Proposed Annexations

Proposed Annexation of Oak Harbor Urban Growth Area Land

Oak Harbor and Island County are working together to plan for population and employment growth over the next 20 years as required by the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA). As part of the state-required 2025 Comprehensive Plan update, the City must accommodate thousands of new residents and over 5,000 new homes by 2045, and plan for housing for all income levels.

To meet these goals while ensuring development is served by infrastructure (water, sewer, roads) and city services, the City of Oak Harbor and Island County are considering an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) to annex certain unincorporated properties within the city’s existing Urban Growth Area (UGA) into the Oak Harbor city limits. This proposed annexation would not expand the UGA’s boundaries; it only involves land already inside the UGA.

By bringing these areas into the city, Oak Harbor can efficiently manage future growth by applying its development standards, and coordinating infrastructure and public safety services.

Map of Proposed Annexation Areas

The map below highlights the unincorporated areas (in green) within Oak Harbor’s southern Urban Growth Area that are proposed for annexation. Click on the map to view a larger format.

Joint Public Hearing

A joint public hearing will be held by the Oak Harbor City Council and the Board of Island County Commissioners on March 19, 2026 at 1pm at Island County Commissioners’ Hearing Room (Room B-102 ) Courthouse Annex Building, 1 NE 6th Street, Coupeville, WA 98239.

The purpose of the special joint meeting is for members of Oak Harbor City Council and the Island County Board of Commissioners to hold a public hearing and accept public testimony pursuant to Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 35A.14.296 and to consider approval and execution of an interlocal agreement for annexation of property in the area known as the South Annexation Area, located in the City of Oak Harbor Urban Growth Area (UGA) designated under RCW 36.70A.110, as part of comprehensive planning.

Next Steps

Following the hearing, if both legislative bodies agree, they can adopt the ILA and finalize the annexation by ordinance.