2016 Comprehensive Plan Updates

Review Requirements

The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) requires the county to periodically review and revise its comprehensive plan and development regulations under RCW 36.70A.130(1).

Additionally, the GMA requires review of urban growth areas (UGAs) under RCW 36.70A.130(3). The UGAs must be able to accommodate population and employment growth projected for the 20-year planning period. Therefore, Whatcom County has initiated a multi-year project to update its Comprehensive Plan.

The Whatcom County Planning Commission issued recommendations on January 14, 2016. These recommendations, and the Planning Commission’s findings, are posted below.

The County Council reviewed the Comprehensive Plan, including UGA proposals, between January and August 2016. This review included staff briefings, review of Planning Commission recommendations, city presentations, public hearings, and consideration of public input. The Council adopted Ordinance 2016-034 relating to the Comprehensive Plan update and UGA review on August 9, 2016

View the Growth Management Tools Report

2016 Comprehensive Plan Update
Chapter	Staff Final Recommendation March 2015	Planning Commission Final Recommendations January 2016	County Council Approved Version August 2016	Maps
		Findings of Fact and Reason for Action	Adopted Ordinance
Chapter 1 Introduction	Chapter 1	Chapter 1	Chapter 1	Chapter 1
Chapter 2 Land Use	Chapter 2	Chapter 2	Chapter 2	Chapter 2
Chapter 3 Housing	Chapter 3	Chapter 3	Chapter 3
Chapter 4 Capital Facilities	Chapter 4	Chapter 4	Chapter 4
Chapter 5 Utilities	Chapter 5	Chapter 5	Chapter 5	Chapter 5
Chapter 6 Transportation	Chapter 6	Chapter 6	Chapter 6	Chapter 6
Chapter 7 Economics	Chapter 7	Chapter 7	Chapter 7
Chapter 8 Resource Lands	Chapter 8	Chapter 8	Chapter 8	Chapter 8
Chapter 9 Recreation	Chapter 9	Chapter 9	Chapter 9	Chapter 9
Chapter 10 Design	Chapter 10	Chapter 10	Chapter 10
Chapter 11 Environment	Chapter 11	Chapter 11	Chapter 11	Chapter 11
Appendix A Glossary		Appendix A	Appendix A
Appendix B Acronyms		Appendix B	Appendix B
Appendix C Countywide Planning Policies		Appendix C	Appendix C
Appendix D Bibliography		Appendix D	Appendix D
Appendix E 20 Year Capital Facilities Plan (proposed)		Appendix E	Appendix E
Appendix E 20 Year Capital Facilities Plan (version to be deleted)		Appendix E	Appendix E
Appendix F Six Year CIP (proposed)		Appendix F	Appendix F
Appendix F Six Year CIP (version to be deleted)		Appendix F	Appendix F
Appendix G Water Resources and Salmon Recovery Programs		Appendix G	(incorporated back into Chapter 11)
Appendix G Transportation Impact Fees (version to be deleted)		Appendix G	Appendix G
Appendix H Airport Overlay Zones		Appendix H	Appendix H
Appendix I Imaginary Surfaces		Appendix I	Appendix I
Repealed Maps				Maps
Repealed UGA Maps				Maps