General Island Information
Welcome to our San Juan Islands Neighborhoods. This publication will give you a good introduction to different areas on San Juan Island as well as some specific neighborhood amenities, features, and rules of most of the neighborhoods on San Juan Island.
Internet Connectivity
Fiber internet with speeds up to 200mb is expanding on the island and is installed on the main arterials, including Roche Harbor Road, West Valley Road, Cattle Point Road, Beaverton Valley Road, San Juan Valley Road, Bailer Hill Road, Douglas and most of Westside Road. It has also been installed in many neighborhoods, which are considered the “middle mile” and may only need to be brought to property which is considered the “last mile.” Rockisland.com features a map where you can enter an address and learn if fiber is available or nearby a specific property address.
LTE is available in some areas with speeds up to 25mb. DSL in the phone line will provide around 2-4mb and is always available. Rockisland.com features a map where you can enter an address and learn if LTE is available or nearby a specific property address.
Satellite is available if you have line of sight from the property. Enhancements by the various service providers are in process. Starlink satellite is currently being installed with very good results but new users must be on a wait list.
Vacation Rentals
Vacation rental permits are not available to property on the Town of Friday Harbor water system and are also restricted in some plat CC&Rs. The exception to town water restriction is if the property is zoned commercial, then the vacation rental use is allowed.
Currently there are a limited number of vacation rental permits allowed County wide. The limitations were set at the current level in 2022 and the County will conduct a lottery for any new permits on an annual basis. If you are looking for a vacation rental investment, it is best to purchase a property that has an existing active vacation rental permit..
RV or Tiny Homes
Some acreage parcels will allow RV’s or Tiny Homes. Generally, properties over 5 acres that are not part of a subdivision will allow for them depending on CC&R’s. In some plats you can have RV’s or a trailer during the construction of homes only.
Home Owner’s Associations (HOA)
If a neighborhood has common features such as private roads, moorage, community water systems, etc, it is likely some sort of assessment is required. Each HOA sets their budget annually and adjusts the amounts due from the property owners accordingly.
Docks and Mooring Buoys
Historically, with waterfront parcels, a permit for a mooring buoy could be obtained if you are not placing it in the channel or interfering with an existing buoy. The cost was around $8,500 and the process took about 1 year. Buoys had been encouraged as anchorage is much more likely to damage eel grass beds. When a property is sold, typically a registered mooring buoy is transferred as well. Currently, all new permits are on hold at the state level pending negotiations with the Tribes.
Docks are very difficult to obtain. The process takes about 2 years and they must be shared with other property owners. The cost of permitting, legal fees and installation is around $400,000. If you need a dock; buy existing. Further, on the island we have numerous public moorage facilities and a few private ones. The Port of Friday Harbor, Jensen’s, Shipyard Cove, Roche Harbor and Snug Harbor are all public facilities.
Western Neighborhoods
Properties can have expansive views of Haro Strait, Vancouver Island, Canadian Gulf Islands, Olympic Mountains, fishing and freight traffic. The areas offer a mix of inland parcels, some with water views plus low, medium and high bank waterfront properties. Many properties have good sun exposure and can also experience a little more wind and weather exposure.
Highlights - Lime Kiln State Park and Preservation Trust area, San Juan County Park and Snug Harbor.
Mitchell Point / Snug Harbor Area Mitchell Point Community Water Septic Fiber Vacation Rentals - subject to permit No Manufactured Homes
Smugglers Cove Area
Community Water or Private Wells
Septic
Fiber Nearby (on Westside Road)
Vacation Rentals - subject to permit
No Manufactured Homes
Private Community Beach
Mount Dallas Area Private Wells Septic DSL - Some CenturyLink Fiber is available Vacation Rentals -subject to permit CC&R’s Private Roads
Hannah Area Private Wells Septic Fiber on Hannah Road Vacation Rentals - subject to permit/CC&R’s CC&R’s Private Roads
Hannah Heights Plat Community Water Septic Fiber No Vacation Rentals CC&R’s Community Beach
Spinnakers Plat Community Water Septic Fiber
Vacation Rentals Allowed CC&R’s Private Roads Walking Trails
Carefree Plat
Private Wells
Septic
Fiber
No Vacation Rentals Allowed
No Manufactured Homes
