Zoning
Zoning is a governing body’s means to regulate the growth and development of a specified area. Zoning may also take the form of restrictions regarding use of property and restrictions regarding construction on real property. A governing body will adopt detailed maps that specify zoned areas, and the uses permitted within zoned areas.
Growth Management Act
Washington’s Growth Management Act is codified in RCW 36.70A. A purpose of the Washington’s Growth Management Act is to prevent urban sprawl, protect the environment, and preserve natural resources industries. Washington’s Growth Management Act also requires counties and cities meeting certain criteria to create and adopt a comprehensive plan.
Comprehensive Plan
A Comprehensive Plan created pursuant to Washington’s Growth management Act is a complicated and detailed document used by governing bodies in planning for the future. A Comprehensive Plan usually includes maps, principles, standards, policies, goals, and descriptions for use by planning officials in planning for the physical development of commerce, industry, housing, transportation education, agriculture, recreation and public lands.
Urban Growth
Urban Growth is growth that makes intensive use of land for the location of buildings, structures, and impermeable surfaces to such a degree as to be incompatible with the primary use of land for the production of food, other agricultural products, or fiber, or the extraction of mineral resources, rural uses, rural development, and natural resource.
Urban Growth Area
An Urban Growth Area (UGA) is generally an area of land, designated by a county and/or city, within which urban growth is encouraged and non-urban growth is discouraged. Likewise, outside of the UGA, urban growth is discouraged and non-urban growth is encouraged. UGA areas and densities may be adjusted based upon 20 year population projections made by the office of financial management of a county. Each UGA shall permit urban densities and shall include greenbelt and open space areas. However, cities and counties have discretion in their comprehensive plans to make many choices about accommodating growth.
