The Washington State Legislature adopted the Growth Management Act of 1990 (“GMA”), Chapter 36.70A RCW, to put a stop to uncoordinated and unplanned growth, which posed a threat to the environment, sustainable economic development, and the health, safety, and high quality of life that we enjoy.1

The Legislature found that it is in the public interest for citizens, communities, local governments, and the private sector to coordinate with one another in comprehensive land use planning.2 Economic development is a component of the GMA, and the Legislature found that it is in the public interest for economic development programs to be shared with communities facing insufficient economic growth.3

State Mandates Guide Local Decisions
Rather than concentrating planning authority at the state level, the GMA sets state goals, establishes compliance deadlines, offers guidance on how to prepare local comprehensive plans and regulations, and sets requirements for involving the public in the planning process.

Local governments retain a variety of choices regarding the content of comprehensive plans and development regulations within the context of state mandates.

Most State Residents Live in Local Jurisdictions that Plan under the GMA
Twenty-nine counties and 218 cities are fully planning under the GMA, comprising 95 percent of the state’s population.4 Of the fully planning counties, eighteen are required to plan under the GMA due to population levels and growth,5 and the other eleven fully planning counties have elected to plan under the GMA.6

Counties that do not fully plan under the GMA still must designate critical areas and natural resource lands and adopt development regulations that protect such areas.7

The Planning Process Involves Several Connected Steps
Local governments fully planning under the GMA begin by developing “county-wide planning policies” to guide regional issues, such as providing affordable housing and public facilities.8 A county-wide planning policy is a written policy statement that establishes a framework to guide the comprehensive plans and development regulations for the county and the cities within that county.9

A county must adopt county-wide planning policies in consultation with the cities located in whole or in part within the county.10

The Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) provides local governments with forecasts that allow each jurisdiction to plan for projected growth within urban growth areas. Armed with OFM forecasts, each local government adopts a comprehensive plan, which is a framework plan for the jurisdiction that is consistent with the county-wide planning policies.11

A comprehensive plan consists of a map or maps and descriptive text covering objectives, principles and standards used to develop the plan.12 All fully planning counties and cities must cover six topics within their comprehensive plans: land use, housing, capital facilities, utilities, transportation, and economic development.13

County comprehensive plans must include a rural element, which provide policies for lands that are not designated for urban growth, agriculture, forest, or mineral resources.14

A comprehensive plan must be internally consistent, which means that the individual elements within the plan should work together in harmony.15

Finally, local governments must adopt development regulations that carry out the objectives, principles and standards of the comprehensive plans.16 The Growth Management Hearings Boards are charged with ensuring compliance with the GMA.17

Planning Goals Guide Comprehensive Plans and Development Regulations
GMA comprehensive plans and development regulations are guided by the following planning goals:

• Concentrate urban growth in urban areas.
• Reduce sprawl.
• Encourage efficient, multi-modal transportation.
• Promote housing that is affordable to all economic sectors of the state.
• Encourage sustainable economic development.
• Preserve property rights.
• Process permit applications in a timely and fair manner.
• Maintain and enhance natural resource-based industries.
• Retain open space, conserve habitat, and enhance recreational opportunities.
• Protect the environment and enhance the state’s high quality of life.
• Encourage citizen involvement and regional coordination.
• Ensure adequate public facilities and services.
• Preserve significant historic resources.
• Manage shorelines prudently.

The GMA Helps Us Manage Growth to Preserve Our High Quality of Life

The GMA requires fully planning cities and counties to concentrate populations within urban growth areas--the idea is to grow “up,” not “out.” In other words, the aim is to encourage densities within urban areas while limiting sprawl in rural areas.

The GMA has helped us accommodate the state’s largest population increase ever--more than one million people since the GMA’s adoption in 1990.19 Washington State was the seventh fastest-growing state during the 1990s in terms of total population growth, and the tenth fastest-growing state in percentage terms.20 There was growth in every county, while some small rural counties experienced slow growth, and 21 of the 29 counties fully planning under the GMA were in the top quarter of fastest-growing counties in the country.21

We are beginning to see the effects of growth management in Washington. Citizens are participating actively in planning for the future of our communities. Agricultural and forest lands are being designated, and natural resource-based industries are being strengthened. Communities are examining their transportation policies and devising better methods to solve congestion. Commun-ities are encouraging new businesses to open in their areas, while preserving the environment. Recreational opportunities are being developed, and access to natural resource lands and water are being enhanced. Historic sites are being preserved. And many cities are reviving their downtown cores with pedestrian-friendly developments that encourage us to step out of our cars and interact with others in the community.