2025 Comprehensive Plan Update

Review Requirements

The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) requires Whatcom County to review and revise its comprehensive plan and development regulations by June 30, 2025 (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 housing and employment growth projected for the 20-year planning period. Therefore, Whatcom County has initiated a multi-year project to update its Comprehensive Plan and development regulations by the state deadline.

The Comprehensive Plan and development regulation update process will include:

  • Formulating a public participation plan
  • Analysis under the State Environmental Policy Act (this will likely include developing an environmental impact statement evaluating several land use alternatives) 
  • Advisory committee meetings 
  • Whatcom County Planning Commission work sessions and hearings
  • Whatcom County Council meetings and hearings

More information, including hearing dates, will be added as it becomes available.


  

 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update  

Current Comprehensive Plan

Planning Department Recommendation 
(Will be posted in the future)

Planning Commission
Recommendations (Will be posted in the future)


 County 
 Council
 Version
 (Will be   posted in   the future)   
 
 Revised Maps (Will be posted in the future)
  Findings of Fact and
Reason for Action
Ordinance 		  
Chapter 1
Introduction		 Chapter 1Chapter 1Chapter 1Chapter 1 
Chapter 2 
Land Use		 Chapter 2Chapter 2Chapter 2Chapter  2 
Chapter 3
Housing		 Chapter 3Chapter 3Chapter 3  
Chapter 4
Capital Facilities		 Chapter 4Chapter 4Chapter 4  
Chapter 5
Utilities		 Chapter 5Chapter 5Chapter 5Chapter 5 
Chapter 6
Transportation                                		 Chapter 6Chapter 6Chapter 6Chapter 6 
Chapter 7
Economics		 Chapter 7Chapter 7Chapter 7  
Chapter 8
Resource Lands		 Chapter 8Chapter 8Chapter 8Chapter 8 
Chapter 9
Recreation		 Chapter 9Chapter 9Chapter 9Chapter 9 
Chapter 10
Environment		 Chapter 10Chapter 10Chapter 10  
Chapter 11
Climate Change and Resiliency (will be a new chapter)		Chapter 11Chapter 11Chapter 11  
Appendix A
Glossary		 Appendix AAppendix AAppendix A  
Appendix B
Acronyms		 Appendix BAppendix BAppendix B  
Appendix C  
Countywide Planning Policies
Appendix C Appendix CAppendix C  
Appendix D
Bibliography		 Appendix DAppendix DAppendix D  
Appendix E
20-Year Capital Facilities Plan 		 Appendix EAppendix EAppendix E  
Appendix F
Six-Year Capital Improvement Program		 Appendix FAppendix FAppendix F  
Appendix G 
Airport Overlay Zones
 Appendix GAppendix GAppendix G  
Appendix H 
Airport Imaginary Surfaces		 Appendix H Appendix HAppendix H  

 

  

   
 

   
 

Urban Growth Area Review - Jurisdictional Proposals (will be posted at a later date)

  • Bellingham
  • Birch Bay
  • Blaine
  • Cherry Point
  • Columbia Valley
  • Everson
  • Ferndale
  • Lynden
  • Nooksack
  • Sumas