# City of Port Angeles - City Council Work Session @ 5 PM PST 08/25/2026

The City of Port Angeles City Council held a work session on August 25, 2026, on the draft update to its Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO), part of a broader development-code update intended to align regulations with the Vision 2045 Comprehensive Plan, best available science, and state requirements. Staff described a proposed reorganization of Title 15, updated review and mitigation procedures, and draft standards covering wetlands, aquifer recharge areas, flood and geologic hazards, and fish and wildlife habitat. The Planning Commission was scheduled to review the draft on August 26, hold a public hearing September 23, and forward it for planned Council adoption in November. Staff also outlined post-adoption implementation materials, including updated GIS resources and property-owner guidance; urban forestry regulations are being handled separately in a later phase.

Council members discussed potential policy direction, including proactive protection of aquifer recharge areas, robust buffers and wetland mapping, restoration of degraded areas, tree retention, shoreline and eelgrass protection, and clear, consistent permitting and variance processes. Members also raised enforcement capacity, equity and costs for property owners, and mitigation practices as issues for further consideration. No contract awards, purchasing decisions, budget allocations, procurement votes, or other procurement activity were identified; no ordinance adoption vote was taken at this work session.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Environment, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** August 25, 2026

### Sources
- [City of Port Angeles - City Council Work Session @ 5 PM PST 08/25/2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDI8YInxvfA) - City of Port Angeles