The Community Development department consists of: Planning, Building, 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.
Development Services processes over 30 different types of land use actions and permits, the most requested including:
Development Services staff also participate with other staff in formulating new code provisions to implement policies as adopted by the Council and constantly researches new ways to streamline the development review process and provide friendly customer service.
For more information on long range planning, current planning, and other resources, please visit 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 Developing & Building page.
Code Compliance is dedicated to preserving a safe, clean, friendly community for all our citizens. We are committed to working with the public on compliance of City codes through education, awareness, and enforcement.
Code Compliance responds to concerns about possible code violations occurring on private property. We work with reported violations of a variety of codes and ordinances. Our goal is to inform, educate and provide a reasonable opportunity for voluntary compliance.
Development Services handles concerns regarding building and land use violations. Visit our code compliance webpage for more information.
Economic Development is defined by the City of Sequim as: To retain existing businesses and attract new businesses that increase the amount of money being imported into the community while regularly exporting a product or service.
Economic Development is a focus of DCD and the City Manager's Office. Economic development encompasses retaining existing businesses and attracting new ones that contribute to an increased influx of money into the community. It involves encouraging businesses to export their products or services on a regular basis, thus boosting the local economy.
View our Economic Development webpage for more information and resources.
The DCD Staff is a small team. To provide the best customer service, please call and schedule an appointment with a team member or leave a message with DCD Staff providing details concerning the information you seek. Because of commitments, it isn't guaranteed that DCD will be available to provide immediate service if you choose to come in without an appointment. The DCD phone number is 360-683-4908, or you can email buildingdept@sequimwa.gov and someone from our team will reach out to you.
Please meet Lindsey Sehmel, she is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys photography and exploring with her 9-year-old son when not serving society in her professional role. Lindsey has worked in the land use planning field for over 17 years starting her career with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and most recently was self-employed as a land use planning consultant under her firm ETHOS PNW prior to accepting the role of Community and Economic Development Director. Lindsey is very excited to join the community of Sequim with her family and is happy to bring her knowledge and experience to support the needs and desires of the community as a whole. Please take a moment and come say hello and meet Lindsey.
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 5 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 2 dogs.
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 (8, 3, and infant), 2 dogs, and a cat.
Emily Coler, Community Development Specialist:
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 and is currently taking courses through the Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO) accreditation program to obtain more certifications. In addition, she holds a master's degree from American Military University. She lives in Sequim with her husband, 3 kids aged 9, 7, and 3, and dog.