The Shoreline Management Act requires each city and county to review, and, if necessary, revise their SMP at least once every eight years. The Legislature set a staggered schedule that alternates with similar reviews under the Growth Management Act.
The jurisdictions required to conduct periodic review by June 30, 2019, the first deadline, are King, Pierce and Snohomish counties and the cities within them. You can find this requirement in RCW 90.58.080.
WAC 173-26-090 clarifies that local legislative action is required to complete the review, even when a local government determines that no changes are needed.
Our Periodic Review guidance provides information that you can use during your SMP review as well as example documents.
Guidance documents
Example documents
Periodic Review Workshop - Jan. 31, 2018
Comprehensive updates of Shoreline Master Programs, mandated by the Legislature, are currently underway. Many cities and counties have completed their updates. These shoreline programs carry out the policies of the state Shoreline Management Act for local shorelines. Ecology's guidelines for these updates translate the broad policies of the SMA into standards for shoreline programs.
A comprehensive update includes a public participation process, shoreline inventory, cumulative impacts analysis and restoration plan. This work results in a determination of shoreline jurisdiction, environment designations, goals, policies and regulations. Our guidance for conducting the work is provided in the Shoreline Master Programs Handbook.
Local governments at times decide to amend their Shoreline Master Programs to address a change in local shoreline conditions, the comprehensive plan or zoning, or improved data. Such amendments must be developed consistent with the requirements of WAC 173-26-110. Some of the requirements are:
- Public participation, including at least one public hearing
- Consultation with any agency, tribe or person with interest or responsibility relating to the shoreline
- Consultation with Ecology
- Compliance with SEPA
Shoreline amendments must be approved by the local elected officials and submitted to Ecology for approval. You can find these requirements in the following state rules: