and plats that contained racially restrictive covenants and directing administrative help for residents seeking remedies.
The resolution, read into the record during the regular session, says the county “expresses our sincere sorrow and remorse” for deeds and plats dating from about 1930 to 1950 that declared only white individuals could purchase or occupy certain properties. It cites a state-backed review that identified more than 900 affected properties in 22 subdivisions in Island County and notes that such covenants were rendered illegal by the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968.
The resolution points to state action since 2021 and 2023 that aim to identify and remedy discriminatory covenants. It references House Bill 1335 (2021) as the statute that charged a restrictive-covenants project to locate properties statewide, the 2023 Covenants Homeownership Account Act that creates mortgage-assistance options, and RCW 49.60.027, which enables property owners, occupants and homeowners associations to petition to have unlawful discriminatory covenants removed from title records. The board said it will waive any Island County planning department fees normally charged for filings to remove discriminatory language from deeds.
Commissioners moved and seconded adoption of the resolution; the chair called for a vote and the measure passed with assent from those present. The resolution’s text — entered into the record during the meeting — includes an apology to families who were excluded from shorefront ownership and acknowledges the role those exclusions played in denying generations the opportunity to build property wealth.
The board did not attach additional program funding or a new local ordinance to the resolution. Instead, it directs staff to inform affected community members about statutory removal options and to waive county planning fees for title-modification filings.
Residents seeking more information were advised to contact the Island County planning department for assistance with the paperwork and fee waivers described in the resolution.
