Critical areas provide a variety of valuable, beneficial biological and physical functions that benefit the city and its residents, and/or may pose a threat to human safety or to public and private property. Critical Areas are regulated under BMC 19.40 and are located throughout the City. Protecting critical areas are vital to maintaining a healthy ecosystem for fish and wildlife as well as well as providing open space for Burien residents, which in turn increases public health and safety.
Under Washington State Law, all counties and cities must conduct a periodic review and update their critical areas regulations in accordance with RCW 36.70A.130. The Department of Community Development is updating the City of Burien’s Critical Areas Ordinance, as a part of implementing Burien 2044 Comprehensive Plan, and as required by the Growth Management Act.
Curious if your property is within a Critical area? Check out our Critical Areas Map.
You can stay up to date on our Community Hub Page, where you can follow the project to adoption. This includes an opportunity to sign up for updates, provide feedback and public comment, see the project timeline, access project materials and documentation, and learn more about Burien Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO).