Emergency Master Plan Overlay Moratorium in Effect
Emergency Master Plan Overlay Moratorium
Summary: On July 28, 2025, the City of Sequim enacted a temporary, but immediate, moratorium that prevents the City from accepting, processing, and approving new master plan project applications for development on property within city limits. The City is working on reviewing and revising the Sequim Municipal Code, specifically Title 18 Zoning, which includes SMC 18.30 Master Planned Overlay, as well as the Land Use Chapter of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan.
The Sequim City Council held a Public Hearing regarding the moratorium on September 22, 2025. No action was taken by Council, which means that it remains in effect until January 28, 2026.
Commonly asked questions regarding the moratorium:
Q: Why was an emergency moratorium necessary?
A: Master planned projects are larger-scale and have a bigger impact than most developments, which requires clear and consistent processes. By clarifying the guidelines between the Comprehensive Plan and the Sequim Municipal Code, the City believes that current and future applicants, as well as the public, will benefit from these improvements.
Q: How does the moratorium affect me as a resident?
A: Most residents will not be directly impacted unless they are planning to submit a master plan for development.
Q: How long will the moratorium last?
A: The moratorium will remain in effect for six months. After this period, the City will reassess the need for the moratorium and any extensions, which is up to the City Council’s discretion.
Q: How do I attend the September 22 public hearing?
A: A public hearing is scheduled for September 22, 2025, in-person and virtually, where testimony will be taken regarding the moratorium. This meeting will be held in Council Chambers on the first floor of the Civic Center at 152 W. Cedar St. Those tuning in remotely who wish to submit public comment may do so here. Please note this hearing is for the moratorium, not the Westbay Master Plan submittal.
Q: How does the moratorium affect existing development projects?
A: The only project affected by the moratorium is the Westbay Master Plan and Overlay project. The Westbay applicants may continue to do the work required to achieve a technically complete application, and Staff can assist in that process, but Westbay will not be able to achieve a technically complete application until the moratorium is lifted.
Q: Does the moratorium stop the project?
A: Temporarily. The moratorium is for “accepting, processing, and approving” all master plan applications. The Westbay application was submitted but determined to be technically incomplete by City Staff. The moratorium has no effect on this status, as Westbay still needs to address the issues identified in the technically incomplete letter. City Staff will work with the applicant and assist where it can to help Westbay be ready to move forward if they choose, once the moratorium is lifted; however, no formal reviews, including deeming the Westbay application as “technically complete” and ready for additional processing, will be done until the moratorium is lifted, and no other master plans will be accepted. Once the moratorium is lifted, the applicant is free to resubmit their proposal, and once it is determined to be technically complete by City Staff, the review period will begin.
Staff Contact:
planningdept@sequimwa.gov