HomeMy WebLinkAbout0 Cover and TOC HEARING DRAFTJefferson County
Comprehensive Plan
Jefferson County
Comprehensive Plan
Public Hearing Draft
April 2026
Photos courtesy of the Collection of the Jefferson County Historical Society, Carolyn Gallaway, and Jefferson County.
HOW TO READ THIS DRAFT
Note: This is the revised Public Hearing Draft of the 2025
Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update—it may be revised
further prior to adoption based on comments at the
public hearing and final legislative review. Revisions since
the April Public Draft are shown in tracks.
Revisions since the April Public Draft are shown in tracks, with new text
underlined and deleted text in.
Highlighted text is used by the project team to mark minor updates
needed prior to final adoption or notes to aid in public review. These will
be updated or removed prior to final adoption.
CONTENTS
Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing Draft April 2026
CONTENTS
Vision Statement
Plan Foundation ................................................................................... i
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... i
Planning Area ................................................................................................................. ii
Comprehensive Plan Purpose ............................................................................. iv
Why Plan? .................................................................................................................... iv
Guiding Land Use & Growth Decisions ..................................................... v
Growth Management Act ................................................................................. vi
Countywide Planning Policies .................................................................... viii
Jefferson County’s Compliance Strategy ................................................. x
Planning Process & Public Participation ........................................................ x
Planning Since 1991 ................................................................................................. x
Considering Alternative Futures ................................................................... xi
Plan Creation & Amendment ....................................................................... xiii
Public Involvement ............................................................................................. xiii
Vision Statement ........................................................................................................ xv
Framework Goals .................................................................................................... xvii
Using This Comprehensive Plan........................................................................ xx
Comprehensive Plan Contents ..................................................................... xx
Related Plans .......................................................................................................... xxi
Community Plans ................................................................................................ xxi
Wayfinding: Western Jefferson County ................................................ xxi
Plan Implementation & Monitoring ............................................................. xxii
The Decision-Making Process .................................................................... xxii
Limitations in County Finance Structure to Implement
Plan ............................................................................................................................... xxii
Volunteerism ................................................................................................. xxiii
Amending this Comprehensive Plan ................................................... xxiii
Comprehensive Plan Amendment Appeals .................................... xxiv
Growth Management Hearings Board Review ...................... xxiv
Judicial Review .............................................................................................. xxv
Monitoring ............................................................................................................... xxv
1 Land Use .............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.1 Framework ............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Land Use Typologies ......................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Growth Projections ............................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
CONTENTS
Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing Draft April 2026
Land Use, Environmental Justice, & Surface Water
Analysis ....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Current Land Use ......................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Land Use & Environmental Justice ....... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Review of Surface Water Conditions & Existing
Polluted Discharges ................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Land Use Strategy .............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Land Use & Zoning Designations .................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Rural Designations ..................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Resource Land Designations .................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Master Planned Resort Designations . Error! Bookmark not defined.
Urban Growth Area Designations ......... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Public Designations ................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Major Industrial Development & Industrial Land Banks ................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Legal Nonconforming Uses & Lots ............... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Establishing Allowed Uses & Regulations Within Land Designations ........................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
From Rural Character to Development Regulations .... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Rural Character & Review of Regulations for Land
Uses, Development Patterns, & Nuisances Error! Bookmark
not defined.
Community Planning Efforts ...... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Countywide Planning Policies ... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Rural Areas Policies .................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Urban Growth Areas & Services .............. Error! Bookmark not
defined.
Overarching Land Use Goals & Policies..... Error! Bookmark not
defined.
General Land Use ........................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Land Use Consistency with Naval Base Kitsap .................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Industrial Development .......... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Housing .............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Public Purpose Lands ............... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Transportation ............................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Environment ................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Water ................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Legal Nonconforming Uses .. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Permit Processing ....................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
CONTENTS
Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing Draft April 2026
1.2 Rural ........................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Rural Character ..................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Limited Areas of More Intensive Rural Development .......... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Rural Centers, Crossroads, & MPRs .............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Rural Commercial Areas: Centers & Crossroads ............... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Master Planned Resorts .......... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Evaluation of Rural Commercial Boundaries ..................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Periodic Review of LAMIRDs & the GMA
Implementation Challenges in Rural Counties................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Rural Industrial Lands ...................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Forest Resource-Based Industrial Zones . Error! Bookmark not defined.
Economic Activities Outside of Rural Commercial Areas .. Error! Bookmark not defined.
West Jefferson County .................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Rural Goals & Policies ........................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Rural Character ............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Rural Centers, Crossroads, & MPRs ....... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Rural Industrial Lands ............... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Economic Activities Outside of Rural Commercial Areas ..................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Capital Facilities in Rural Areas ............... Error! Bookmark not
defined.
