San Juan County is in the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan as part of its 2025 Growth Management Act Periodic Update – and your input is welcome. Over the coming months, the County will begin reviewing specific elements in an effort to ensure consistency with state laws and the expected population and employment projections for the next 20 years. The County’s goal is to adopt the Comp Plan update by mid-2025.

The San Juan County Planning Commission will review draft Land Capacity Analysis results and begin its review of draft amendments to Comprehensive Plan Elements at its Dec. 20 meeting. The meeting agenda is available at https://sanjuancowa.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3066/files/agenda/5111. Agenda items related to the Comprehensive Plan Update include: Draft Land Capacity Analysis methodology and results (https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/31354/2024-12-05_LCA_Methods_Draft_Results_Memo); and draft amendments to: Element 1, Governance; Element 4, Water Resources; and Element 9, Historical and Archaeological Preservation.

Public comments specific to these elements can be submitted by Dec. 19 for review at the Planning Commission meeting on Dec. 20, though comments may be submitted at any time throughout the update process. Send comments to compplan@sanjuancountywa.gov.

Public engagement

The Comp Plan Update shapes the future of our community and there are several ways you can participate.

Provide written feedback. Written comments provide an opportunity to share detailed thoughts, concerns or suggestions. Written comments can directly impact the policies and priorities outlined in the plan. To submit feedback, email your comments or questions to compplan@sanjuancountywa.gov.

Speak at a Planning Commission meeting. The Planning Commission meets monthly on the third Friday of the month at 8:30 a.m. These meetings are open to the public with Public Access Time at the beginning of each meeting, where anyone can share their input. Check the meeting agenda to see which elements will be discussed that month.

Stay informed. Regular updates help you understand the process, follow developments and participate effectively.

For additional information about the Comp Plan Update process including upcoming meetings, agendas, past drafts and new documents to review, visit https://engage.sanjuancountywa.gov/2025-comp-plan-update and https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/589/Planning-Commission.

San Juan County’s Department of Community Development is responsible for building permits and inspections, code enforcement, land use designations, long-range planning and more. The department’s main office is located at 135 Rhone Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Community Development, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1778/Community-Development.