Ocean Shores
Shoreline Master Program Update

The city of Ocean Shores is updating its Shoreline Master Program (SMP).

The SMP is the local instrument by which the city of Ocean Shores and the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) jointly administer the requirements of the 1971 Shoreline Management Act (SMA), Chapter 90.58 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). The overarching goal of the SMA is "…to prevent the inherent harm in an uncoordinated and piecemeal development of the state’s shorelines.”

To achieve this end, the legislation directs the city of Ocean Shores  to focus on three main areas during its SMP update:

• Encourage reasonable and orderly development of shorelines, with an emphasis on water-dependent and related uses that control pollution and prevent damage to the natural environment.
• Protect the natural character of Washington shorelines, including the land, vegetation, wildlife, and shoreline environment.
• Promote public access and provide opportunities to enjoy views and recreational activities in shoreline areas.

The SMP requirements do not apply retroactively and they do not affect existing development. The updated SMP only apply to development or redevelopment occurring after the SMP update is adopted.

The city of Ocean Shores  is required by state law to update its SMP and the city received a grant from Ecology to support that work.

The SMP update will include numerous opportunities for public involvement.

City of Ocean Shores  SMP Update Website

The tabs on this website contain the following information:

Updates – When new materials are posted for review, meetings, hearings, or events are scheduled, website update notices will be posted here.

Overview – General information regarding the SMP update.

Contacts – City and consultant staff to contact if you have any questions or need additional information.

Events – As meetings, hearings, and events are scheduled; information regarding their time and location will be posted here.

Library – All documents including plans and maps related to the SMP update is posted here. The information is broken up into different categories. The library includes background information from Ecology, the City’s current SMP, materials supporting the SMP update, such as the Public Participation Plan and other reports, and materials being updated, such as the map folio and the SMP.

Links – Links to websites related to the SMP update are posted here, including Ecology’s SMP website and the websites of the city of Ocean Shores .

What is a Shoreline Master Program (SMP)?

The SMP is a comprehensive shoreline land-use plan that:

• Protects shoreline processes;
• Promotes public access;
• Accommodates all appropriate shoreline uses; and
• Balances public and private interests.

What is the geographic area covered by the SMP?

The minimum SMP jurisdiction in the city of Ocean Shores  applies to the following shorelines of the state [RCW 90.58.030]:

• Lakes and reservoirs 20 acres and greater in area, such as Duck Lake.
• Marine shoreline: Grays Harbor and the Pacific Ocean.
• Shorelands adjacent to these water bodies. The minimum shoreline jurisdiction for shorelands is the greater of the following:
  • Lands extending landward 200 feet horizontally from the Ordinary High Water Mark.
  • The floodway plus the contiguous floodplain 200 feet landward of the floodway.
  • Associated wetlands and river deltas.

Within the shoreline jurisdiction, regulations in the updated SMP will govern future development, such as bulk and dimensional regulations (various levels of buffers from waterways, height limits), allowed uses, and shoreline modification regulations.

What is the purpose of the SMP update?

The State requires the updated SMP to meet these goals:

• Encourage reasonable and orderly development of shorelines,
• Protect the natural character of Washington shorelines,
• Provide shoreline recreational opportunities, and
• Promote public access to shorelines.

The city of Ocean Shores  must complete the update of its SMP by June 30, 2016.