Clallam County Proposes Higher-Density Zoning for 47 Acres Near Sequim

By R.E. Carlino, The Sequim Post
October 26, 2026 12:30 AM

Clallam County commissioners will continue a public hearing Tuesday, October 27, on proposed zoning changes that could allow higher-density residential development on approximately 47 acres just outside Sequim city limits.

The proposal would rezone two areas in Sequim's unincorporated Urban Growth Area (UGA): approximately 17 acres near North Priest and West Brackett roads (Northern Sequim UGA zoning map) and 30 acres near Miller Road, east of South Sequim Avenue (Southern Sequim UGA zoning map).

Both areas would change from Sequim Urban Residential II (S(R-II)) to Sequim Urban Residential III (S(R-III)), increasing permitted residential density from five to 10 units per acre.

Bruce Emery, director of the Clallam County Department of Community Development, told The Sequim Post that the affected properties include a mixture of vacant, fully developed and partially developed lots. Existing property owners within the designated areas would become eligible for higher-density development, subject to applicable regulations.

Properties outside the proposed rezoning boundaries would retain their current zoning.

Why the county is proposing the change

The proposed changes are part of the county's periodic Comprehensive Plan update, required under Washington's Growth Management Act.

County planning documents project that the unincorporated Sequim UGA will gain 477 residents between 2020 and 2045, representing approximately 30% growth over its 2020 population of 1,577.

The City of Sequim, which is counted separately, is projected to gain 2,959 residents during the same period, an increase of approximately 37%.

The county's Land Capacity Analysis identified a shortfall of 147 higher-density housing units needed to accommodate projected housing needs across different income levels in the unincorporated Sequim UGA.

Emery explained that increasing the allowable density from five to 10 residential units per acre would help the county meet its housing targets.

“The likelihood of multi-family dwellings with sufficient capacity to meet the housing target was simply too low within the S(R-II) zone, hence the map amendment proposal,” he said.

The Planning Commission originally considered rezoning approximately 31 acres but ultimately recommended a different configuration totaling 47.06 acres. According to the county's analysis, the two areas could provide capacity for approximately 220 additional residential units. That represents potential development capacity, not proposed construction.

“The change in land use and zoning designation is simply a requirement to demonstrate capacity to meet housing targets,” Emery said.

He confirmed that the county has received no development applications or proposals for the affected areas.

City involvement and infrastructure

Although the properties are outside Sequim city limits, the City of Sequim has been involved in reviewing the proposed changes. Emery said county staff coordinated with city planners in 2025, and the city expressed no concerns about the proposed rezoning.

Under an existing urban services agreement, the city also reviews significant future development proposals within the unincorporated UGA. The county incorporates city comments and concerns into conditions of approval.

Water and sewer services are available adjacent to both rezoning areas. Emery said developers would likely be responsible for installing distribution lines needed to serve future construction, following city specifications.

According to Emery, the county's Capital Facilities Plan includes a traffic study that evaluated projected growth in the Sequim UGA. He said the study concluded that current roadways and intersections were adequate to handle projected growth over the 20-year planning horizon.

The Board of County Commissioners will continue its public hearing on the proposed Comprehensive Plan and zoning amendments on Tuesday, October 27, at 10:30 a.m., at the Clallam County Courthouse in Port Angeles.

Emery said final adoption is unlikely at that meeting because the county is still preparing an implementation strategy for the plan's Climate Element. That document will require additional opportunity for public review and comment before the final ordinance is adopted.

Residents can review the proposed zoning maps and supporting documents on the Clallam County Comprehensive Plan Update website. ⬥