What are Countywide Planning Policies?
Countywide Planning Policies are a requirement for all counties planning under the state Growth Management Act (GMA). Under GMA, Countywide Planning Policies establish a framework for developing and adopting county and city comprehensive plans. The role of the policies is to coordinate the comprehensive plans of jurisdictions in the same county for regional issues or issues affecting common borders. The Countywide Planning Policies are those things held in common across all jurisdictions' comprehensive plans and which form the foundation of those plans.
Amending the Countywide Planning Policies
Under GMA, the authority for making changes to the Countywide Planning Policies lies with Thurston County. However, the County is required to consult with the cities, towns, and tribes within the County, regarding changes. TRPC's Urban Growth Management (UGM) Subcommittee is the vehicle for this consultation process. The subcommittee is comprised of policymaker representatives from each of the cities, town, and tribes in Thurston County and a representative from the Board of County Commissioners. Amendments to the Countywide Planning Policies are reviewed upon the request of a minimum of four jurisdictions.
Adopted amendments to the Countywide Planning Policies and the adopting resolution:
- 2025 BoCC Resolution XXXXX updating the Countywide Planning Policies to incorporate changes related to tribal coordination
- 2015 BoCC Resolution 15209 amending the Countywide Planning Policies to incorporate changes resulting from Creating Places - Preserving Spaces: A Sustainable Development Plan for the Thurston Region