Town of Friday Harbor
Town of Friday Harbor issues proclamation about Domestic Violence Awareness month
PROCLAMATION Hope to Live Free of Abuse WHEREAS, October is recognized nationally as Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and WHEREAS, domestic violence is a complex and pervasive public health crisis that affects individuals without regard to age, race, gender,…
October 1: Final public hearing for Little Project’s requested variances
LWVSJ Observer Corps* summary of the: Friday Harbor Town Council, September 17, 2026 meeting. The Town Council approved the driveway variance requested on the Little Project at 240 First Street. The Council did not approve the roof pitch or landscaping variances…
30 county residents’ poems selected in Friday Harbor’s 3rd Annual Poetry Gardens contest
Washington State Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield selected the 30 winning poems from the 162 entries in the Town of Friday Harbor’s third Poetry Gardens Contest. He noted they make “a really strong, evocative selection” for the Poetry Gardens. Winning poems will be…
Scarecrow contest returns, sign up by October 19
Celebrate fall and participate in the7th annual SCARECROW CONTEST! This year we are again expanding the contest to the Town of Friday Harbor neighborhoods as well! It’s a fantastic opportunity for Town residents and businesses to showcase their creativity while…
September 17: Public hearing on 3 variances for proposed project at 240 First St
A continued public hearing for variances for a proposed three-story, eleven-unit mixed-use building (six transient, five residential) with 21 off-street parking stalls at 240 First St N. will be held during Friday Harbor Town Council’s September 17, 2026 12…
Public hearing continued to Sept 17 for variances for 240 First St
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary Friday Harbor Town Council, September 3, 2026 meeting Mayor Perrollaz announced that the Town has appointed Aaron Lewis of Thompson, Gildner & Associates as its attorney. The Snohomish-based firm specializes in municipal law….
Town of Friday Harbor addresses temporary sewer plant odors
Construction at the Town’s wastewater treatment plant is resulting in occasional odor concerns in the vicinity which are being remedied. The issue is expected to be temporary, and every effort is being made to minimize odors. Town Wastewater Plant Supervisor Joe Pasic…
Town of Friday Harbor adopts transient accommodations regulations
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…
August 20: Town and County Councils to hold joint meeting
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Council and San Juan County Council will hold a special joint meeting on August 20, 2026, from 9 to 11:20 a.m. The special meeting will take place in San Juan County’s Legislative Hearing Room located at…
Town Lodging Tax Grant application deadline September 8 th
The Town of Friday Harbor’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) is accepting applications through September 8, 2026, for grants to promote events and activities taking place within the town in 2027. Up to a total of $120,000 is available to be allocated among…
Town transfers $75k from Water Operating Fund to Water Capital Repair Fund for Lawson pond dam rebuild
LWVSJ Observer Corps*: Friday Harbor Town Council, August 6, 2026 meeting. Recording of Town Council meetings can be viewed on the town’s website : Mayor Perrollaz introduced David Barnes, a new employee at the Water Distribution Department. A Public Hearing…
Public Hearing Continued: Proposed Ordinance No. 1841 – New Regulations for Short Term Rentals
The Friday Harbor Town Council is accepting public testimony on proposed Ordinance No. 1841 , which would establish new regulations for accommodations of 30 days or less. The proposed regulations would apply to hotels, bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and other…
Friday Harbor Town Council approves improving Spring St parking lot, renews inter-local agreement with county Public works
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of Friday Harbor Town Council, July 16, 2026 meeting. The Mayor announced that Taylor Clark was hired by the Streets and Parks Department. The Council approved a resolution to make improvements to the town’s public parking lot on Spring…
Friday Harbor Mayor and Town Council participate in Day of Service
Those seeking more greenery in town will notice that the garden bed on Front Street across from the ferry landing was replanted on July 2 with help from the mayor and Town Council members in celebration of Friday Harbor’s America 250 Day of Service. Port of Friday…
2026 Poetry Garden entries due July 31
San Juan County residents of all ages are encouraged to submit your best original poems to the 2026 POETRY GARDENS CONTEST. Winning entries will be displayed in the town’s four Poetry Gardens! Deadline for submission: July 31, 2026. GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION Author…
100 UW football players will be in town July 18; Grover Street improvement project set for 2027
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of Friday Harbor Town Council, July 2, 2026 meeting. A Town resident from the Finnegan Ridge neighborhood thanked the council for paying attention to their community needs and the progress being made with the neighborhood improvements….
