Where does your county stand?

Deadline Dec 31, 2026

Draft critical areas code published; Planning Commission hearing held Oct 6, 2026. Raises stream buffers to 100 ft, citing the state fish and wildlife agency’s guidance.

Creek buffers: Proposed 100 ft on fish-bearing and non-fish streams (shorelines under separate rules)

Next: Commissioners’ hearing Nov 3, 2026, 9 am, Courthouse, Prosser

County update page ↗Public notices ↗

• KennewickAdopted

  Adopted Sept 15, 2026. The state fish and wildlife agency had recommended at least 100 ft.

  Creek buffers: Fish-bearing 75 ft, non-fish 50 ft (unchanged)

  City legal notices ↗

• West RichlandDraft out

  Draft critical areas code sets buffers by stream type, with a 15-ft building setback.

  Creek buffers: Fish-bearing 100 ft, Np 50 ft, Ns 25 ft

  Next: Council resolution to accept the proposed update Oct 20, 2026

  City update page ↗

• RichlandUnderway

  We did not find its critical areas chapter in the city’s draft code package.

  Next: Planning Commission hearing Oct 28, 2026

  Richland 2046 ↗

Checked 2026-10-15

Benton County page →

Deadline Dec 31, 2026

Draft critical areas code published July 16, 2026; comments closed Sept 25. How the draft sets stream buffer widths is not yet clear to us.

Creek buffers: Under review

Next: Joint planning hearing Oct 28; commissioners Dec 8 and 15, 2026 (tentative)

County update page ↗Draft CAO ↗

• East WenatcheeDraft out

  Draft critical area code amendments published.

  Next: Joint Planning Commission hearing Oct 28, 2026, 5:30 pm

  East Wenatchee 2046 ↗

Checked 2026-10-15

Douglas County page →

Deadline Dec 31, 2026

Joint County and Stevenson draft keeps today’s buffers, with a formal explanation of why it departs from the state agency’s wider guidance. Hearing held Oct 12, 2026.

Creek buffers: Fish-bearing 100 ft, Np 50 ft, Ns 25 ft (unchanged)

Next: Adoption hearings planned Nov 10, 2026 (tentative)

County CAO update page ↗

• StevensonDraft out

  Plans to adopt the County’s critical areas rules by reference.

  Creek buffers: Same as the County draft

  Next: Adoption hearing planned Nov 10, 2026 (tentative)

Checked 2026-10-15

Skamania County page →

Deadline Dec 31, 2026

Draft critical areas code published; the Planning Commission hearing opened July 16 and remains open. Wider flat buffers by stream type.

Creek buffers: Proposed fish-bearing 150 ft, non-fish 100 ft (now 100 / 75 / 25 ft)

Next: Planning Commission Nov 12; commissioners Dec 15, 2026 (tentative)

County CAO page ↗

• City of SpokaneNo draft found

  No critical areas update found in the 2026 plan package.

  Next: Plan Commission hearing early November (tentative)

  PlanSpokane ↗

• Spokane ValleyDraft out

  Draft code (Sept 18, 2026) sets creek-by-creek widths, with an option to use the state tree-height tool.

  Creek buffers: Chester Creek 115 ft, Saltese Creek 125 ft, 100 ft default (now 150 / 50 / 30 ft)

  Next: Council hearing Dec 1; adoption Dec 15, 2026 (draft schedule)

  City critical areas page ↗

Checked 2026-10-15

Spokane County page →

Deadline Dec 31, 2026

Draft critical areas title (Aug 17, 2026) with wider, tiered buffers; Planning Commission hearings held Aug 26 and Sept 23. Next date not set.

Creek buffers: Proposed 150 ft on Type 1–2 streams (200 ft or tree height on salmon, steelhead and cold-water reaches), 100 ft on Type 3, 50 ft on Type 4 (now 100 / 100 / 50 / 25 ft)

Next: Next hearing to be set

County update page ↗Draft Title 16C ↗

• City of YakimaNo draft found

  The city’s 2026 package does not include a critical areas update.

  Next: Council hearing Nov 2, 2026

  City plan amendments ↗

Checked 2026-10-15

Yakima County page →