FAQs
- Landowners wanting to develop near or on critical areas
- Developers
- Increased buffers for wetlands
- Changes to the existing code to ensure ‘Best Available Science’ (BAS) is applied
- Stricter standards when local, state, or federal regulations overlap
- Permits and mitigations tailored to specific environmental conditions
- Pre-application consultations encouraged
- Requires detailed plans, geotechnical reports, and other studies (within the last five years) by qualified professional
- Maintenance and monitoring requirements
- Updated provisions for flood hazard management, wetland mitigation, and protection of geologically hazardous areas
- Flood hazards (floodways, channel migration zones)
- Geologic hazards (steep slopes, landslides, erosion, seismic, coal mines)
- Habitat conservation areas
- Streams, lakes, and wetlands
- Wellhead protection areas
What is a critical area?
Critical areas are wetlands, streams, lakes, steep slopes, fish or wildlife habitats, flood areas. or Wellhead Protection Areas as defined by RMC 4-11-030.
Who does this impact?
What changes are expected?
What areas does this updated ordinance apply to?
If you live near or on any of the following areas, these ordinance changes may impact you:
Activities impacting critical areas and their buffers require adherence to regulations.
How do I know if I am in a critical area?
Critical areas identified through site-specific assessments and boundaries are determined by professional reports and administrator approval.
To see if you are located on or near a critical area, check out the city's interactive map.
I live by or on a critical area. What is prohibited?
You are prohibited from doing construction, grazing, using hazardous material, and similar activities in restricted zones such as floodways and critical buffers. There are specific restrictions for wellhead protection areas to prevent groundwater contamination as well.
Are their any exemptions from the changes?
Exempt activities include conservation, research, education, emergency responses, and ongoing agricultural activities. All activities are subject for approval based on the site conditions.
What is Channel Migration Zone?
Areas in a floodplain where a stream or river channel can be expected to move naturally over time in response to gravity and topography. Water bodies such as rivers and streams gain or release energy as they flow, spreading out sediments, building new areas, and supporting a variety of fish, wildlife, and vegetation.
What is Best Available Science (BAS)?
Best Available Science (BAS) refers to the use of credible, peer-reviewed scientific information and methodologies in the development and application of critical area regulations.
It ensures that policies and standards are grounded in reliable, up-to-date scientific understanding to protect critical areas effectively.
This approach ensures that Renton's critical area regulations remain aligned with environmental science and best practices.