Environmental Rules in Yakima County, WA (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Yakima County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Any land-disturbing project of one acre or more in unincorporated Yakima County, or a smaller phase of a larger development, needs Public Services Director approval of a stormwater plan under YCC § 12.10.210 before construction starts. The chapter also runs the county's MS4 permit program, SWPPPs, and Class 1 civil infractions for skipping the process.
Yakima County Stormwater Management Rules
Some RestrictionsYakima County Code § 12.10.210
The approval of applications for land development or redevelopment projects (projects) that are submitted pursuant to Yakima County Codes 12, 13, 19, 16C, and 16D that meet the following criteria shall be subject to the approval of a stormwater plan by the Public Services Director: (a) Projects that disturb a land area greater than or equal to one acre. (b) Projects that disturb a land area les...
Erosion Control
Washington's Growth Management Act, not a home-grown Yakima County ordinance, is why erosion and other geologic hazards get regulated here: RCW 36.70A.060(2) forced the county to adopt development regulations protecting designated critical areas, including geologically hazardous areas, and the county did so through Title 16C, its Critical Areas Ordinance.
Yakima County Critical Areas & Erosion Rules
Some RestrictionsRCW 36.70A.060(2)
Each county and city shall adopt development regulations that protect critical areas that are required to be designated under RCW 36.70A.170. For counties and cities that are required or choose to plan under RCW 36.70A.040, such development regulations shall be adopted on or before September 1, 1991. For the remainder of the counties and cities, such development regulations shall be adopted on ...
Coastal Development
Any dock, bulkhead, shoreline armoring, or structure built within shoreline jurisdiction of the Yakima River, Naches River, or other shorelines of the state in unincorporated Yakima County falls under the Washington Shoreline Management Act, RCW 90.58.020, and the county's own Title 16D Shoreline Master Program, first adopted September 5, 1974, which requires a permit before shoreline work begins.
Yakima County Shoreline Development Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsRCW 90.58.020
The legislature finds that the shorelines of the state are among the most valuable and fragile of its natural resources and that there is great concern throughout the state relating to their utilization, protection, restoration, and preservation. ... The legislature further finds that much of the shorelines of the state and the uplands adjacent thereto are in private ownership; that unrestricte...
Flood Zones
Washington state law bars new or rebuilt residential structures inside designated floodways, and Yakima County's own flood hazard ordinance must satisfy that state standard or the Department of Ecology can disapprove it. Narrow repair, farmhouse and substantially-damaged-structure exceptions apply, but the default in a mapped floodway is no build.
Yakima County Floodway & Floodplain Rules
Significant RestrictionsRCW 86.16.041
(1) Beginning July 26, 1987, every county and incorporated city and town shall submit to the department of ecology any new floodplain management ordinance or amendment to any existing floodplain management ordinance. Such ordinance or amendment shall take effect 30 days from filing with the department unless the department disapproves such ordinance or amendment within that time period. (2) The...
Boat Dock Permits
Docks and piers within Yakima County's shoreline jurisdiction must be the minimum size needed for the use, and multi-unit residential development must share a joint-use dock rather than build one per unit, under Yakima County Code § 16D.06.31. Docks are banned outright on the county's free-flowing streams and rivers.
Yakima County Boat Dock Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsYakima County Code § 16D.06.31
16D.06.31. Piers and Docks. The following provisions apply to any development, construction, or use of land for piers and docks within shoreline jurisdiction. (1) Pier and dock construction shall be the minimum size necessary to meet the needs of the use. (2) New pier or dock construction, excluding docks accessory to single-family residences must demonstrate that a specific need exists to supp...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New homes and substantial improvements in Yakima County's mapped special flood hazard areas must sit at least one foot above the base flood elevation, with mechanical and utility equipment elevated or waterproofed to the same height. Where no BFE exists, the lowest floor must clear the highest adjacent grade by at least two feet.
Yakima County Base Flood Elevation Rules
Some RestrictionsYakima County Code § 16C.05.28.020(1)(a),(e)
Specific Standards. In all special flood hazard areas where base elevation data has been provided as set forth in Section 16C.05.20.010 or Section 16C.05.44.060, the following regulations shall apply, in addition to the general regulations of Section 16C.05.28.010: (1) Residential Construction. (Ref. IRC 323.2.) (a) In AE and A1-30 zones or other A zoned areas where the BFE has been determined ...
Environmental Rules by City in Yakima County
1 cities in Yakima County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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