1.3 Resource .................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Resource Lands of Long-Term Commercial Significance
under the GMA ..................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Forest ................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Mineral ................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Agriculture ....................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Resource Conservation ................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Resource Lands Goals & Policies .................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.4 Urban ......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Urban Growth Areas .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Municipal & Unincorporated Error! Bookmark not defined.
Port Townsend Urban Growth Area ............ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Background ..................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Irondale & Port Hadlock Urban Growth Area .. Error! Bookmark not defined.
CONTENTS
Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing Draft April 2026
History of Planning ..................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Phased Implementation ......... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Alternative Phasing Sewer Policy .......... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Land Use Map & Zoning Designations Error! Bookmark not defined.
Dwelling Unit & Population Holding Capacity
Analysis ............................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Housing Variety & Affordability ............... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Urban Growth Area Goals & Policies ........... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Urban Development .................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Urban Level Public & Capital Facilities Error! Bookmark not defined.
Stormwater Management ..... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Transportation ............................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Green Space Planning in Urban Growth Area ................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.5 Action Plan ............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
2 Natural Resources .................................................................. 2–1
2.1 Purpose .............................................................................................................. 2–2
2.2 Trends & Opportunities ............................................................................. 2–3
Conditions & Trends .......................................................................................... 2–3
Forest Lands .................................................................................................... 2–3
Mineral Lands ................................................................................................. 2–4
Agricultural Lands ....................................................................................... 2–5
Aquaculture Resources ........................................................................... 2–7
Challenges & Opportunities ......................................................................... 2–7
Forest Lands .................................................................................................... 2–7
Mineral Resources ....................................................................................... 2–8
Agriculture ....................................................................................................... 2–8
2.3 Natural Resources Plan ........................................................................... 2–10
Forest Lands ......................................................................................................... 2–10
Mineral Lands ...................................................................................................... 2–13
Agricultural Lands ............................................................................................ 2–16
Aquaculture Resources ................................................................................. 2–21
2.4 Goals & Policies ............................................................................................ 2–22
2.5 Action Plan .....................................................................................................2–28
3 Housing ....................................................................................... 3–1
3.1 Purpose .............................................................................................................. 3–2
3.2 Trends & Opportunities ............................................................................. 3–3
CONTENTS
Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing Draft April 2026
Housing Stock ....................................................................................................... 3–3
Demographics & Household Characteristics ................................... 3–6
Total Population ........................................................................................... 3–6
Age ......................................................................................................................... 3–6
Race & Ethnicity ............................................................................................ 3–8
Educational Attainment ......................................................................... 3–9
Other Populations with Special Housing Needs .................. 3–10
Household Characteristics .................................................................. 3–12
Housing Affordability & Attainability .................................................... 3–13
Jobs & Housing .................................................................................................. 3–20
Displacement, Exclusion, & Racially Disparate Impacts ......... 3–21
Emergency Housing, Emergency Shelters, &
Permanent Supportive Housing ............................................................ 3–23
3.3 Future Need & Our Housing Plan ..................................................... 3–24
The GMA Growth Targets ........................................................................... 3–25
Housing Challenges & Opportunities ................................................. 3–27
Housing Affordability ............................................................................. 3–27
Housing Needs of People of Different Ages & Abilities ............................................................................................................ 3–29
3.4 Goals & Policies ............................................................................................. 3–31
3.5 Action Plan ..................................................................................................... 3–37
4 Open Space, Parks & Recreation, Historical & Cultural Preservation .............................................................................. 4–1
4.1 Purpose .............................................................................................................. 4–2
4.2 Trends & Opportunities ............................................................................. 4–2
Conditions & Trends .......................................................................................... 4–2
Challenges & Opportunities ........................................................................ 4–4
4.3 Open Space, Parks & Recreation, Historical & Cultural
Preservation Plan ......................................................................................... 4–5
Jefferson County Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan .......... 4–5
Open Space ............................................................................................................ 4–6
Historical & Cultural Resource Preservation ..................................... 4–7
4.4 Goals & Policies .............................................................................................. 4–9
4.5 Action Plan ..................................................................................................... 4–15
5 Environment ...................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.1 Purpose .................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.2 Trends & Opportunities ................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Environmental Considerations .. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Watershed Planning & Fish Habitat Recovery .................. Error!
Bookmark not defined.
CONTENTS
Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing Draft April 2026
Designating & Protecting Critical Areas ..... Error! Bookmark
not defined.
