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Zoning administrator: permitting surged in 2025; 10-year comprehensive plan update to begin
Summary
Zoning Administrator Jean said 2025 was a strong year for permitting (47 new single-family site constructions versus 25 the year before; 29 more in-ground sanitary systems) and announced the county will begin the statutorily required 10-year comprehensive plan update with consultant outreach underway.
Jean, the county’s zoning administrator, told the commission that 2025 saw significantly higher permitting activity and outlined next steps for the 10-year comprehensive plan update.
"For site construction for new single family residences, we were 22 plus. So we have 47 total. Last year, we had 25," Jean said, citing a marked increase in new single-family site construction. She also said the county recorded 29 more in-ground sanitary systems than the previous year and that accessory structures, decks and rezones were up across the board.
Jean characterized 2025 as a "banner year" for building in the county. She said permitting revenue exceeded budget projections in several categories (zoning, sanitary and UDC permitting) and that the department will begin the statutorily required 10-year comprehensive-plan update this year. Funding and approvals from state partners are in place; Jean said staff have reached out to multiple consulting firms, one firm was too expensive and another appears to fit the county’s scale. The department plans to handle most mapping and public participation in-house with consultant support for writing and data collection.
Jean also said she is coordinating farmland preservation audit material and working with the Department of Agriculture to ensure required documentation is in order; she expects to finish that report before the February deadline cited in the meeting.
