The general purpose of the Skamania County Shoreline Master Program is to guide use and development along the shorelines to protect the natural resources and functions and to recognize and protect private property rights consistent with the public interest.

Shorelines in Washington state are protected under the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) of 1971. The SMA requires every Washington city and county with shorelines to adopt a Shoreline Master Program (SMP) with policies and regulations that guide use of both public and private uses of Washington's shorelines. SMPs protect natural resources for future generations, provide for public access to public waters and shores, and plan for water-dependent uses.

Skamania County’s SMP was first adopted in 1974 to meet the requirements of the SMA and the SMP Guidelines in WAC 173-26. The SMP was last revised in 2020 as part of a state-mandated comprehensive update.

Quick Links

• Shoreline Master Program
• Shoreline Environment Designation Online Map
• Property Owners Handbook
  • Single-family Residential Handout
  • Critical Areas Handout
  • Vegetation Conservation Handout
• Application Forms
  • Master Application Form
  • Exemption Packet
  • Substantial Development Permit Packet
  • Conditional Use Permit Packet
  • Variance Packet
  • Joint Aquatic Resource Permit Application (JARPA)