Regulating Shorelines .............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Addressing Environmental Impacts in Conditional
Use & the State Environmental Policy Act . Error! Bookmark not defined.
Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions &
Addressing Climate Change .................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Environmentally Friendly Development Techniques
& Public Health .............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Environmental Nuisance Factors .......... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Balancing Environmental Protection with Community Needs ........................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.3 Environment Plan .............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.4 Goals & Policies .................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Water Resources ................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Shorelines ................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Environmental Nuisance Factors (Excessive Light, Glare, Odor, & Noise) ........................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Critical Areas Regulated Under the Critical Areas Ordinance ............................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.5 Action Plan ............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
6 Transportation .......................................................................... 6–1
6.1 Purpose ............................................................................................................... 6–1
6.2 Trends & Opportunities ............................................................................. 6–3
Conditions & Trends .......................................................................................... 6–3
County-wide Conditions ......................................................................... 6–3
Challenges & Opportunities ......................................................................... 6–8
County Roads & State System ............................................................. 6–8
6.3 Transportation Plan ..................................................................................... 6–9
Roadway Level of Service............................................................................. 6–10
Active Transportation Level of Service ................................................ 6–10
Concurrency .......................................................................................................... 6–11
Transit Level of Service .................................................................................. 6–12
Non-motorized Trail & Standards ........................................................... 6–13
Transportation Demand Management Strategies .................... 6–17
Safety, Maintenance, & Preservation .................................................... 6–17
Active Living .......................................................................................................... 6–17
Countywide Transportation Improvement Program
(TIP) ............................................................................................................................. 6–18
Irondale & Port Hadlock UGA .................................................................... 6–18
6.4 Goals & Policies ............................................................................................. 6–21
CONTENTS
Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing Draft April 2026
6.5 Action Plan .................................................................................................... 6–29
7 Economic Development ...................................................... 7–1
7.1 Purpose .............................................................................................................. 7–3
7.2 Trends & Opportunities ............................................................................. 7–4
Conditions & Trends .......................................................................................... 7–4
Employment & Labor Force ................................................................. 7–4
Economic Sectors & Major Employers ........................................... 7–6
Wages .................................................................................................................. 7–9
Taxable Sales Trends ............................................................................... 7–12
Challenges & Opportunities ....................................................................... 7–14
Strengths & Challenges ......................................................................... 7–15
Jefferson County Economic Development
Organizations ....................................................................................................... 7–17
EDC Team Jefferson ................................................................................ 7–17
Port of Port Townsend ........................................................................... 7–19
Washington State University ............................................................. 7–19
North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce ............................ 7–20
North Olympic Development Council (NODC) .................... 7–20
Countywide Planning Policies ................................................................ 7–22
7.3 Economic Development Plan ............................................................. 7–23
Workforce Development ............................................................................ 7–24
Industrial & Manufacturing Businesses ............................................ 7–24
Placemaking for Visitors & Residents ................................................. 7–25
Sustainable, Innovative Agricultural & Food Businesses....... 7–25
Infrastructure Improvements as Economic
Development Strategy ................................................................................. 7–25
7.4 Goals & Policies ........................................................................................... 7–28
7.5 Action Plan ..................................................................................................... 7–33
8 Capital Facilities & Utilities ................................................. 8–1
8.1 Purpose ............................................................................................................... 8–1
8.2 Capital Facilities ............................................................................................ 8–2
Overview .................................................................................................................... 8–2
Countywide Planning Policies .................................................................. 8–4
Summary of Trends & Opportunities ..................................................... 8–5
8.3 Essential Public Facilities ......................................................................... 8–6
Overview .................................................................................................................... 8–6
Essential Public Facilities & Public Purpose Lands ............... 8–7
Essential Public Facility Designations in Jefferson
County ................................................................................................................ 8–8
Countywide Planning Policies .................................................................. 8–8
Summary of Trends & Opportunities ..................................................... 8–9
CONTENTS
Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing Draft April 2026
8.4 Utilities .............................................................................................................. 8–10
Electric Utilities ................................................................................................... 8–10
Providers .......................................................................................................... 8–10
Duty to Serve ................................................................................................ 8–10
JPUD Inventory ............................................................................................ 8–11
Electricity: Future Capacity Needs & Requirements .......... 8–13
Telecommunication Utilities ..................................................................... 8–15
Telecommunications Systems Types & Regulations ......... 8–15
Conventional Telephone ....................................................................... 8–15
Cellular Service ............................................................................................ 8–16
Broadband ..................................................................................................... 8–16
Telephone: Future Capacity Needs & Requirements ........ 8–17
Countywide Planning Policies ................................................................. 8–18
Summary of Trends & Opportunities ................................................... 8–18
8.5 Capital Facilities & Utilities Plan ........................................................ 8–20
Capital Facilities ................................................................................................ 8–20
Essential Public Facilities ............................................................................ 8–20
Utilities ..................................................................................................................... 8–20
8.6 Goals & Policies ............................................................................................ 8–21
Capital Facilities ................................................................................................. 8–21
General .............................................................................................................. 8–21
Potable Water ............................................................................................. 8–29
Sewer & Wastewater .............................................................................. 8–30
Solid Waste ................................................................................................... 8–31
Surface Water Management ............................................................ 8–32
Essential Public Facilities ............................................................................ 8–33
Utilities ..................................................................................................................... 8–38
General Capacity & Conservation .................................................. 8–38
Telecommunication & Internet Utilities ..................................... 8–41
Electrical Utilities........................................................................................ 8–41
8.7 Action Plan .................................................................................................... 8–42
9 Climate..........................................................................................9-1
9.1 Purpose ................................................................................................................ 9-1
9.2 Trends & Opportunities .............................................................................. 9-3
Climate Impacts ................................................................................................... 9-4
Climate Vulnerability ........................................................................................ 9-7
Public Health .................................................................................................. 9-7
Economy & Resource Lands ................................................................. 9-9
Built Infrastructure .................................................................................... 9-12
Water Systems.............................................................................................. 9-13
Agriculture & Food Systems ................................................................ 9-15
Natural Environment & Ecosystems .............................................. 9-17
CONTENTS
Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing Draft April 2026
9.3 Climate Plan ................................................................................................... 9-19
9.4 Goals & Policies ............................................................................................ 9-20
Zoning & Development ................................................................................ 9-20
Water Resources ............................................................................................... 9-23
Ecosystems ............................................................................................................ 9-25
Cultural Resource & Practices .................................................................. 9-27
Agriculture & Food Systems ...................................................................... 9-27
Buildings & Energy .......................................................................................... 9-28
Emergency Management ............................................................................ 9-31
Transportation ..................................................................................................... 9-33
Communications & Collaboration ........................................................ 9-34
9.5 Action Plan ..................................................................................................... 9-36
10 References, Photos, Acronyms, & Glossary
Appendices
Appendix A: Community Engagement Summary
Appendix B: Jefferson County Resolution No. 68-1118-24R, Population Forecast & Allocations
Appendix C: Transportation Technical Document
Appendix D: Capital Facilities Plan Technical Document
Appendix E: Land Capacity & Housing Technical Appendix
Appendix F: Climate Engagement Plan & Vulnerability Assessment
CONTENTS
Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing Draft April 2026
EXHIBITS
Plan Foundation ................................................................................... i