Town of Friday Harbor installing backup cameras in vehicles
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of Friday Harbor Town Council, June 18, 2026 meeting Council passed Resolution No. 3029 Authorizing a Town Driving and Vehicle Policy. It consolidates several policies regarding vehicles, which should eliminate the duplication of…
Signs on light poles subject to $125 fine per posting per day
It is illegal to post signs, posters, flyers, and any other objects on light poles, benches, or other public property within the town of Friday Harbor without a permit per municipal code (Chapter 12.28 Private Use of Public Property). Each posting constitutes a civil…
Town of Friday Harbor earned its 11th Well City Award
LWVSJ Observer Corps* summary of the Friday Harbor Town Council, June 4, 2026 meeting. Executive Assistant Greene presented an Annual Report on the Friday Harbor Arts Commission. Adrian Kilpatrick and Teresa Smith have stepped down from the Commission. Joining the…
$120,000 grant funding available to promote 2027 tourism in Friday Harbor
The Town of Friday Harbor has a total of $120,000 in grant funding available to promote events and activities taking place within the town in 2027. The Town’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) will select among activities designed to attract or entertain tourists…
Town Council approves $62k for utility rate study
LWVSJ Observer Corps*: Friday Harbor Town Council, April 16, 2026 meeting. Council passed Ordinance 1839 , preliminary approval for the Holliwalk Planned Residential Development Application. The Council approved $62,930 for a Utility Rate Study on water, stormwater…
Outdoor burning prohibited in Town of Friday Harbor
Outdoor burning is prohibited year-round within Friday Harbor town limits per state law with the exception of recreational fires within approved containers. This prohibition includes the burning of leaves, clippings, prunings, and other land clearing or gardening…
Jennifer Krembs Honored as Trailblazer Award Recipient by Washington Municipal Clerks Association
The Washington Municipal Clerks Association (WMCA) proudly announces that Jennifer Krembs, Town Clerk for the Town of Friday Harbor, has been named the recipient of a 2026 WMCA Trailblazer Award. This award recognizes a member in the first four years of their career,…
Town and County Councils discuss ferries, affordable housing, tourism, economic development
PRESS RELEASE: Friday Harbor Town Council and San Juan County Council met for a joint meeting April 1, 2026. They discussed tourism and economic development in the islands, ferries and significant legislation, affordable housing projects, and opportunities for…
Town Council funds 3rd Friday Harbor Poetry, Contest, Poetry Gardens and Booklet with Lodging tax funds
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of the Friday Harbor Town Council, March 19, 2026 meeting. Sophia Ramierz, Ellen Cohen, and August Ambrose of the Friday Harbor High School Eco Club presented a report on club activities. The club provides education and outreach to the…
Town hires Robbie Roe as Town Inspector
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of the Friday Harbor Town Council, March 4, 2026 meeting. Mayor Perrollaz appointed Mary McCullogh to the Arts Council. The Town Clerk updated the Council on a new agenda procedure that begins next week. This new procedure will make it…
22 tons of oversized refuse collected in Friday Harbor’s 10th successful Spring Cleanup
The Town of Friday Harbor helped its customers jump start their spring cleaning with free pickup of oversized refuse the week of March 9-13. This is the 10th year the Town has offered the Spring Cleanup service to its residential refuse customers. Public Works…
March 16: Sidewalk grinding begins in Friday Harbor
Pedestrians and drivers are advised that sidewalk traffic will be temporarily detoured in various areas throughout town beginning March 16, 2026, to allow for sidewalk maintenance. Grinding of certain sidewalk panels is necessary to meet ADA standards per the state…
Loan of $2.2 million approved for Friday Harbor water treatment plant
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of the Friday Harbor Town Council, February 19, 2026 meeting. San Juan Council member Kari McVeigh shared information about status of the Washington State Mosquito Fleet Act about enabling passenger-only ferries service during public…
March 9-13: Town to host annual Spring Cleanup
The Town of Friday Harbor is again offering its in-town, residential customers a once-a-year curbside pickup of items that are too large or too heavy for their refuse cans. Pickup of these oversized items will be the week of Monday, March 9 through Friday, March 13….
