Planning for Shorelines

Shoreline Icon

The Shoreline Management Act (SMA) requires cities to protect and preserve the natural shoreline landscape. Battle Ground has adopted a Shoreline Master Program (SMP) "to prevent the inherent harm in an uncoordinated and piecemeal development of the state's shorelines."

Shoreline Master Plan 2020 Update

Washington State, in partnership with Department of Ecology (ECY), requires cities with areas designated as “Shorelines of the State” update their Shoreline Master Program (SMP) in accordance with the Washington State Shoreline Management Act and the State Shoreline Master Programs Guidelines. The SMA requires that each SMP conduct a periodic review and incorporate changes, where necessary, on an eight-year schedule established by the State Legislature. 

Adopted program documents

Shorelines Master Program
Shorelines Gap Analysis
Shorelines Map
  1. What is a Shoreline Master Program (SMP)?
  2. Where does this apply?
  3. What is a periodic update of the SMP?
  4. How do shoreline regulations apply to land use and development activities?
  1. What is a Shoreline Exemption and what is required to obtain approval?
  2. How does the SMP affect existing uses and development?
  3. What is public access to shorelines? When is it required?
  4. What is No Net Loss?