Exhibit A Jefferson County Planning Area iii
Exhibit B Relationship: Countywide Planning Policies &
Comprehensive Plan Elements ix
Exhibit C Comprehensive Plan Update Process Diagram xiii
1 Land Use ...................................................................................... 1–1
Exhibit 1-1 General Land Use Categories (2025) .................................. 1–3
Exhibit 1-2 Jefferson County and City of Port Townsend 20-year Population Projection and Distribution (2025–2045) .......................................................................................... 1–4
Exhibit 1-3 Population Shares (2025 and 2045) .................................... 1–5
Exhibit 1-4 Estimated Employment Share by Planning Area (2023 and 2045) ..................................................................... 1–7
Exhibit 1-5 Current Land Use Map (2025) Assessor Information .......................................................................................... 1–9
Exhibit 1-6 Current Land Use (2025) Assessor Information ......... 1–10
Exhibit 1-7 Median Summer Land Surface Temperature
(2019–2023) ......................................................................................... 1–15
Exhibit 1-8 Key Findings from the 2019 Community Health
Assessment ........................................................................................ 1–17
Exhibit 1-9 Key Environmental Threats and Opportunities
in East Jefferson County ........................................................... 1–18
Exhibit 1-10 Recreation Trail Connections to Schools and
Parks of the Irondale and Port Hadlock UGA
and Chimacum (2025) ................................................................ 1–19
Exhibit 1-11 Land Use / Zoning Map (2025) ............................................. 1–23
Exhibit 1-12 Land Use Designations / Zoning Districts and
Acreage (2025) ................................................................................ 1–24
Exhibit 1-13 Planned Residential Densities ............................................. 1–25
Exhibit 1-14 Summary of Rural Land Use and Zoning
Designations .................................................................................... 1–26
Exhibit 1-15 Summary of Overlay Land Use and Zoning
Designations .................................................................................... 1–28
Exhibit 1-16 Summary of Resource Land Use and Zoning
Designations .................................................................................... 1–30
Exhibit 1-17 Summary of Master Planned Resort Land Use
and Zoning Designations ......................................................... 1–31
Exhibit 1-18 Irondale and Port Hadlock UGA Land Use and Zoning Designations .................................................................. 1–32
Exhibit 1-19 Port Townsend UGA Land Use and Zoning Designations .................................................................................... 1–33
Exhibit 1-20 Public Land Use Designations and Zoning ................ 1–33
Exhibit 1-21 Community Planning Areas .................................................. 1–37
CONTENTS
Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing Draft April 2026
Exhibit 1-22 Location of Rural Commercial Areas and
Master Planned Resorts (2025) ............................................ 1–55
Exhibit 1-23 Rural Commercial Area Total Acreage & Infill
Acreage (2025) ................................................................................ 1–79
Exhibit 1-24 Location of Rural Industrial Lands (2025) ..................... 1–86
Exhibit 1-25 Irondale and Port Hadlock UGA Transitional
Rural Zoning ...................................................................................1–126
Exhibit 1-26 Irondale and Port Hadlock UGA Urban Zoning
(2025) .................................................................................................... 1–127
Exhibit 1-26 Land Use Action Plan ................................................................ 1–137
2 Natural Resources .................................................................. 2–1
Exhibit 2-1 NRCS Potential Mineral Source Soils................................. 2–4
Exhibit 2-2 Jefferson County Farmland Soil Classifications ......... 2–6
Exhibit 2-3 Forest Lands Zoning (2025) .................................................... 2–11
Exhibit 2-4 Map of Forest Resource Lands (2025) ............................. 2–12
Exhibit 2-5 Map of Mineral Resource Lands (2025) .......................... 2–15
Exhibit 2-6 Map of Agricultural Resource Lands (2024) .............. 2–20
Exhibit 2-7 Natural Resources Action Plan ........................................... 2–28
3 Housing ....................................................................................... 3–1
Exhibit 3-1 Housing Inventory (2023)—Unincorporated Jefferson County ............................................................................. 3–4
Exhibit 3-2 Estimated Existing Housing Units (2020 and 2023) ........................................................................................................ 3–5
Exhibit 3-3 Age Distribution, Percent of Population
(2022)—Unincorporated Jefferson County vs.
City of Port Townsend and Statewide .............................. 3–7
Exhibit 3-4 Population by Age Cohort, Estimates and
Projections (2020–2045)—Jefferson County ................ 3–8
Exhibit 3-5 Population by Race and Ethnicity (2022)—
Unincorporated Jefferson County ...................................... 3–9
Exhibit 3-6 Educational Attainment by Age Group (2022)—
Unincorporated Jefferson County ...................................... 3–9
Exhibit 3-7 Households by Cost Burden Status (2020)—
Unincorporated Jefferson County .................................... 3–14
Exhibit 3-8 Cost Burden Status of Households by Racial
and Ethnic Group (2020)—Unincorporated
Jefferson County ........................................................................... 3–15
Exhibit 3-9 Housing Value Index (2006–2024)—Jefferson
County and City of Port Townsend—and
Median Family Income (2010–2024)—Jefferson
County .................................................................................................. 3–17
Exhibit 3-10 Current (2023) and Planned Future Subsidized
Rentals and Homes in Jefferson County ...................... 3–19
Exhibit 3-11 Current (2023) and Planned Future Emergency and Permanent Supportive Housing in Jefferson County .......................................................................... 3–23
CONTENTS
Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing Draft April 2026
Exhibit 3-12 Jefferson County and City of Port Townsend
Housing Growth Targets (2020–2045) ........................... 3–25
Exhibit 3-13 Housing Capacity vs. Growth Targets for
Unincorporated Jefferson County ................................... 3–26
Exhibit 3-14 Housing Action Plan .................................................................. 3–38
4 Open Space, Parks & Recreation, Historic & Cultural
Preservation .............................................................................. 4–1
