35.05.030 How to use this document.
If you intend to develop or use lands adjacent to a shoreline of the State, consult first with the Clallam County Department of Community Development (DCD) to determine if you need a shoreline permit; they will also tell you about other necessary government approvals that may be required. Most development projects require review by multiple County departments and many also require approval from State and/or federal agencies. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to obtain all of the required permits and comply with applicable laws.
To find out what Program requirements might apply to your proposed shoreline activity, first determine what type of use or development best describes it. All shoreline activities can be identified by a particular use and may also include a development. To summarize the definitions in Chapter 35.55 CCC:
•Development includes structures and other tangible evidence of a shoreline activity, while a
•Use refers more to the intended purpose of a development activity or to a nonstructural or intangible shoreline activity.
For example, an observation blind along with the clearing and grading required for siting are types of development related to bird watching as a passive recreational use. Also consider if the type of use is water-oriented or not. The three categories in order of priority are: water-dependent, water-related, and water-enjoyment. While some uses that are not water-dependent are still preferred, all shoreline use and development activities must comply with the Program even if a permit or letter of exemption is not required. Chapters 35.15, 35.20 and 35.25 CCC address the most common and anticipated shoreline activities.
Next, determine which shoreline environment designation applies to your site (see Exhibit A). Then check to see if the environment designation policies and regulations in Chapter 35.10 CCC allow the proposed use (refer to Tables 2-1 and 2-2). Your proposal may be permitted, allowed only as a conditional use, or prohibited. It may also require a variance if you cannot meet the dimensional requirements such as shoreline and critical area buffers (see Tables 6-1 and 6-2), height limits, etc.
Although your proposal may be permitted by the Program, or even exempt from specific permit requirements, you must comply with all relevant policies and regulations of the entire Program. Review Chapters 35.15 and 35.20 CCC to learn about policies and regulations specific to your proposed use. Review Chapters 35.25 through 35.40 CCC to learn about buffers and setbacks, clearing and grading, vegetation conservation, and other requirements that may apply to your project. The County may require you to complete special studies or analyses prior to implementing your project. If your proposal is found to have unavoidable adverse impacts on shoreline function or processes, based on the terms of this Program, you will be required to provide mitigation to offset the impacts so that the net effect of your proposal is neutral.
For development and uses allowed under this Program, the County must find that the proposal is consistent with the applicable policies and regulations. When your proposal requires an approval, typically a permit or statement of exemption, submit the required application materials to the Clallam County Department of Community Development. Processing of your application will vary depending on its size, value, and features. Contact the Clallam County Department of Community Development for additional information.