Guides

Guides for Whidbey Island Property Owners

Permits, ground conditions and how the work gets done across Whidbey Island & Island County.

Long open trench with a white pipe along its wet bottom, between a lawn and a pile of crushed rock

Footing Drain vs French Drain: Where Each One Goes on a Whidbey Island Lot, and the Washington Rules That Apply

A footing drain sits beside the footing under at least 6 inches of rock. A French drain clears wet yard ground. Where each goes on an Island County lot.

A finished gravel driveway running between tall trees and ferns toward a small outbuilding

What Is the Best Gravel for a Driveway on Whidbey Island? Quarry Spalls, 1 1/4 Minus and 5/8 Minus Compared

Best gravel for a driveway in Island County: crushed rock in layers. Quarry spalls on soft ground, 1 1/4 minus base, 5/8 minus top, crowned about 4 percent.

Excavator working a cleared strip of wet ground in the woods, with dump trucks parked behind it

French Drain or Curtain Drain? Which One a Wet Whidbey Island Lot Needs, and the Washington Rules That Apply

A curtain drain catches water from uphill. A French drain clears the low spot. Choosing for a wet Island County lot, plus the 30 and 10 foot septic setbacks.

Excavator bucket digging into the ground on a wooded lot

Do You Need to Call 811 Before You Dig on Whidbey Island? Washington's Dig Law, Locate Marks and Private Lines

Yes, almost always. In Island County, mark the dig area in white and call 811 at least two full business days ahead. What the marks mean and what 811 skips.

Fire-damaged two-story house with charred framing and burned debris piled in the yard

Do You Need a Permit to Demolish a House on Whidbey Island? Island County Demolition Permits, Asbestos Surveys and the 10-Day Notice

Yes. In unincorporated Island County, tearing down a house takes a demolition permit, an AHERA asbestos survey and an NWCAA notice with a 10-day wait.

Aerial view of a long driveway running in from the road to a cleared homesite and a house in the trees

Do You Need a Permit for a New Driveway on Whidbey Island? Island County Access Permits, Culverts and Sight Distance

In Island County a driveway needs no building permit, but a new entrance onto a county road needs a Public Works access permit before the building permit.

Excavator on a freshly cleared lot on Whidbey Island with the pulled stumps stacked at the tree line

Do You Need a Permit to Clear Land on Whidbey Island? Island County Clearing, Grading and Tree Removal Rules

When Island County requires a clearing and grading permit on Whidbey Island: the 500 cubic yard line, two acres to bare earth, shoreline and steep slope ground.

Mini excavator with a tilt rotator cutting a level bench into a slope before a retaining wall goes in

Do You Need a Permit for a Retaining Wall on Whidbey Island? Island County's 4-Foot Rule, Surcharges and Slope Setbacks

In unincorporated Island County a retaining wall 4 feet or less with no surcharge needs no building permit, and the 4 feet starts at the bottom of the footing.

Let’s Clear the Way

Get In Touch With Whidbey Dirt Works

Need land cleared, a lot graded, a driveway put in, drainage fixed, or a storm mess hauled off? Reach out for a free, no-obligation estimate. We’ll look at the ground with you, give you a written price, and get your job on the schedule.

(360) 544-9109
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Serving Whidbey Island & Island County & Skagit County
Open 24/7: call anytime, storms included

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