Exhibit 4-1 Jefferson County Parks and Trails (2022) ........................ 4–3
Exhibit 4-2 Open Space, Parks & Recreation, Historical & Cultural Resources Action Plan .......................................... 4–15
5 Environment ............................................................................. 5–1
Exhibit 5-1 WRIAs in Jefferson County ....................................................... 5–4
Exhibit 5-2 Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas: Susceptible
Aquifer Recharge Areas (SUSC) and Special
Aquifer Recharge Protection Areas (SARPA) ............. 5–10
Exhibit 5-3 Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas: Seawater
Intrusion Protection Zones ..................................................... 5–11
Exhibit 5-4 Hydrography: Frequently Flooded Areas,
Streams, and Wetlands ............................................................ 5–12
Exhibit 5-5 Geologically Hazardous Areas .............................................. 5–13
Exhibit 5-6 Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas:
Fish-Habitat Inventory & State/Federal Listed
Species Habitats ............................................................................ 5–14
Exhibit 5-7 Environment Action Plan ....................................................... 5–20
6 Transportation .......................................................................... 6–1
Exhibit 6-1 Functional Classification Map—East Jefferson
County ................................................................................................... 6–4
Exhibit 6-2 Functional Classification Map—West Jefferson
County .................................................................................................... 6–5
Exhibit 6-3 Transit Passenger Trips & Service Hours (2023) ......... 6–7
Exhibit 6-4 Level of Service Definitions—Active
Transportation ................................................................................. 6–11
Exhibit 6-5 Level of Service Definitions—Transit ............................... 6–13
Exhibit 6-6 Off-Street and On-Street Bicycle Routes—East
Jefferson County ........................................................................... 6–16
Exhibit 6-7 2025-2030 Six-year Transportation
Improvement Program ............................................................ 6–18
Exhibit 6-8 Irondale and Port Hadlock Area Improvement
Projects ............................................................................................... 6–20
Exhibit 6-9 Transportation Action Plan ................................................... 6–29
7 Economic Development ...................................................... 7–1
Exhibit 7-1 Employment Concentration In Jefferson
County (2021) ..................................................................................... 7–5
CONTENTS
Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing Draft April 2026
Exhibit 7-2 Unemployment Rate (1990–2024)—National,
State, and Jefferson County .................................................... 7–6
Exhibit 7-3 Covered Employment Share by Sector (2002–
2022)—Jefferson County ............................................................ 7–7
Exhibit 7-4 Average Annual Wage by Sector (2022) ....................... 7–10
Exhibit 7-5 Inflation Adjusted Average Wage (1990–
2022)—State, State Less King, and Jefferson
County ................................................................................................... 7–11
Exhibit 7-6 Sources of Personal Income (2022)—Jefferson
County vs. Statewide ................................................................... 7–11
Exhibit 7-7 Inflation Adjusted Annual Taxable Retail Sales
(2005–2023)—Unincorporated Jefferson County .................................................................................................. 7–12
Exhibit 7-8 Inflation Adjusted Quarterly Taxable Retail Sales* (2013–2023)—Unincorporated Jefferson County .................................................................................................. 7–13
Exhibit 7-9 Estimated Employment Growth by Planning Area (2023–2045) .......................................................................... 7–23
Exhibit 7-10 Economic Development Action Plan ........................... 7–33
8 Capital Facilities & Utilities ................................................. 8–1
Exhibit 8-1 Capital Facilities and Public Services Provided ......... 8–2
Exhibit 8-2 Relationship of Capital Facilities Plan to
Countywide Planning Policies ............................................... 8–5
Exhibit 8-3 Distinguishing Public Purpose Lands from
Essential Public Facilities .......................................................... 8–7
Exhibit 8-4 JPUD Electrical Energy Usage by Customer
Class (2021) ........................................................................................ 8–13
Exhibit 8-5 Estimated Residential Population Electricity Demand (2045) .............................................................................. 8–14
Exhibit 8-6 JPUD Broadband Expansion Projects (2025) ............ 8–16
Exhibit 8-7 Capital Facilities, Essential Public Facilities, and Utilities Action Plan ................................................................... 8–42
9 Climate..........................................................................................9-1
Exhibit 9-1 Change in Summer Surface Temperatures
(2013–2023) .......................................................................................... 9-6
Exhibit 9-2 Percent of the Population Age 65 or Older in
Jefferson County (2022) .............................................................. 9-8
Exhibit 9-3 Tree Canopy Coverage in Western and Eastern
Jefferson County (2021) ............................................................... 9-11
Exhibit 9-4 Major Transportation Routes and Public
Facilities at Risk of Sea Level Rise and Flooding
in Jefferson County ...................................................................... 9-12
Exhibit 9-5 Flood Hazard Mapping of Different Levels of Sea Level in Quilcene Bay ....................................................... 9-14
Exhibit 9-6 Agricultural Resource Lands in Jefferson County (2024) ................................................................................... 9-16
CONTENTS
Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing Draft April 2026
Exhibit 9-7 Historic and Future Air (Shading) and Stream
(Dots) Temperature Throughout the Olympics
and the Impact of Temperature on Salmon .............. 9-18
Exhibit 9-8 Climate Action Plan .................................................................... 9-36
VISION
Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing Draft April 2026
Vision Statement
OUR HOME
Jefferson County encompasses approximately 1,814 square miles of
land, bound on the north and east by the shores of the vast Salish Sea,
with the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Hood Canal to the
southeast. The terrestrial borders of the county join with Clallam County
to the north and west, and Mason and Grays Harbor counties to the
south.
