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June 12, 2026

Skagit County to update Stormwater Management Area Boundaries

In accordance with Washington state stormwater management regulations, the Skagit County Stormwater Program will expand its municipal stormwater permit area starting on July 1, 2026. New additions to the permit area include parcels around the current permit area and unincorporated land around Anacortes. As the permit area expands, projects within the newly added areas will be subject to the full set of County stormwater minimum requirements, as described on Skagit County’s stormwater permitting webpage.

The municipal stormwater permit area is the area covered by the County’s Phase II Western Washington Municipal Stormwater Permit, issued by Washington State Department of Ecology. The permit allows Skagit County to release stormwater runoff—rain that flows off roads, sidewalks, and other surfaces—into natural waterways. This same permit requires the Skagit County Stormwater Program to control runoff from new development, redevelopment, and construction sites through the County permitting process.

The area covered by the Skagit County’s stormwater permit is expanding because of the growing population density surrounding the original permit boundary. The state-mandated permit area is based on a combination of Census defined urbanized areas (areas with 1,000 or more residents per square mile) and locally designated Urban Growth Areas. Over the past two decades, some areas that were just outside the original permit boundary have become densely populated enough to now be considered urban. The boundary update incorporates these new urbanized areas, including a large area around Anacortes.

The current permit area map and the new areas to be added are pictured below:

An online map of the permit area will be available starting July 1, 2026.

For more information on stormwater permitting, visit https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/PlanningAndPermit/stormwaterpermitmain.htm.

Questions about the new permit area, as well as other stormwater related questions, can be directed via email or phone to Jason Quigley at jasonq@co.skagit.wa.us or 360-416-1463, or by mail at 1800 Continental Pl., Mount Vernon, WA 98273, addressed to Jason Quigley.

General permitting related questions can be directed to PDS@co.skagit.wa.us or reception line, 360-416-1320.