CC&Rs
Private Roads
High Haro Plat
Community Water
Septic
DSL
No Vacation Rentals Allowed
No Manufactured Homes
CC&Rs
Private Roads
West Side Area Private Wells Septic Fiber - on Westside Road Vacation Rentals -subject to permit/CC&R’s CC&R’s Private and Public Roads
Southern Neighborhoods Properties can have expansive views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Lopez Island, Whidbey Island, Outer San Juan Islands, Olympic Mountains and Peninsula. These areas offer a mix of inland parcels, some with water views plus low, medium and high bank waterfront properties. Many properties are lightly treed and have good sun. They are Less protected from wind and weather as the predominate weather pattern is from the south. Highlights - American Camp National Park, South Beach, 4th of July Beach and Jackle’s Lagoon. Cape San Juan Plat Community Water Septic Fiber No Vacation Rentals No Manufactured Homes CC&R’s Private Roads Community Beach, Pool & Clubhouse Private Marina with Moorage Cattle Point Plat Community Water Septic Fiber Vacation Rentals -subject to permit No Manufactured Homes CC&R’s Private Roads Community Beach
Golf Course Plats Community water Septic Fiber Nearby on Cattle Point and Nearby Areas
Vacation Rentals - subject to permit & CC&R’s No manufactured homes CC&R’s
The Oaks Manufactured Home Community Community Water Community Sewer No Vacation Rentals Limited Long Term Rentals Land leased/not owned. $500/mo for land lease & utilities Limited lending - 20% down payment CC&R’s Community Park & Expansive Common Area
Eagle Cove Plat Community Water Septic Fiber on Cattle Point Rd and Eagle Cove Drive Vacation Rentals - subject to permit No Manufactured Homes CC&R’s Community / County Beach
Kanaka Bay Plats Community Water or Private Wells Septic Fiber on Bailer Hill Rd Vacation Rentals - subject to permit No Manufactured Homes CC&R’s Private Community Beach
Portland Fair / Panorama Plats Community Water Septic Fiber No Vacation Rentals No Manufactured Homes CC&R’s Common Areas
False Bay Area Private Wells or Community Water Septic Fiber on main road Vacation Rentals subject to permit and CC&R’s Manufactured Homes allowed subject to CC&R’s CC&R’s - on some properties Acreage Properties
Jensen Bay Area
Private Wells or Community Water
Septic
Vacation Rentals subject to permit and CC&R’s
Manufactured Homes allowed subject to CC&R’s
CC&R’s - on some properties
Acreage Properties
Northern Neighborhoods
Properties can have expansive views of Haro Strait, San Juan Channel, San Juan Outer Islands, Canadian Gulf Islands, Roche Harbor, Garrison Bay and Westcott Bay. The areas offer a mix of inland parcels, some with water views plus low, medium, and high bank waterfront properties. Many properties have good sun exposure and are more protected from wind and weather exposure. These areas experience drier and sunnier days on the island than on the south end of the island.
Highlights - English Camp National Park, Roche Harbor Resort and Westcott Bay Oyster Farm.
Roche Harbor Area – Resort with lodging, groceries, boat rentals, restaurants, retail, services, marina, hiking trails, art walk areas of interest, the air park and float plane service.
Roche Harbor Community Water Sewer in Resort and in some areas nearby with Septic outside Resort Fiber - in resort and coming to surrounding neighborhoods Vacation Rentals - allowed subject to permit, CC&R’s or resort zoning No Vacation Rentals in West Point Condos No Manufactured Homes CC&R’s
White Point Area Roche Harbor Community water Septic Fiber coming Vacation Rentals – subject to permit No Manufactured Homes CC&R’s Walk to Roche Harbor Resort Amenities
Roche Harbor Skyway Plat Roche Harbor Community water Septic Fiber Vacation Rentals - subject to permit Manufactured Homes allowed CC&R’s Walk to Roche Harbor Resort Amenities
Davison Head / Neil Bay Plats Roche Harbor Community Water Septic Fiber Vacation Rentals – subject to permit No Manufactured Homes CC&R’s Walk to Roche Harbor Resort Amenities
Limestone Point Plat Limestone Point Community Water Septic LTE and DSL available, Fiber to Rouleau Rd. Vacation Rentals - subject to permit Manufactured Homes allowed subject to CC&R’s CC&R’s Community Beach
San Juan Drive Area
Private wells
Septic
LTE and DSL available, Fiber to Rouleau Rd.
Vacation Rentals - subject to permit
Manufactured Homes allowed subject to CC&R’s
CC&R’s
Neil Tarte Public Park/Beach
Gull Cove Plat Roche Harbor Community Water Septic Fiber in area coming soon No Vacation Rentals No Manufactured Homes allowed CC&R’s Community beach
Bridle Trails Plat Roche Harbor Community water Septic Fiber in area and coming soon Vacation Rentals - subject to permit Manufactured Homes allowed CC&R’s Community Beach at Davison Head isthmus Several lots with Airstrip Access.