Approximately 80% of the land within the total County acreage is in
non-county public ownership. Jefferson County stretches across
Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest, and encompasses
spectacular rainforests and mighty rivers including the Queets,
Quinault, Hoh, Bogachiel, Quilcene, Dosewallips, Duckabush, and
hundreds of miles of shoreline.
The first peoples of this region—including the Chemakum, Hoh, Kilcid
(“Quilcene”), Klallam, Makah, Quinault, Queets, Quileute, S’Klallam,
Skokomish, Suquamish, Twana, and others—have stewarded these
lands since time immemorial. While colonization disrupted lifeways
and displaced communities, tribal nations persist today as sovereign
governments with affirmed treaty rights, cultural continuity, and
enduring relationships to these lands and waters.
Jefferson County is located within the ancestral territories of many
tribal nations. Federally-recognized tribes with reservation or Usual and
Accustomed use areas include the Hoh Tribe, Jamestown S’Klallam
Tribe, Lower Elwah Klallam Tribe, Makah Tribe, Port Gamble S’Klallam
Tribe, Quinault Indian Nation, Quileute Tribe, Skokomish Indian Tribe,
and Suquamish Tribe. The County affirms the ongoing rights of these
sovereign nations and acknowledges their unceded relationships to the
land, water, and all beings.
Early European settlements began in the mid-1800s. Today’s towns and
villages, rural crossroads, and tribal nations in Jefferson County grew
from early established imprints of urban, commercial, and cultural
centers. Snapshots of our history include the establishment of the
community of Irondale in 1879, leading the way for development of the
iron smelter of Puget Sound Iron Co., later to become Western Steel
Company. The 1870s to 1890s represents the time in our nation’s history
of extensive railroad construction and the anticipation that the City of
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Port Townsend, a well-known seaport, would be the railroad terminus
and prosper—coining the term “City of Dreams”. During that time in
1884, the large sawmill of Western Mill and Lumber Company was built
in Hadlock. An oil boom in western Washington was underway in 1885
and the plat of Oil City in western Jefferson County was registered in
1911, and the same year the alcohol distillery plant making methanol
from sawdust, was constructed in Port Hadlock.
A large iron ore smelter was built in Irondale in 1879 and was operated
by the Puget Sound Iron Company. The plant employed some 400 men
and produced high-quality iron, which was shipped primarily to San
Francisco. The plant closed in 1889, but was reopened several years
later as the Western Steel Company. Western Steel was supposed to
be instrumental in building a railroad from the City of Port Townsend to
Portland, Oregon, but that never happened. By 1909, the steel mill,
working around the clock, was producing approximately 700 tons of
steel per week. Irondale was a bustling boom town. The Seattle Post-
Intelligencer declared in 1910 that Irondale had the potential “of
becoming the largest and most important manufacturing city in
Western America.” But suddenly in 1911, Western Steel declared
bankruptcy, causing Irondale’s collapse. After a brief period of operation
during World War I (1917-1919) to use up stockpiled raw materials, the
plant was dismantled. World War I was on the heels of this time,
starting in 1914.Jefferson County’s geographical setting contributed to
strategic military installations on our shorelines and corresponding
economic development from World Wars I and II. The post-war
decommissioning of coastal defense systems at Forts Warden,
Townsend, and Flagler began a turn away from the military’s
contribution to the economy; and the industrial facilities that
constructed them were largely gone.and the steel mill in Irondale
ceased operation in 1911. Western Mill and Lumber Co. had closed in
1907 when the bottom fell out of the lumber market. 1913 marked the
closure of the short-lived Alcohol Plant.
While many people chose to leave for a more stable economic future,
those who stayed found opening doors to other economic
opportunities. In 1927, the Crown Zellerbach Corporation built a kraft
paper mill near the City of Port Townsend, spending more than $5
million and employing 600 construction workers and later, hundreds of
mill workers. Today, that mill, now known as the Port Townsend Paper
Mill is the largest private employer in the county. Remnants of our
industrial past have become parks and points of interest. Nearly 35,000
people now live in small communities skirting the Olympic Mountains
to the west and east.
