2025 Critical Area Ordinance Update

The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) and House Bill (HB) 1241 require Kirkland to update its Critical Areas Regulations to align with current state laws and support the goals outlined in the Kirkland 2044 Comprehensive Plan.  This process will also include a review to improve clarity and ensure consistency with existing policies.
Learn About the Update

What are Critical Area Regulations?

Critical Area Regulations are the local rules that guide how we protect and manage important natural areas for the health and safety for both people and wildlife.   Kirkland regulates critical areas in two different chapters of the Kirkland Zoning Code:

1. KZC Chapter 85: Geologically Hazardous Areas

2. KZC Chapter 90: Wetlands, Streams, Minor Lakes, Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas and Frequently Flooded Areas

Why is the City Updating Critical Area Regulations?

The State requires all cities, including Kirkland, to update Critical Area Regulations by the end of 2025. this update will make sure that Kirkland's codes align with current and updated state laws as well as the city goals developed in the 2044 Comprehensive Plan for Kirkland.

What Changes Are Being Considered?

Most of the 2025 updates are focused to improve clarity and connectivity between the critical area codes.  Some language and vocabulary will be integrated into the code, but most of Kirkland's critical area codes meets the state recommendations.  

Kirkland is considering options to change the Stream and Buffer section of KZC Chapter 90.  These change options are provided to meet the intent of updated Best Available Science provided by the State. 

Stream-Buffer-Protection-Options.pdf(PDF, 420KB)

Tell Us What You Think! 

Please share your questions or comments:
  1. Complete a 2025 Critical Area Update Question and Comment Form
  2. Attend a Planning Commission Meeting in person or online
  3. Contact staff directly via Our Kirkland

Meeting Information

View meeting materials from Planning Commission (PC) or City Council meetings by clicking on the appropriate tab below:

PC

Public Hearing:
The Public Hearing for Planning Commission has been scheduled for Thursday October 23rd at 7:00PM. See the Planning Commission webpage for additional details as they become available.

September 25, 2025: Planning Commission Briefing #3
Meeting Materials

July 24, 2025: Planning Commission Briefing #2
Meeting Materials

May 22, 2025: Planning Commission Briefing #1
Meeting Materials

City Council

July 1, 2025: City Council Briefing #1
Meeting Materials

Best Available Science

During the last Critical Area Ordinance update, Kirkland engaged third-party experts to conduct thorough Best Available Science assessments:

KZC Chapter 90:
The Watershed Company (FACET) - 2016(PDF, 4MB)

KZC Chapter 85:
Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. (AESI) - 2018(PDF, 867KB)

2025 Critical Area Ordinance Update
The Draft 2025 BAS Assessment(PDF, 404KB) is a working document that will remain in draft form throughout the 2025 Critical Area Update process.

Correlation with 2044 Comprehensive Plan

Kirkland's 2044 Comprehensive Plan includes many goals and policies that prioritize the protection of critical areas. Some examples of these goals and policies are:

  • Goal SCE-1: Protect and enhance Kirkland's natural systems and features.
  • Goal SCE-3: Improve public safety by avoiding or minimizing impacts to life and property from geologically hazardous areas.
  • Policy LU-1.5: Regulate land use and development in environmentally sensitive areas to improve and protect environmental quality, avoid unnecessary public and private costs, and encourage public access.  Utilize mitigation sequencing requirements to prioritize avoiding development in environmentally sensitive areas.
  • Goal LU-6: Establish a coordinated and connected system of open space throughout the City that preserves natural systems, protects wildlife habitat corridors, provides land for recreation, promotes actions from the Sustainability Strategic Plan, and preserves natural landforms and scenic areas.
  • Policy LU-7.1: Continue to designate and protect critical areas based on best available science, with special consideration to preserving and enhancing anadromous fisheries.
  • Goal PR-3: Protect, preserve, and restore the natural environment for current and future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Coming soon!

Discussions

File Number

CAM25-00248

Contact Information

Anna Heckman
Environmental Program Coordinator
425-587-3289
aheckman@kirklandwa.gov

Jennifer Anderer
Senior Planner
425-587-3239
janderer@kirklandwa.gov

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