Recommended rural (acreage) neighborhoods near Sequim, but OUTSIDE the Dungeness Water Rule???

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by carolochs

I'm not looking to build. And the water rule boundary maps (which I had found previously) don't show names of specific neighborhoods, so it's kind of tricky to eyeball what-is-where when looking at real estate. T...

the map is very specific as to boundaries, do an over lay and PRESTO. look OUTSIDE that area,

[carolochs]

Thanks very much for your input, Folks!!!

[cgreenPA]

Originally Posted by carolochs

Hey Guys....

Investigating the Sequim area (as well as other Western WA area) but concerned about this Dungeness Water Rule issue. (Jeez, and I thought us CA-ians were the only ones with water issues! Apparently not!)

Anyway....interested in finding nice rural (acreage) neighborhoods near Sequim, but outside that water rule boundary. Any recommendations???

Link for the Dungeness Water Rule Map showing areas that are affected:

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If the link doesn't work for you do an Internet search for "Dungeness Water Rule Map" and you will find it on the official Clallam County website. There is a link for it on there. The DWR covers a very large area to the east, west and south of Sequim, WA. If that is the area you want to live in you won't be able to escape it. I am no expert on it, but it seems to have the greatest impact on "new water users" which I assume means people buying land and and putting in a well. However, I think there may be some post "permit free wells" regulations coming into play for people who buy land with pre-existing wells in place. It is complicated and I think there is a group legally challenging it. You might want to consult with a local real estate attorney who has expertise in it. I am planning to buy a retirement home near Sequim. I currently live on the west side of the Olympic Peninsula which has heavy rainfall and I look forward to the drier climate of Sequim. I go to Sequim all the time so I am very familiar with it. I have decided to buy on the outskirts of Sequim and not right inside the city limits. From what I can see there are rigid water restrictions placed on the Sequim city residents that affects water usage and high water/sewage rates. This explains all the dead, dried up lawns and the ugly gravel - no grass lawns- coming up all over Sequim. There are nearby communities that have private water systems and are still watering their lawns. I am looking into buying in one of those communities, but perhaps the DWR will start imposing fines in these private water owners for watering their lawns. I don't know. What I do know is that no one is watering lawns in the city of Sequim. Oh, and another think to know, if you plan to buy an unimproved lot in the city limits of Sequim and want to be connected to city water expect to pay a $30,000 permit fee. Yes, you heard that right. That is just for the permit itself, not for the actual work of putting in the water connection to the property.

[cgreenPA]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

the map is very specific as to boundaries, do an over lay and PRESTO. look OUTSIDE that area,

To be outside the DWR area you will have to be much closer to Port Angeles than Sequim. The DWR takes up a very large area to the east, west, and south of Sequim. You will no longer have the advantage of the rain shadow if you want to get out of the DWR area. I am a local and I am very familiar with Port Angeles, Forks, Joyce, Sequim, Carlsburg, Dungeness and Blyn areas. I want to retire in the Sequim-Dungeness valley on the outskirts of the city limits of Sequim to avoid the strict water use issues of being a city resident. If you want to avoid the DWR area you will have to make peace with higher rainfall. I currently live 10 miles west of Port Angeles and it is very lovely, but also very rainy here.

[carolochs]

Thanks for that insight on areas!
I've recently been told that the Seabeck area falls within the rainshadow and has less rain....do YOU know that to be accurate?

[Jumpindogs]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

My parents only have a llama, but I planted probably 1/2 acre of vegetables for them in early June, plus two large greenhouses, maybe 30 fruit trees and no water issues with their well. Their neighbor just recently sold their 25 acre place, and raised cattle there for years and also raised vegetables. Read the code, I thought it applied only to new construction. Better yet, call or visit Clallam County.

WaterRule

My understanding is that it applies to a new water use. So yes, new construction would naturally be restricted but so would a new water use for an existing property. Say a person buys an existing home on an acreage that has not been used to water livestock...that new owner will not be able to water livestock.

I agree that calling the county is the best bet.

[Jumpindogs]

Originally Posted by cgreenPA

To be outside the DWR area you will have to be much closer to Port Angeles than Sequim. The DWR takes up a very large area to the east, west, and south of Sequim. You will no longer have the advantage of the rain shadow if you want to get out of the DWR area. I am a local and I am very familiar with Port Angeles, Forks, Joyce, Sequim, Carlsburg, Dungeness and Blyn areas. I want to retire in the Sequim-Dungeness valley on the outskirts of the city limits of Sequim to avoid the strict water use issues of being a city resident. If you want to avoid the DWR area you will have to make peace with higher rainfall. I currently live 10 miles west of Port Angeles and it is very lovely, but also very rainy here.

We bought property off Palo Alto a bit south of 101 and we are outside the DWR boundary. Less than five minutes to the Marina and the Discovery Trail. Less than 10 minutes to downtown Sequim. And we are definitely in serious rain shadow country.

There is plenty of land outside the DWR boundary southeast of Sequim.

[Jumpindogs]

Here is another map. The roads aren't labeled but you can see them and use a road map to figure what's in and what's out.

[Jumpindogs]

Here is a nice property outside the DWR boundary. MLS# 290611 - 330 McCormick Terrace, Sequim, WA 98382 - Contact Chuck at (360) 775-5424

And another. http://listings.sequim-homes.com/idx...equim-WA-98382