Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) news
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July 10: Sims will appeal land use decision by Court of Appeals- King County
King County will seek Washington Supreme Court review of the recent Court of Appeals decision striking down a portion of King County's Clearing and Grading Code.
Dec. 21: King County provides information on hazard tree removal
As cleanup and repairs continue from last week's wind storm, King County Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) is emphasizing that emergency tree removal is exempt from permits and the Critical Areas Ordinance.
Dec. 21: Important Growth Management decision issued by state Supreme Court- King County
Today, the Washington Supreme Court issued a decision that King County regulations to protect critical areas are not subject to a referendum.
Dec. 29: Building on a rural property? King County can help with the new guidelines
King County's Rural Stewardship Program is offering two evening drop-in sessions where rural residential property owners can bring their questions about how critical areas protections might affect their plans to build or expand their home.
March 10: Woodinville-area workshop aims to help farm and horse owners work with new regulations
King County is hosting an informational workshop near Woodinville geared toward farm and horse owners about recent changes to critical-areas regulations. The meeting is scheduled Wednesday, March 16.
Jan. 11: Executive Ron Sims on Summary Judgment Order regarding the CAO
The Growth Management Act says we're all in this together, and Judge Robinson's ruling reaffirms that. But I hear the concerns of the rural residents. King County needs to redouble its efforts to explain what the CAO really does that helps rural residents
Dec. 3: Public comment period under way for CAO implementation
King County is taking public comment on draft public rules that will guide the implementation of sections of the three newly approved ordinances commonly referred to as the Critical Areas Ordinances or the CAO.
Nov. 17: Statement regarding referendum filing
The Critical Areas Ordinance had more than two and half years of public outreach, following which the Executive made changes that reflect that input, prior to transmittal. The King County Council then had seven additional months of review.
Oct. 26: Sims thanks County Councilmembers for support of critical environmental protections
King County Executive Ron Sims today thanked County Councilmembers for adopting critical protections that will protect the region's most critical areas and will leave a legacy of environmental safeguards for future generations.
Sept. 16: Constantine proposes more flexibility for regulations protecting critical areas in King County
After six months of extensive public comment and careful study, the Chair of the King County Council's Growth Management and Unincorporated Areas Committee today offered amendments to proposed rural land-use regulations designed to protect critical areas.