Island County adopts 12‑month moratorium on mixed‑use rural development

Island County Commissioners on April 15 adopted Ordinance C‑29‑25, a 12‑month emergency moratorium on the acceptance, processing, review or issuance of land‑use and building permits for most construction, use changes and land divisions in mixed‑use rural zones (rural center, rural village and Camano Gateway Village). The motion to adopt the ordinance with the removal of one proposed exception passed 2‑1.

The moratorium, effective April 15, 2025 through April 15, 2026 unless extended, was presented by Jonathan Lang, Planning and Community Development director, as a pause to allow the county to revise its zoning code to meet housing goals in the 2025 comprehensive plan. "We have before you this morning a recommendation for an emergency 12 month moratorium on the processing of applications for the construction and the mixed use rural areas," Lang said in his opening remarks. Planners said the pause is intended to prevent projects from vesting under current, lower‑density standards while the county crafts new regulations.

The ordinance applies to 11 mixed‑use areas identified in an exhibit attached to…