Critical Area Regulations

Critical areas are places that provide habitat for fish and wildlife in and around streams and wetland. Critical areas are also landscapes that are susceptible to erosion, landslides, and liquefaction, as well as areas that are vulnerable to groundwater contamination. 

Specifically, critical areas include the following: 

• Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas (CARAs)
• Frequently Flooded Areas
• Geological Hazardous Areas (Landslide, steep slopes, and erosion)
• Habitat Conservation Areas and Migration Corridors
• Streams
• Wetlands

Given the unique complexities of each of these areas, the associated webpages provide specific information regarding protections and critical area report requirements. 

To ensure that critical area reports fully analyze the project and potential impacts to applicable regulations, the below worksheets must be provided along with the report. Thorough reports result in faster review times and fewer review cycles.