Okanogan County solicits interest from consulting firms with expertise in code review and technical writing to perform a review of the county zoning ordinance and draft necessary revisions to the zoning ordinance that are developed in a manner consistent with the requirements of a county partially planning under the Growth Management Act, RCW 36.70 Planning Enabling Act, Water Resource Inventory Area 49 Watershed Plan, WAC 173.548 Water Resources Program in the Methow River Basin, WRIA 48 and the newly adopted Okanogan County Comprehensive Plan. The qualifications of responding consultants will be considered for the following project scope of work.

Project Description:

The work to be performed by the CONSULTANT consists of a periodic review and revisions to the county zoning ordinance as noted above. The scope of work to be performed includes:

  1. Review the zoning ordinance to determine where revisions are required or needed.           
    • Review RCW 36.70 to ensure continue compliance with a partially planning county under GMA and make amendments to OCC 17A, zoning needed to maintain compliance.
    • Review changes to the comprehensive plan, Water Resource Inventory Area 49 Watershed Plan, WAC 173-548 Water Resources Program in the Methow River Basin and development regulations to determine if the County zoning ordinance policies and regulations remain consistent with them.  Document the consistency analysis to support proposed changes to OCC 17A, zoning or Findings of Adequacy. 
    • Conduct additional analysis deemed necessary to address changing local circumstances, new information or improved data.
    • Produce a review checklist documenting consideration of statutory amendments, and internal consistence review.
  2. Draft revised zoning ordinance goals, policies and regulations, or prepare Finding of Adequacy.
    • Prepare amended goals and policies or regulations identified through the review process.  Use the checklist to identify where in the zoning ordinance changes are made to address applicable statutory or regulatory changes.
    • Where the review concludes that no changes are necessary, prepare draft Findings of Adequacy
  3. Develop a Public Participation Plan
    • Prepare and disseminate a public participation plan to invite and encourage public involvement in the review and update to the County zoning ordinance consistent with RCW 36.70 Planning Enabling Act.  The public participation plan will include applicable local requirements such as planning commission review and formal hearing, as well as applicable state notice requirements.
    • Prepare SEPA checklist according to WAC 197-11
  4. Conduct public participation activities
    • Implement the public participation plan throughout the course of the County zoning ordinance review and update.
  5. Assemble final draft amendment or Findings of Adequacy
    • Assemble a complete County zoning ordinance Final Draft amendment in preparation for review and approval by the local jurisdictional governing body.
  6. Desired completion of scope of work by June 30, 2023.