Mold Removal in Freeland, WA

Between two bays

Freeland is an unincorporated village on south Whidbey Island in Island County, about 28 miles from Seattle in a straight line. It sits on a mile-wide isthmus with Holmes Harbor to the north and Mutiny Bay on Admiralty Inlet to the south, with a small business village around Main Street and Harbor Avenue.

The county subarea plan describes mostly single-family detached homes on relatively large lots, plus some multi-family housing, the Maple Ridge senior housing center, and apartments south of SR 525.

Drainage is the local issue

Freeland is a designated Critical Drainage Area, which means new development has to add on-site stormwater infiltration. The county notes that more pavement and roofs increase runoff and future flooding potential. Flooding can also come during intense storms or unusually high tides and large seas around low-lying shoreline areas, and FEMA flood rules are applied mainly at building permit time.

On December 27, 2022, during a king tide and low-pressure event, a driver went into floodwater on Shoreview Drive in Freeland and had to be helped to dry land with water at the car windows.

Signs to watch for

Permits and complaints

Island County Planning & Community Development's Building Department issues permits for unincorporated areas like Freeland, with offices in Coupeville and on Camano. Mold removal itself isn't permitted work, but rebuilding can be. County Code Enforcement takes complaints online, though its listed types don't include rental housing or mold.

Renters

Give your landlord written notice of any leak or drainage problem affecting your unit. State law requires landlords to keep the place weathertight and in good repair, and written notice starts repair timelines. The state Department of Health's renters page explains more. This is general information, not legal advice.

Health and calling

Island County Public Health includes safe housing in its environmental health work. EPA advises that people with asthma or weakened immune systems stay away from moldy areas. When you call, you'll be connected with an independent local company. Washington has no state mold license or certification; confirm the company's L&I contractor registration on the Verify a Contractor tool.