Yacht Haven / Garrison Bay Area Private wells or Community Water Septic Fiber on Yacht Haven, Shorett and Garrison Drive, DSL available and some LTE Vacation Rentals - subject to permit Minimal CC&R’s Manufactured Homes allowed
Westcott Bay Plat Private Wells or Community Water Septic Fiber on Roche Harbor Road Vacation Rentals - subject to permit Manufactured Homes allowed Minimal CC&R’s
Central Neighborhoods Properties can have valley, farm and lake views and many offer ponds or lake access. Easy access to Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor. Subject to the amount of trees, these parcels can be protected from wind and weather. Highlights - Sportsman’s Lake, Lakedale Resort, Pelindaba Lavender Farm, San Juan Vineyard Winery. Lake Edna Plat Community Water Septic DSL and LTE available. Fiber in Beaverton Valley Road Vacation Rentals - subject to permit and CC&R’s No Manufactured Homes CC&R’s Private Community Lake
Sportsman’s Lake Plat Community Water Septic Fiber in arterial Egg Lake CHECK?? No Vacation Rentals No manufactured homes CC&R’s Community Lake
Cady Mountain Area Private Wells Septic DSL and some LTE available Vacation rental subject to permit and CC&R’s Manufactured Homes allowed, subject to CC&R’s CC&R’s case by case Mostly Large Acreage Parcels
San Juan Valley Area Private Wells or Community Water Septic DSL and LTE Available. Fiber on Bailer Hill and San Juan Valley Road Manufactured Homes Allowed, subject to CC&R’s CC&R’s case by case Mostly Large Acreage Parcels
Vacation rental subject to permit and CC&R’s Beaverton Valley / Sandwith / Savannah Private Wells or Community Water Septic DSL available. Fiber on Beaverton Valley Rd Manufactured Homes allowed, subject to CC&Rs CC&R’s case by case Acreage
Vacation rental subject to permit and CC&R’s Egg Lake / Eagle Crest Private Wells or Community Water Septic DSL available, partial fiber on Egg Lake Manufactured Homes allowed CC&R’s case by case Acreage
Vacation rental subject to permit and CC&R’s
Three Meadows Plat Private Wells or Community Water Septic Partial Fiber on Egg Lake Road Vacation Rentals - subject to permit and CC&R’s CC&R’s Private Roads Acreage Common Areas include - Forest Walking Trails, Orchard, Veg Patch and Barn
Eastern Neighborhoods Properties can have expansive views of San Juan Channel, Orcas Island, Shaw Island, Mount Baker, and ferry traffic. These areas offer a mix of inland parcels - some with water views - plus low, medium and high bank waterfront properties. Many of the lots are heavily treed and can be shady. Properties on points or more lightly treed and can have nice sun. These areas are more protected from wind and weather with the exception of occasional Nor ‘easter winter storms. Highlights – Town of Friday Harbor and Jackson Beach, University of Washington Biological Preserve and public hiking trails. Friday Harbor Area Town offers ferry, groceries, lodging, retail, services, marina and county offices. No Vacation Rentals allowed with exception of commercial zoned or grandfathered in properties. Town of Friday Harbor water and sewer (base cost $200). Rock Island umbrella for internet including fiber. Minimal CC&R’s in some neighborhoods. Manufactured homes allowed in in some areas. Brown Island Town Water Septic Fiber Community Moorage No Vacation Rentals CC&R’s Community Pool, Beaches and Fitness Room Full Time Caretaker Transportation to and from Friday Harbor Boat Slips and Parking in Friday Harbor No manufactured Homes
Pear Point / Turn Point Area Town Water or Private Wells Septic DSL and LTE available. Some Fiber. No Vacation Rentals in Homes with Town Water No Manufactured Homes Minimal CC&R’s Community and Public Beaches
Mineral Point Plat Mineral Point Community Water Septic Fiber No Vacation Rentals CC&R’s Private Road Private Community Beach
Mineral Heights Plat Mineral Heights Community Water Septic Fiber No Vacation Rentals allowed CC&R’s Community Beach Private Roads
Rocky Bay Area Private Wells Septic DSL and LTE available. Fiber in Roche Harbor Road Vacation Rentals allowed - subject to permit and CC&R’s. CC&R’s Private Roads Private Community Beach Acreage
University Heights, Point Caution Plat Community Water Septic DSL and LTE available. Fiber in Roche Harbor Road Vacation Rental allowed - subject to permit No Manufactured Homes CC&R’s
Hillview Terrace Plats Town Water Septic DSL and LTE available. Fiber in Roche Harbor Road No Vacation Rentals allowed on Town Water Manufactured Homes allowed in first division only CC&R’s
This resource is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for your purchase decision. A buyer should always process their own due diligence.
Written by:
Merri Ann Simonson and Terri Zambrovitz
simonson@sanjuanislands.com
360-317-8668
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