What if the buffer grows here?

Outside the City? Explore a wider band without mistaking it for an adopted rule.

Today, proposed, possible future

Today · rules depend on location

Walla Walla’s listed creek buffers are generally 35 ft, with 50 ft on the listed Yellowhawk reach. Exceptions and shoreline rules apply. Unincorporated land follows County rules; College Place has its own code. The County’s tiered working GIS layer is not proof of an adopted rule.

Current City code · Table 6

Proposed · City of Walla Walla

The City draft proposes 100 ft per side plus a 15-ft building setback. It is not a blanket County rule. Mill Creek follows the Shoreline Master Program.

City draft · Table 6 & setback

Possible future · a what-if, not a forecast

The County’s planning charter includes a critical-areas update. That does not establish a future blanket 100-ft rule. If a wider buffer were adopted where you live, it could reduce space for new buildings, additions or a subdivision; the actual effect would depend on the adopted code and your site.

County project charter · page 5

Ask for local science, a parcel impact analysis and clear protections for existing homes before new rules are adopted.

Hypothetical only. Adds a dashed red band 100 ft on each side of County-mapped waterways in the unincorporated Walla Walla valley. Excludes cities and Mill Creek. No extra setback is drawn. Coverage, sources & limits

CreekCheckerWalla Walla · Washington

Check your creek.

Does Walla Walla’s proposed 100-foot creek buffer touch your lot?

Find your property at creekchecker.com. Read what the draft says and tell the City Council before the vote.

17.9 mimapped creeks

477 acin the band

1,489city parcels touched

Our computation from City GIS centerlines and County parcels, Oct 10, 2026. The consultant’s broader network: 269 to 757 acres (Facet, July 1, 2026). Method: creekchecker.com/method.html.

Today: 35 ft, or 50 ft on Yellowhawk. Proposed: 100 ft plus a 15-ft building setback (Oct 9 draft, Table 6 and setback provisions).

On Sept 14, 2026, the Planning Commission voted 7-0 to send the draft back for science matching local conditions (draft Commission minutes).

Public hearing · October 14

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 · 6:30 pm
City Hall · 15 N 3rd Ave · Walla Walla

Vote scheduled October 28, 2026.
Written comments: CityClerk@wallawallawa.gov

Source: City Council Oct 14 agenda, Item 6E; City CAO project page.

This map is a community awareness tool, not an official determination. Stream lines and the 100-foot band come from the City of Walla Walla's own public GIS layers (published Oct 6, 2026), measured from stream centerlines. The proposed ordinance measures buffers from the ordinary high water mark, top of bank, or channel migration zone, whichever is greater, so the regulated area may be larger than shown. Only the City can determine whether a specific property is subject to critical-areas rules. Nothing here is legal advice. Confirm with City of Walla Walla Development Services (509-524-4710, permits@wallawallawa.gov) or a land-use attorney before you buy, sell, build, or decide anything about your property.