LWVSJ Observer Corps summary Friday Harbor Town Council meeting August 20, 2026  

Recording of Town Council meetings can be viewed from this site.  Town Council | Friday Harbor, WA

The Council approved Ordinance No. 1841 Regarding Transient Accommodations.  New transient accommodations in the downtown core must be part of a mixed-use structure.  Transient Accommodations are limited to 40% of the total floor space and are required to provide one designated parking space for each sleeping unit. The Community Development Director emphasized that Transient Accommodations are not permitted in town multi-family or singe family neighborhoods. 

The Council approved a one-time $5,000 grant to the Cold Weather Shelter. 

The Council approved the honorary name of Verne’s Way for West Street to recognize Verne Howard’s contributions to Friday Harbor.  

 The Public Works Director and Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor updated the Council on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project.  The project is on budget at $14 million and is scheduled to be completed by July 2027.  

Community Development Director will hold a variance hearing at the September 3rd meeting for the Front Street condominium multi-use project.  

Excerpts of transient accommodations ordinance: 

SECTION 9. A new section is added to Ordinance 1172 and FHMC Chapter 17.80 to be codified as Section .060 to read as follows:
“Transient Accommodation Development Standards.

A. Eligibility. Transient Accommodation(s) require a Minor Conditional Use Permit and are only allowed to be sited in structures in the Commercial Zone where the sleeping uses or guest rooms are located fully within a structure for which a certificate of occupancy was
issued after [Effective date of Ordinance].

B. Prohibition on Conversions. The conversion of existing gross floor area from residential (including workforce housing), retail, or general commercial use to transient use is strictly prohibited, unless equivalent new gross floor area is provided for
commercial/retail/residential-nontransient.

C. Prohibition on Demolition. Demolition of existing commercial or retail structures is prohibited to establish transient accommodation(s).

D. Parking. All transient uses shall provide a minimum of one (1) off-street parking space per dwelling unit or sleeping unit as required under FHMC 17.68.030(B).

E. Parking Incentives. All required parking must be provided on-site or within 200 feet via a recorded parking easement per FHMC 17.68.030(E)(1). No additional incentives for parking are allowed.

F. Mixed-use. All new buildings shall be mixed-use. The maximum mixed use floor area for transient accommodation(s) is 0.4:1.

G. First Floor or Pedestrian Level. All new buildings or mixed-use redevelopment that include transient accommodation(s) shall meet the following:

1. The first floor or pedestrian level shall contain commercial use(s) other than transient accommodation(s) with a minimum mixed use floor area of 0.2:1.

2.  All new buildings or mixed-use redevelopment in the historic downtown district

• a. 100% of frontage shall be non-transient commercial use.
• b. Buildings that have a common wall on both sides may have a single door to provide a means of egress to the second story.
• c. Transient accommodation(s) are not allowed on the first floor or pedestrian levels

3. Outside of the historic downtown district for transient accommodation on the first floor or pedestrian level there shall be a minimum of four units within the development under the same ownership.

*The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to promote public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.