Bolthole Index county-legal census · checked 2026-07-01
1 of Washington's 39 counties — 3% — have no county-wide zoning. That is the 40th-largest count of any state. The strongest of them on the Bolthole Index is Wahkiakum County (63/100). Every entry below cites the county’s own official source.
Rules change, and cities inside these counties set their own — treat this as a verified starting point, not legal advice. All 959 counties nationwide → Full Washington profile →
1 of 39 Washington counties · sorted by Index score
Per the county FAQ, unincorporated Wahkiakum County does not have zoning; only the incorporated Town of Cathlamet has zoning (Title 19).
Wahkiakum County FAQ - Is there zoning? ↗One email a week: the best counties to live off-grid, rule changes that matter, and rule changes as Washington counties adopt or drop codes. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Every county here has a full profile — water, land prices, hazard safety, seclusion, and the rest of its building rules. See the Washington state page for all 39 counties ranked, or go back to the national list.
General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.