Jana Hanson, Director

Community and Economic Development Department

Welcome to the City of Mount Vernon Community and Economic Development Department. Our staff includes Land Use Planners, Engineering Plan Reviewers, Building Inspectors, Code Compliance personnel, and Permit Technicians who are available to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. Our staff is trained in both code administration and permitting processes, and it is our commitment to provide our customers with exceptional service.

The Community and Economic Development Department office is located on the first floor of the Mount Vernon City Hall. Office hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 am to 4:30 pm on Fridays. We have many resources available to the public both at the counter and on our website including land use and building application forms, public utilities maps and critical areas maps. Feel free to stop in or contact us at 360-336-6214.

Who We Are and What We Do

Administration

Under the direction of Jana Hanson, the department provides vision, leadership, initiative, management and coordination to implement the Mayor and City Council's goals for citywide economic development, neighborhood revitalization and expansion. This department also analyzes legislation and coordinates the City's response regarding regional, state and federal legislative issues that affect Mount Vernon.

The Department of Community and Economic Development is responsible for the efforts to support business development while enhancing the quality of life in the community. The City proactively recruits businesses to diversify the employment base. We have successfully streamlined review and permitting, and reduced approval time in order to expedite quality developments.

For additional information, please email Jana Hanson, Director, at janah@mountvernonwa.gov  or call 360-336-6214.

Planning Division: Senior Planners, Elizabeth Higgins and Rebecca Bradley-Lowell

Community Planning

The Department provides long-range land use planning for the Mount Vernon community, including developing, managing and implementing the City's comprehensive plan and growth management compliance. Community Planning also analyzes policy issues and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review on legislative actions; prepares zoning, development standards, and environmental ordinances; processes annexation proposals.

Development Planning

Zoning and Development Review; Shoreline Permits; Special Uses; Land Division; Planned Unit Developments; Variances; Conditional Uses; SEPA; UGA Development Coordination; Rezones; Home Occupation Permits; and Impact Fee Administration.

Building Division: Building Official Rick Prosser

Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Energy Codes; Regulation Enforcement, Issuance of Building Permits; Commercial, Industrial and Residential Plan Reviews; Commercial, Industrial and Residential Building Inspections; Code Interpretation; Code Compliance; Flood Regulations; Community Rating system information, and General facilities maintenance.

Engineering Division:  Development Review Engineer Claudia Oates

Design, construction and inspection of public works infrastructures; private development review, approval and inspection; flood control and surface water management; street and traffic improvements; sanitary and storm sewer improvements and repairs. Maintain maps of streets and city utilities. Pre-application information; review of subdivisions; review of short plats; boundary line adjustments; review of commercial projects; review and inspection of private developments. General information and assistance; citizen contact; inspection requests; sewer permits plans submittal; map sales; right of way permitting.

Click here for a list of staff that can assist you with land use related questions.  Staff Contact List.

Community and Economic Development Services Vision and Mission Statement:

The City of Mount Vernon's Community and Economic Development Department is dedicated to being the best. We work together to accomplish the goals of the whole community, and go the extra mile to educate, streamline processes, encourage solution-oriented decisions, and provide timely and predictable permit processing. We hold ourselves, and our applicants, responsible for developments that enhance the quality of life in our community.