Government
Shoreline Management
The Green/Duwamish River runs 93 miles from the Cascades to Elliott Bay, with 13 miles flowing through Tukwila’s industrial, commercial, and residential areas. Over time, development reshaped the river — forests were cleared, levees built, and waterways altered. State and federal regulations now require stronger habitat protection, stormwater management, and restoration efforts.
To meet these requirements and guide future growth along the river, Tukwila adopted a comprehensive set of local policies and regulations outlined in the City’s Shoreline Master Program and Comprehensive Plan.
Most projects within 200 feet of the shoreline require a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit. These rules aim to balance development with protection and restoration of the river’s ecology.
Regulations
- Shoreline Master Program (Ordinance 2626)
- Shoreline Master Program — Appendix A: Shoreline Inventory and Characterization Report
- Shoreline Master Program — Appendix B: Shoreline Restoration Plan
- Shoreline Regulations (Ordinance 2627)
- Critical Areas Regulations (Ordinance 2625)
Historic documents
- Periodic Update FAQs
- TMC 18.45 Critical Areas Ordinance — Public Review Draft (March 2019)
- Summary of Key Revisions to TMC 18.45 Critical Areas Ordinance
- Final SMP Update Public Outreach Plan
- SMP Gap Analysis Report
- Shoreline Environment Map
- Matrix of Planning Commission Changes to 18.44 Public Review Draft
- Matrix of Planning Commission Changes to SMP Public Review Draft
- E18-0011 SMP DNS
- SMP PC Recommended Draft (April 2019)
- SMP PC Recommended Draft Strikeout (April 2019)
- TMC 18.44 PC Recommended Draft (April 2019)