Town to flush downtown water lines overnight February 26-27
The Town of Friday Harbor will flush water lines in the downtown core Thursday, February 26 through Friday, February 27, 2026. Per state Department of Health regulations, lines must be flushed semi-annually to remove accumulated minerals and sediment in the water…
Additional pruning of Memorial Park elms needed for public safety
One of the 104-year-old Dutch elm trees in Friday Harbor’s Memorial Park will undergo substantial pruning due to advanced rot within a major branch. The second tree will receive more moderate pruning. Although the date and time of this project has not been…
Town Council asked to address concerns about Finnegan Ridge
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary Friday Harbor Town Council, February 5, 2026 meeting. During public comment, a town resident asked the council what the plan was if ICE did a raid on the island. Another resident spoke about a letter from residents of Finnegan…
Town enacts 6-month moratorium on transient rentals
A six-month moratorium on transient rental permits within the town went into effect December 10, 2025. The Town Council voted to continue the moratorium following a public hearing February 5, 2026. Only new building permits and land use applications will be…
Town seeking applicants for open positions on Friday Harbor Arts Commission
The Town of Friday Harbor is accepting applications for open positions on the Friday Harbor Arts Commission (FHAC). Commissioners are volunteers who consider the interests of the Town Council, community, and local artists when advising the council on the selection…
Town residents to receive free recycling carts
Within coming weeks, Town of Friday Harbor residential recycling customers will receive 35-gallon, wheeled recycling carts with lift bars to assist refuse workers with loading recycling trucks. Customers are asked to use the new carts in place of their own cans. …
Town moves forward on permitting for Port of Friday Harbor’s solar panels and float and piling projects
LWVSJ Observer Corps* summary of Friday Harbor Town Council, January 15, 2026 meeting During public comment a representative of the Friends of the San Juan Island supported the Port of Friday Harbor’s Solar Canopies Project . A resident spoke endorsing a letter…
Town of Friday Harbor sidewalks have 64 tripping hazards
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of the Friday Harbor Town Council, January 2, 2026 meeting. Mayor Perrollaz expressed his delight in starting this new year in his role as mayor and thanked all that expressed confidence in him. The Public Works Director gave an update on…
Town Council approves utility rates and 2026 budget
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of the Friday Harbor Town Council, December 18, 2025 meeting. Mayor Jackson recapped the work that the town has accomplished during the four years of his term. He thanked the staff and town council for their good work and offered his…
Local youth lead mock Town of Friday Harbor Council meeting
The Town of Friday Harbor, in collaboration with Friday Harbor Middle School, hosted an educational event for seventh-grade students to engage with local government through a mock Town Council meeting on November 17, 2025. This is the second year the Town has hosted…
Town employees complete confined space safety and rescue training
Town employees complete confined space safety and rescue training Town of Friday Harbor public works employees recently completed hands-on confined space safety and rescue training as part of the Town’s ongoing commitment to employee and public safety. The training,…
Friday Harbor Town Council approves 6 month moratorium on new transient accommodations
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of Friday Harbor Town Council December 4, 2025 meeting. Council Member de Freitas chaired the meeting and was sworn on for a new term. The town gave Rochelle Rodonsky of the Friday Harbor Food Bank a $15,000 check from the Friday Harbor…
County Councilmember administers the oath to newly elected Mayor of Friday Harbor
What an incredible day! Yesterday I had the honor of being sworn in as Mayor of the Town of Friday Harbor, and I’m still feeling deeply humbled by the moment. In the spirit of collaboration and healing past tensions, I asked County Councilwoman Kari McVeigh to swear…
Town of Friday Harbor and community donate $15,000 to Food Bank
The Town of Friday Harbor presented the Friday Harbor Food Bank with a check for $15,000 at the December 4 Town Council meeting. This is the twelfth year the Town has directed that November donations to its Harbor Life Ring utility assistance program go to the food…
Town of Friday Harbor awards $58k of LTAC funds to Chamber
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of Friday Harbor Town Council, November 20, 2025 meeting Mayor Jackson proclaimed November 29 Small Business Saturday and encouraged all to shop local businesses. Director Day of the Chamber of Commerce gave an overview of Chamber events…
