Planning and Development Services

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Clean Energy Siting and Permitting Project

Apply for a Permit

Permit Status

Forms & Checklists

Essential Handouts

Request for Inspection

Request for Investigation

What We Do

Skagit County Planning and Development Services is made up of five teams (Permit Technicians, Planning, Fire, Building, and Code Compliance) which helps to protect the safety, character, and long-term health and viability of Skagit County’s communities, working lands and natural resources.

The Department’s five teams work with teams from the Public Health Department and Public Works Department to ensure development in unincorporated Skagit County, follows local rules, is done in harmony with local community values, while also protecting our working and natural resources lands.

The Department guides long-range community planning efforts through the County’s Comprehensive Plan, Capital Facilities Plan, zoning map changes and updates to construction and development regulations.

The Department also helps the public address concerns by responding to requests for investigations regarding potential land use or building violations.

Getting Started

Frequently asked questions, additional resources and information.

Building

Design criteria, exemptions, plan requirements.

Land Use

Zoning and land divisions.

Natural Resources

Critical areas and shorelines.

Flood Hazard Areas

Learn about floodplain, floodway, and elevation certificates.

Fire Marshal

Access information on burn permits, fire sprinklers, emergency access, and annual business inspections.

Community Planning

Comprehensive plan, development code updates, zoning map amendments.

Code Compliance

Request for investigations.

Additional Resources

Legal Notices, Public Comments and Hearing Examiner

View Legal Notices
Submit comments to PDS Comments.
Information regarding the Hearing Examiner process.

Zoning Map

Click the link below to view the zoning map to see what zone applies to you.

Skagit iMap

Planning Commission, Advisory Boards, and Committees

Planning Commission

Learn more about the Skagit County Planning Commission or view the Planning Commission's schedule, agenda, meeting video recordings, or meeting materials.

Advisory Boards and Committees

Learn about Skagit County's Advisory Boards and Committees.

Comprehensive Plan

Access the current Comprehensive Plan

Commercial - Property Assessed Clean Energy & Resiliency (C-PACER) Program

C-PACER is a financing tool for business owners to take out a private loan to pay for projects that improve efficiency and resiliency. The loan is secured by a recorded County assessment lien on the property that is immediately assigned to a private lender who then administers the loan and lien. This lien arrangement means the loan lien will stay with the property if the property is sold to another owner. The County does not have any further involvement in the loan. C-PACER financing is now available to businesses in county-wide.

C-PACER financing allows business owners to secure loans to make critical building improvements which reduce operating expenses, improve the health of occupants, and strengthen long-term sustainability. C-PACER can support improvements in new and existing commercial, industrial, non-profit, and multi-family buildings.

Questions on C-PACER and how to apply may be directed to the Skagit County Planning & Development Services Department at pds@co.skagit.wa.us or 360-416-1320.

Permits on the Swinomish Reservation

In 1998, Skagit County and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community executed a memorandum of understanding (contract 3913) that established a cooperative approach to permitting on the Swinomish Reservation. Per the MOU:

Both Skagit County and the Swinomish Tribe have established zoning designations for all property within the reservation.
An application for a land use permit on the reservation may be filed with either Skagit County or the Swinomish Tribe. Each agency will forward applications to the other agency. Both agencies will issue the permits required by their governments.
Exception: for property that is (1) within the reservation, (2) owned by a tribal member, and (3) is owned in fee simple, the Swinomish Tribe is the exclusive land use authority and Skagit County does not issue permits.

Administrative Official Interpretations

The Planning and Development Services Director may issue an Administrative Official Interpretation (“AOI”) of the meaning, application, or intent of any provision of Title 14, or for questions regarding a map boundary or an alleged scrivener’s mapping error that does not involve reconsideration or rebalancing of designation criteria.

Below are links to Administrative Official Interpretations issued by the Planning and Development Services Director:

Cloudbreak Solar Admin Interpretation Decision (#PL24-0171 24 June 2024)
Interprets the ordinance that prohibits new permits for wedding and other events on lands zoned Ag-NRL (Ordinance No. 20240001 3/21/2024)
Miles Sand and Gravel Kelleher Road (PL23-0076 06092023 June 9, 2023)
Wilder Gravel Pit (PL23-0070. March 27, 2023)
Sounder Energy Storage Admin Interpretation Decision (#PL22-0536 February 22, 2023)
Goldfinch Energy Storage (Goldeneye) Admin Interpretation (#PL22-0460 Decision February 1, 2023)
Category I Aquifer Recharge Areas (December 28, 2022)
Single family detached residential dwelling unit and residential accessory uses, when accessory to an agricultural use (August 25, 2009 REVISED May 14, 2010)
The siting of non-ag buildings in the Ag-NRL zone. (March 16, 2010, REVISED May 14, 2010)
The siting of solid waste handling facilities. (March 16, 2010)
Single-Family Dwellings in the Ag-NRL Zone (August 25, 2009, REVISED May 14, 2010)
Renewable Energy Systems and Major Utility Developments (July 1, 2008)