External Resources for Critical Areas & Wetland Projects

At Cedar Environmental, we want homeowners, builders, and small businesses to have clear access to trusted guidance when navigating critical areas regulations in King and Snohomish Counties. The documents below are official resources from King County and Washington State Department of Ecology that we regularly reference during project reviews, reporting, and permitting.

King County Critical Areas Resources

1. Critical Areas Restoration & Enhancement Guidance

A detailed overview of restoration, enhancement options, and requirements within regulated critical areas and buffers.
Link:
https://cdn.kingcounty.gov/-/media/king-county/depts/local-services/permits/land-use/critical-areas-restoration-and-enhancement.pdf?rev=2ee11c6477be420e849a877dfd98f4e4&hash=7A20162311832E991D338D85E1C91635

2. Critical Areas Designation (CAD) Handout

Explains when a Critical Areas Designation is required, what it includes, and how property owners should prepare.
Link:
https://cdn.kingcounty.gov/-/media/king-county/depts/local-services/permits/land-use/critical-areas-designation-handout.pdf?rev=77ff7f4e77144de396026dfd650480b0&hash=886C3D84E58B39C1993D5CBA996788D5

3. Alteration Exception (ALTEX) – 3-Step Instructions

Outlines the process and criteria for requesting an Alteration Exception when proposing structures or activities within critical area buffers.
Link:
https://cdn.kingcounty.gov/-/media/king-county/depts/local-services/permits/building-land-use-permits/c/ca-alteration-exception-instruction-info-3-step.pdf?rev=775d9ebe7e144ba1b143c6645a4b3c2b&hash=39B0196BD9B1C85BA94D6F8C58B85793

Washington State Department of Ecology Resources

4. Washington State Wetland Rating System (Western Washington)

The official Ecology document used to assign wetland categories and determine buffer widths.
Link:
https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/publications/documents/1406029.pdf