Shoreline Master Program (SMP)

In 1971, the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) was passed by the state legislature and adopted by popular vote in a 1972 referendum. The legislature established the SMA in recognition that: “shorelines of the state are among the most valuable and fragile of its natural resources and that there is great concern throughout the state relating to their utilization, protection, restoration, and preservation.”

Cities and counties have the primary responsibility for regulating development along their shorelines and are required to adopt a shoreline master program. The SMP contains goals, policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to projects along the shoreline and within 200 feet of the shoreline.

The Department of Ecology (DOE) has authority to review local shoreline master programs and amendments. For more information regarding the SMA and shoreline regulation, please visit the DOE Shoreline Management Act information page.

Aerial view of beach areas along the Loop Trail.
Aerial view of the black pedestrian bring and the sloped shoreline.
Ped Bridge
Aerial view of the river flowing into wooded inlets on the shore.
Aerial view of Hydro Park and the parking lot, tennis courts and swimming area.
Aerial view of three softball fields by the shoreline.
Aerial view of the river meeting the shore with a pedestrian trail following the shoreline.

Existing Shoreline Master Program Documents

  1. CEW SMP Appendix H (2-10-23)
  2. CEW SMP Chapters 1-9 (2-10-23)
  3. Shoreline Urban Area Map (Part 1) (PDF)
  4. Shoreline Urban Area Map (Part 2) (PDF)
  5. Shoreline Urban Area Map (Part 3) (PDF)