The bill seeks to expand urban growth area boundaries in Washington State to promote residential development by requiring cities and counties to include parcels adjacent to existing urban growth areas or those with access to urban services in their designations. Specifically, any parcel that shares a boundary with a residentially developed area or is located across a road from such an area must be included in the urban growth area during the next comprehensive plan update. However, the bill prohibits the inclusion of critical areas, designated agricultural or mineral resource lands, and other specified areas in these expansions. It also clarifies existing laws regarding urban growth area designations and emphasizes the importance of consulting with federally recognized tribes during revisions.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that counties and cities establish a public participation program to engage the community in the planning process, with comprehensive plan updates occurring no more frequently than once a year, except under certain conditions. It requires counties to review and revise their urban growth areas to accommodate projected growth over the next 20 years while ensuring that revisions do not increase the total surface area or negatively impact critical resource lands. The legislation also introduces reporting requirements on implementation progress related to housing affordability, permit processing timelines, and greenhouse gas reduction efforts, along with provisions for technical assistance from state agencies and potential exemptions for counties meeting specific criteria. Overall, the bill aims to enhance planning processes and ensure sustainable development while involving community stakeholders.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 36.70A.110, 36.70A.130