Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO)

What is a Critical Area?
Critical areas include wetlands, streams, lakes, steep slopes, fish and wildlife habitats, flood zones, and Wellhead Protection Areas. These are defined in RMC 4-11-030.

Why are Critical Areas important?
The state’s Growth Management Act (GMA) requires Renton to regularly review and update the city’s Critical Areas Ordinance. These updates are important because they:

• Integrate the best available science

• Align with new federal and state environmental regulations

• Ensure periodic reviews to keep our critical area rules current
  
  

Cedar River, Renton WA 2023

Why does Renton have Critical Areas Regulations?
We have these regulations to:

• Protect Nature and Wildlife
  Manage development to protect environmental quality, support a variety of species and habitats, and restore damaged natural areas whenever possible.

• Keep People and Property Safe
  Prevent issues like flooding, landslides, and hazards from old coal mines.

• Ensure Activities Don’t Harm Critical Areas or Public Safety
  Make sure any activity in or near Renton's critical areas does not threaten public safety, cause nuisances, or harm the essential functions of these areas—such as preventing floods, cleaning water, and providing habitat.

• Follow State and Local Laws
  Make sure Renton meets requirements like the Growth Management Act, the State Environmental Policy Act, and the City Comprehensive Plan.

• Guide Smart Development
  Give city staff the information they need to review and make decisions about projects near critical areas—so we can balance growth with environmental protection.

• Protect Our Rivers and Streams
  Take care of places like the Cedar River and other local waterways, ensuring they remain healthy for fish, wildlife, and our community.

Wetland Signage, Renton WA 2024

Next Steps
The Community and Economic Development Department is hosting public outreach about these updates. In September, there will be a public hearing. Updates to the Critical Areas Ordinance must be completed by the deadline of December 31, 2025.