Community Development

Long Range Planning

The Long Range Planning Division is tasked with maintaining and updating the County’s Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations. Each year in the month April the Board of County Commissioners approve a project list, known as The Docket. The Docket may include projects which reflect changes in the County and rural communities, county-adopted city Urban Growth Area plans, State law, citizen requests, or other inconsistencies.

The Long Range Planning Division works closely with the County’s Planning Commission to review the Docket items and make recommendations for changes to the Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations. All recommendations are forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final consideration and potential adoption.

Individual citizens and groups may request amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations by submitting an application. Anyone considering this type of application is encouraged to contact the Long Range Planning Staff at 509-667-6225.

The Planning Commission is a voluntary group of individuals appointed by the Board of County Commissioners.

Learn more about the Planning Commission here:
Chelan County Planning Commission

Click Here for:
Long Range Planning Forms & Applications


Comprehensive Planning

Chelan County was created in 1899 out of Okanogan and Kittitas counties. The county has an area of 2,921 square miles and a population of 79,997 as of July 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The county is led by three elected commissioners serving on the Board of County Commissioners, each representing a specific area of the county.

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Comprehensive Planning--Critical Areas Ordinance element update

On May 4, 2021 the Board of County Commissioners for Chelan County updated its Critical Areas Ordinance element (required).  The adopted version of the code is HERE.


Shoreline Master Plan

The current Shoreline Master Program was adopted by Chelan County Regional and the Washington Department of Ecology on April 22, 1975. It was prepared by a group of Chelan County citizens to be consistent with the purpose of the Shoreline Management Act of 1971 (RCW 90.58), “in managing and protecting the shorelines of the state by regulating development in the shoreline area”.

Since 1975, the State regulations and shoreline conditions have changed requiring an update to the Shoreline Master Program. The Update process started October 2007 and was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in December of 2017. A periodic update was completed June 8, 2021.

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Posted: 12/06/2017 10:59 AM
Last Updated: 06/13/2024 08:11 AM

Community Development Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 06
    Nov 2024
    09:00 AM - 11:00 AM

    Hearing Examiner - November 6, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    Chelan County Administrative Building or via zooom
  • 20
    Nov 2024
    01:00 PM - 03:00 PM

    Hearing Examiner - November 20, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    Chelan County Administrative Building or zoom
  • 20
    Nov 2024
    06:30 PM - 08:00 PM

    Planning Commission - November 20, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    400 Douglas Street
  • 04
    Dec 2024
    09:00 AM - 11:00 AM

    Hearing Examiner - December 4, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    Chelan County Administrative Building or zoom
  • 18
    Dec 2024
    01:00 PM - 03:00 PM

    Hearing Examiner - December 18, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    By Zoom Video Conference or in person