Development Code Updates

Draft SMC Title 18 – Zoning

The City of Sequim is proposing updates to Title 18 (Zoning) as part of its 2025 Comprehensive Plan update. The proposed changes are being reviewed concurrently with the City's Comprehensive Plan. You can find the Draft Title 18 here: Title 18 Zoning Update, and all other documents on the City's Comprehensive Plan Update Page are located here: https://www.sequimwa.gov/1301/Comprehensive-Plan.

Draft SMC Title 17 – Land Division

The Sequim Municipal Code Title 17 Land Division is a full rewrite of the City of Sequim’s land division and subdivision regulations. The update modernizes the code, ensures compliance with recent changes in Washington State law, and improves clarity, consistency, and predictability for applicants, staff, and decision-makers, including new requirements related to lot splitting, unit lot subdivisions, and other housing-related reforms.

The update also incorporates feedback from the development community and the comprehensive plan update process, addressing recurring concerns such as extension timelines, boundary line adjustment flexibility, street standards, and procedural clarity. 

Draft SMC Chapter 18.21 – Supplemental Housing Requirements

Draft Chapter 18.21 consolidates required state housing law updates into a single zoning chapter and is proposed alongside the Title 17 Land Division update to ensure clear, consistent procedures. The chapter modernizes residential use regulations, treats supportive, transitional, and emergency housing as residential uses, and updates definitions, parking, ADUs, and housing within existing buildings to align with state law. It also includes optional affordable housing exceptions to help reduce barriers to low-income housing and support Sequim’s long-term housing needs.

City Council Review

After the Planning Commission completes its review of the draft Title 17 and Chapter 18.21, a recommended draft will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration. The City Council reviewed the proposed development code amendments at its February 23, 2026 meeting and waived a second touch. The public hearing is scheduled for March 23, 2026. Information for joining that meeting is below.

Written comments for the City Council public hearing may be submitted before and at the City Council's public hearing by the following methods:

Email:  DCED@sequimwa.gov
Mail or Drop Off: 152 W. Cedar Street Sequim, WA 98382, or in person at the public hearing.  
All comments will be made as part of the record and forwarded to the City Council during their review process.

Planning Commission Review 

The Planning Commission reviewed the draft Title 17 and Chapter 18.21 at its January 6, 2026, January 20, 2026 and February 3, 2026 meetings. If you would like to view the audio from these meetings, please click here.

 Planning Commission Public Hearing

The Planning Commission held a public hearing on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at Sequim Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar Street.  The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format via Teams.

The Planning Commission took testimony at the public hearing on the Planning Commission Redlined Drafts Title 17 Land Division and Chapter 18.21 Supplemental Housing Requirements.  These redline versions represent modifications identified by the Planning Commission and staff during its meetings and are available for review at the links below:

Code Update Drafts

  1. January 2026 Draft Title 17 - Land Division
  2. January 2026 Draft Chapter 18.21 Supplemental Housing Requirements
  3. Planning Commission Redlined Draft Title 17 Land Division
  4. Planning Commission Redlined Draft Chapter 18.21 Supplemental Housing Requirements

Summary of Changes to Title 17 and 18

  1. Summary Chapter 17.10 through 17.50 - PowerPoint
  2. Summary Chapter 17.70 through 17.110 - PowerPoint
  3. Title 17 and Chapter 18.21 Summary of Changes - Memo
  4. Summary Chapter 18.21 - PowerPoint

Public Notices

  1. Planning Commission Public Hearing Notice - Feb. 17
  2. SMC Updates Title 17-Chapter 18.21 Reviewed SEPA Checklist
  3. SMC Updates - Title 17 and Chapter 18.21 SEPA Threshold Determination
  4. Public Notice of Code Updates

Resolution Adoption Public Participation for Development Regulations Update

  1. R2025-026 Adopting Public Participation Plan for Development Regulations Update