About the Department of Community & Economic Development
Department Mission and Services
Our mission is to foster a safe, equitable, and sustainable community for present and future generations.
The Community and Economic Development department consists of: Planning, Building/Permitting, Code Compliance, and Economic Development. Click on a tab below to learn more information about each.
The Planning Division oversees land use and development applications (such as subdivisions, variances, and conditional use permits) and state environmental regulation compliance. Additionally, the Planning Division leads the long-range planning efforts of the City, and provides staff support to the City Council and Planning Commission.
The City of Sequim Planning Division administers the development codes adopted by City Council. These codes include the Subdivision, Zoning, Shoreline, Environmental, and Building Codes and are essentially the City’s “contract” to develop within the City. The development codes implement policies found in the Comprehensive Plan, Downtown Plan, Shoreline Master Program, Parks Master Program and Transportation Plan.
Planning staff provides customer service for all permit activities (related to these codes) throughout the development review process. Staff are also available to the public regarding any and all questions concerning the different development code requirements.
For more information, please see our Planning Services page.
The Building Division handles construction permitting. Building staff also assist in the intake of permit applications, as well as perform required site inspections through the duration of construction projects.
For more information, including current permit review times, permit types, and frequently asked questions, please visit our Building and Permitting page.
To apply for or pay for a permit, request an inspection, or check the status of a permit, visit our portal by clicking this link. You will be redirected to our Sequim Permit Portal.
Department Notices
DCED has recently made it possible to book appointments with Staff through Microsoft Bookings. For more information, please visit our page here.
We are now offering text messaging! To text us, please message the number below with your name, question, and a parcel number or address as applicable. Note that any correspondence with the City is considered a public record and will be retained.
Some tips to consider before contacting us:
- Are you within City limits?
- The 98382 zip code includes addresses outside the City limits. To be sure, use Clallam County's Multipurpose Map to confirm your location.
- If you are outside City limits, please click to contact Clallam County DCD. - Determine if another department would be more appropriate for your inquiry.
-For stormwater, engineering, or Public Works related questions, call 360-683-5062.
-To pay your utility bill or update your service, call 360-683-4139. - We have an abundance of resources for land use planning and building/permitting available here, including checklists for submittal items that are needed with your project.
- Email us at dced@sequimwa.gov or text us at 360-912-4432. Please provide as much information as possible with your inquiry so we can get your question(s) answered efficiently.
- Call us at 360-683-4908. If you leave a message, please provide as much information as possible, including a parcel number or address, and leave your email address if you have one so we can send you resources.
Meet the Team
Karla Boughton is a planner with more than 30 years of experience in community development. She has worked extensively with mid-sized and small cities on comprehensive plans, housing strategies, land use permitting, and economic development initiatives. Karla is passionate about how thoughtful planning can strengthen economic vitality and enhance quality of life. She is also committed to mentoring future professionals as an instructor with Western Washington University on the Peninsula. Karla lives in Poulsbo with her husband and their labradoodle and enjoys having her adult children close by.
Emily Coler, Permit Coordinator:
Emily, a PNW native and US Navy veteran, has been with the City of Sequim since 2022. She obtained the Permit Technician certification from the International Code Council in 2023. In addition, she holds a master's degree from American Military University. In her free time, she coaches youth soccer, enjoys reading, spending time outside, cooking, and watching TV. She lives in Sequim with her husband, 4 kids aged 11, 9, 6 and a newborn, as well as 1 dog and 1 cat.
Joel Dressel, Building Official:
Joel comes to us with over 25 years in the construction industry. For 15 of those years, he worked in the trades, and served as a Journeyman Carpenter for the last 7. For 12 of those years, he has worked in City government, spending 7 years at Clallam County in the Community Development Department and 7 years with the City of Sequim Community Development Department. He holds 14 certifications from the International Code Council, including Certified Building Code Official and Fire Code Specialist. Joel has two adult daughters and lives in Sequim with his wife and dog.
Travis Simmons, Senior Planner:
Travis is a Port Angeles native who moved back to the Peninsula after graduating from Washington State University (he insisted that “Go Cougs” be included here somewhere) in 2016 with a degree in Sport Management and minoring in Communications. He started with the City of Sequim in 2019 as an Administrative Assistant II. In this role, he helped implement a new online system for Facility Rentals and helped bring the City’s inaugural Sequim 101 program to life.
After just about a year with the City, Travis joined the Department of Community Development as a DCD Specialist to assist with land use administration and permitting. It was in this role that he began to become very familiar with the Sequim Municipal Code and the development community, sparking an interest specifically in current and long-range planning. After a year with DCD, he was promoted to Assistant Planner in 2022, and to Senior Planner in 2024. He plans to obtain his AICP certification in 2025 to become a better asset for the City of Sequim and the community he and his family call home. He lives in Sequim with his wife, 3 kids (10, 5, and 2), 2 dogs, and a cat.