Residences: What helps you get a Master Permit?

Cost-saving detailed instructions and tips for parcel owners who may be unfamiliar with new Island County regulatory limits on development of a residence, garage, workshop, RV pad or another land-usage purpose.

Our extensive Guide provides - in one place - convenient and time-saving details about navigating Island County's departmental webpages and collection of information systems to gather existing data. Learn about the sequence in which you will be purchasing essential services and documentation for your Project Proposal to obtain a Master Permit. Use the Guide to help you work with personnel in multiple County departments, avoid costly missteps, reduce permitting delays, and minimize your overall mental and financial stress. Aerial Whidbey's services can support you along the way.

Parcels in Island County can evolve from undeveloped forest to become a dream home, while complying with the 2025 Island County Comprehensive Plan and Amendments to Island County Code that were adopted in June 2026. These updates introduced new constraints on how your rural land may be developed.

If you have the best possible information, it should be easier to work with your service providers and the representatives from several Island County departments to reach a final agreement on a balance between what you want to achieve with the parcel, and the findings and conclusions on pages 3 - 5 of the Comprehensive Plan.

If you own a parcel, or you're an authorized agent for an owner, visit our Contacts page to request a free copy of the Guide.