Requests for amendments to Town Comprehensive Plan due Dec. 31
Requests for amendments to Town Comprehensive Plan due Dec. 31 The Town of Friday Harbor is accepting sugges tions for amendments to its current Comprehensive P lan . C omments, suggestions, and proposed technical amendments must b e submitted by December 31, 2025, on…
The Town of Friday Harbor seeking applicants for college scholarship
The Town of Friday Harbor is accepting applications for the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Center for Quality Communities (CQC) scholarship. The scholarship is available through a statewide competitive process for high school seniors active in leadership in…
Friday Harbor Town Council special meetings scheduled
The Town Council will hold the following special meetings in November: Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 11 a.m., the Town Council will take part in the Alhadeff Park ribbon cutting ceremony at the pocket park located at Spring and Second Streets. Wednesday, November…
Town will match $7,500 in donations to the food bank in November
Donations made in November to the Town of Friday Harbor’s “Harbor Life Ring” utility assistance fund will again be matched up to a total of $7,500 and forwarded to the Friday Harbor Food Bank Anyone may donate by stopping by Town Hall. Utility customers may also…
Town of Friday Harbor earns another Risk Management Award
The Town of Friday Harbor received the Risk Management Achievement Award from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Risk Management Service Agency (RMSA) for the second year in row. According to AWC, the award recognizes the Town’s hard work and dedication to…
Town’s new Public Works Director starts August 18
LWVSJ Observer Corps* summary of the Friday Harbor Town Council August 7, 2025 meeting. After a public hearing the Council passed the Fats, Oils and Grease Program ordinance. The work on the Wastewater Plant begins on August 18. The town administrator negotiated a…
Topics at Friday Harbor Town Council meeting: Interim Zoning Ordinance, Griffin Bay 49-unit project, abuse to pedestrians from Coho Drive residents
LWVSJ Observer Corps*: Friday Harbor Town Council September 18, 2025 meeting. Council Member Hushebeck chaired the meeting in the absence of the mayor. The County Solid Waste Program Coordinator reviewed the Solid Waste Management Plan that includes the…
Town launches “Be Seen” Safety Campaign
To promote safety during shorter fall and winter days, the Town has launched a safety campaign for residents to “Be Seen”. The Town encourages everyone, but particularly pedestrians and cyclists, to wear visible clothing to increase their visibility to others. Wearing…
Construction Saturday, September 13 on Town Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade
Unscheduled construction on the Town’s wastewater treatment plant will take place Saturday, September 13, 2025, between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. This unanticipated change in the published work schedule is the result of limited subcontractor availability to conduct…
Town Council and Home Trust move closer to a development agreement for Argyle affordable housing
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of the Friday Harbor Town Council August 21, 2025 meeting. Council member Hushebeck chaired the meeting in the absence of Mayor Jackson. The San Juan County Home Trust Board President, and Executive Director and the Home Trust Argyle…
Construction begins on Town Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade
A major upgrade of the Town’s wastewater treatment plant will begin on or after Monday, August 25, 2025. Equipment staging on the adjacent property is expected to begin the week prior. Drivers and pedestrians should be prepared for construction traffic on…
Upgrades to water treatment plant estimated at $5.5 million, federal funds covers $4.5 million
LWVSJ Observer Corps*: Friday Harbor Town Council, July 17, 2025 meeting. After a public hearing, the Council approved the Six-year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) for 2026-2031. The council reviews and approves the plan every year. Council Member…
38-unit Townhouse development to be built on Guard Street in Friday Harbor
Wondering what is happening on the 2.7 acres just south of OPALCO on Guard Street in Friday Harbor? A 38-unit Townhouse development with common areas is planned in the multifamily zone. A preliminary site plan is posted. The proposed development includes…
Town of Friday Harbor approved union labor contract, Town gets DOH loan for 4th water treatment plant filter
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of Friday Harbor Town Council, May 1, 2025 meeting. The County Manager gave a brief update on the May 12 county council meeting agenda which will have a review of the utility element of the comp plan and an update on opioid settlements….
