Planning Department

The City of Cle Elum’s Planning Department’s objective is to preserve and enhance the community’s character by using current and long-range planning techniques. The Planning Department is responsible for implementation of the Cle Elum Comprehensive Plan and the adopted development regulations.

The Planning Department is the keeper of geographical data such as the City’s Official Zoning and Land Use Maps and Critical Areas maps. Planning is also the administrative authority over design review, grading and excavation permits, sign permits, environmental permitting such as critical areas, shorelines, and floodplains, State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and many other aspects of development and long-range planning.

Commissions:

• The Planning Commission is a quasi-judicial body that reviews and makes recommendations on various land use decisions and is tasked with developing and implementing the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
• The Historic Preservation Commission is a quasi-judicial body that reviews and decides on historical register properties, and historic related development, particularly within the downtown core area.