As both a refuge from metropolis surroundings, and a destination for
economic opportunity, Jefferson County has stood out as a place where
fishers, farmers, hunters, mariners, artists and artisans, foresters and
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outdoor enthusiasts, as well as independent and innovative
entrepreneurs of every kind have subsisted and thrived in this working
landscape. Jefferson county residents, throughout history rise to the
occasion working to mark new stories for them, their families, and the
county. While residents may be developing a new entrepreneurial idea,
just trying to get by and survive, or working to build a new future
together on the edge of this rural wilderness, they form a diverse
community with a distinctive and collective Jefferson County identity
forging a future together.
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OUR VISION FOR 2045
The communities of Jefferson County embrace a balance of
tradition and innovation while preserving the rural character of our
land and lifestyles. Land use priorities have protected open spaces,
forests, and farmland for long-term management and
conservation, while also embracing innovations that foster
opportunities for increased synergy between natural and built
environments.
Jefferson County believes that investing in our local economy,
culture, and ecosystem yields benefits for current residents and
future generations. Low-impact techniques, localized
environmental remediation, and innovations in housing and
industry benefit overall ecosystem vitality and biodiversity while
aiding ecological restoration and adapting to climate disruption.
The vibrant community fabric offers opportunity for all residents
across incomes, abilities, genders, and family structures to thrive,
age with dignity, and contribute their gifts. We value people not
only for their economic output but also for their participation,
creativity, culture, care, and relationships that sustain our
communities. Jefferson County values life-long learning and
reveres constitutional rights, personal independence and privacy;
and working cooperatively as a community on issues that affect all.
We commit to actively undoing the legacies of racial exclusion,
forced displacement, and environmental injustice by advancing
equity in land use, housing, economic development, and
community engagement. Jefferson County recognizes that Black,
Indigenous, immigrant, disabled, and working-class communities
have historically been excluded from decision-making and land
access. Our planning for the future will center these voices and
ensure meaningful, ongoing participation and benefit.
Jefferson County embraces diversity. We respect and honor tribal
treaty rights and tribal sovereignty. Policies are in place to ensure
that government-to-government collaboration and consultation is
regular and ongoing.
The community values high-quality education, public services, and
facilities. Emphasis on community spaces and networks of non-
motorized trails, bike lanes, and paths encourages interactive
communities of healthy individuals. Community members of all ages
and abilities have access to safe and inclusive environments,
healthcare—including preventative, mental health, and long-term
care—as well as fresh and abundant locally grown food.
Public Health
An additional value could be included regarding public health matching GMA’s
encouragement for planning
for active living per staff suggestions:
“Jefferson County values:
Environments that foster
health for the entire population. We place emphasis on creating places
that make it easy to lead
physically active lifestyles and where there is access to nutritious foods.”
Balancing Competing Interests
Jefferson County’s setting, character, and economy
attracts visitors and new
residents alike. However, the County’s limited affordable housing supply presents
challenges attracting and
retaining families. This Comprehensive Plan establishes goals and policies
balancing competing
interests, such as affordable housing, economic development, and protection
of environmentally sensitive
areas. Together, Jefferson County can be a place of opportunity for all, while
maintaining its character and
environment.
Additional Ideas
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Jefferson County residents value the strengths and resiliencies found in
volunteerism, taking an active role in local government and
participating in organizations and institutions supporting our
communities. Volunteer initiatives and private services provide
additional opportunities and forward momentum in communities
when there are limited public funds and capacity, or when identified
needs are outside of the purview of county government. Jefferson
County also recognizes that sustainable change requires public
investment, accountable governance, and equitable distribution of
resources to meet basic community needs.
Jefferson County enjoys a healthy and diverse local economy with
wisely considered economic development and balanced growth.
Though people inevitably leave their mark on the natural landscape,
through responsible planning, we are intentional with the type of mark
we create, maintaining our character while allowing communities to
develop and thrive. Sectors including food system development,
marine trades and craftsmanship, healthcare and education, resource
management, high-tech and science-based trades; tourism, art and
cultural events, among others, support our robust economy. We believe
that investing in human potential and the resilience of our local
economy, including improved infrastructure networks, yields benefit for
current residents and future generations.
Jefferson County honors and respects the natural world as integral to
our health and lifestyles. The County prepares for projected climate
impacts and protects open spaces, shorelines, forests, clean air and
clean water, wildlife and wildlife habitat so that future generations may
also practice stewardship of the land, the seas, and the communities of
Jefferson County.
Justice-centered responses to climate change, habitat loss, and
ecological disruption must also shape Jefferson County’s future. We
affirm the knowledge and leadership of Indigenous communities,
frontline climate-impacted residents, and those historically pushed to
the margins. Our vision is for a regenerative and equitable future—
where environmental health, social justice, and economic resilience are
inseparable
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