Full reconstruction in store for Marguerite from Park to Spring St in Friday Harbor
The Town received funding from the state Transportation Improvement Board which, when combined with local funds, allows for the full reconstruction of Marguerite Place from the intersection of Spring Street to the intersection of Park Street. The project includes…
Town Council discussed street reclassification, water treatment switch to gravity flow, pedestrian and traffic safety manual
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of Friday Harbor Town Council March 6, 2025 meeting. The mayor announced he has a great grandchild. In opening public comment, a citizen stated their concerns that the town was holding the Home Trust, which was building affordable housing…
Friday Harbor Town Council may provide reflective armbands to make pedestrians crossing the street more visible
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of Friday Harbor Town Council, December 19, 2024 meeting. The Administrator noted the recent car collisions with pedestrians in town crossings. She spoke to the Sheriff, who said the recent incidents had involved older drivers driving the…
Town Council: Sunrise residents worried about impending sewer system failure, want to hook up to Town sewer system
LWVSJ Observer Corps* summary of Friday Harbor Town Council, September 5, 2024 meeting. The mayor proclaimed September Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and presented the proclamation to a citizen who thanked the town for helping raise awareness. The mayor declared that…
Corner lot at Spring and First in Friday Harbor is for sale for just under $3 million
The lot at 80 Spring Street in Friday Harbor, the former location of historic Herb’s Tavern, is for sale. The asking price is $2,950,000. The approximately 50′ x70′ lot was cleared after the devastating arson fire in April 2022 . The corner lot is in the heart of…
6 months after the fire: What was lost and what’s next
posted October 7, 2022 – Six months ago, an arson fire destroyed three historic buildings in Friday Harbor. In an essay posted on historylink.org , Lynn Weber/Roochvarg of Friday Harbor described what was lost. “The community mourns the loss of…
ATF to determine cause of Spring Street fire in Friday Harbor
An excavator began tearing down the burned structures on Spring Street Thursday afternoon. Herb’s Tavern, Crow’s Nest coffee shop, Windermere Realty, and the building to the east burned early Thursday morning after a fire is believed to have started near or in…
Rot found in 100-year-old Elm tree in Friday Harbor
Due to the sudden, unexpected breakage and the resulting imbalance of the remaining tree, the public is advised to exercise extreme caution and avoid the area until the stability of both trees can be assured. On the advice of the arborists, the Town is…
Arson cause of April 7 Friday Harbor fire; investigation by ATF and Sheriff for suspects continues
Joint Release San Juan Island Fire and Rescue, Town of Friday Harbor, and San Juan County Sheriff’s Office: The cause of the April 7, 2022 fire has been determined to be arson. On the morning of April 7, 2022, a fire was reported behind some commercial buildings on…
Memorial Park monument unveiled 100 years ago in Friday Harbor – posted 11/11/21
posted 11/11/2021 – On Armistice Day November 11, 1921, the first memorial monument in Washington state honoring WWI soldiers was dedicated in Friday Harbor. One hundred years later, the gray granite Memorial Monument remains a poignant reminder of the…