Critical Area Information

If you have interest in a Critical Area & Archaeology Review (known as CAAR’s) please review the following options and related materials.

Critical Area Review Request (Instant)

Follow the steps below to view parcel-level critical area information for a parcel in San Juan County (applicants must still inquire about archaeology concerns via email or over phone with this option):

 Step 1) Enter Full 12-Digit Parcel Number:

 Step 2) to update link below:

 Step 3) Click this link to view Critical Area Review results and maps for your parcel

CAAR Request (Email Correspondence)
If you have interest in a Critical Area & Archaeology Review (known as CAAR’s), please submit a request to dcd@sanjuanco.com or call us directly with the following information:

• Your name and email address
• The tax parcel number you would like to receive information on

We reply to CAAR requests to identify land use regulations and critical area reports that may be required for development at the time of permit application. This information is based on a review of the whole parcel. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide the required reports or prove the indicated report requirement does not apply to their specific project site. Please let us know if you have more specific questions using our Ask a Question resource page where we can briefly review proposed projects. Additionally, you may be interested in a fee-related Residential Pre-Application with site visit (RPA) to determine if proposed development is consistent with current regulations. Actual conditions in the field control.

Pre-Application Forms

  1. Pre-Application Form for Required Pre-App Meetings (Word Doc)
  1. Residential Pre-Application with Site Visit - (PDF)

Critical Area Information- Related Materials

  1. 13A Marine Net Shore Drift and Feeder Bluffs-V.2
  2. 13B Marine Net Shore Drift and Feeder Bluffs-V.2
  3. 13C Marine Net Shore Drift and Feeder Bluffs-V.2
  4. Additional Protection Recommendations for Habitats of Local Importance
  5. BAS Synthesis
  6. Critical Habitat Puget Sound Chinook Salmon (Federal register 2005)
  7. Cultural Resources Inadvertent Discovery Plan
  8. Definition of Qualified Professional, SJCC 18.20.170 (Q Definitions)
  9. Description of Wetlands
  10. Determining Percent Canopy Cover (dot grid)
  11. Geologically Hazardous Area Summary
  12. Guide to Estimating Tree Canopy Cover and Basal Area (text)
  13. Liquefaction Susceptibility
  14. Lopez - Potential Upland Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas
  15. Lopez - Shoreline Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas
  16. Lopez Island (SMP Update)
  17. Marbled Murrelet Habitat
  18. Marine Shorelines and Lakes 20 Acres or Larger Summary
  19. May 2014 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  20. OHWM Information
  21. On-site Sewage Systems
  22. Orcas - Potential Upland Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas
  1. Orcas - Shoreline Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas
  2. Orcas Island (SMP Update)
  3. Ponds Summary
  4. Possible Wetlands Map (2014)
  5. Preserving Rare and Endangered Plants
  6. Protection Measures for Specific Animals
  7. Salmon Habitat Critical Habitat Designations for West Coast Salmon
  8. San Juan Island (SMP Update)
  9. San Juan Shoreline - Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas
  10. Stream Water Types (Fish Distribution Wild Fish Conservancy)
  11. Streams Summary
  12. Tree Basal Area worksheet
  13. Utilities Bulletin
  14. Vegetation Protection Lakes, Natural Ponds and Bedrock Marine Shorelines
  15. Visual Guide for Estimating Tree Canopy Cover (Blob Diagram)
  16. Waiver from Geotechnical Report
  17. Washington State Wetland Rating System
  18. WDFW - Marine Beach Spawning Fish Ecology
  19. Well Installation Bulletin
  20. Wetland Types
  21. Wetlands