2025 Comprehensive Plan Update

The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) requires Whatcom County to periodically review and revise its comprehensive plan and development regulations under RCW 36.70A.130(1). The GMA also requires the county to review urban growth areas (UGAs) under RCW 36.70A.130(3). The multi-year process to update the comprehensive plan and development regulations is currently underway ahead of the state's December 31, 2025 deadline. 

What is the Comprehensive Plan?

Whatcom County's Comprehensive Plan is a planning document designed to guide growth in unincorporated areas for the next 20 years in coordination with city comprehensive plans. The Comprehensive Plan provides a framework of goals and policies to guide growth, land use, capital facility and transportation planning, and environmental protection. The plan also identifies UGA boundaries, rural areas, agricultural lands, forestry lands, and mineral resource lands, with the majority of the county's growth occurring within UGAs. 

View the current Comprehensive Plan. 

What does the Comprehensive Plan update process involve?

• Implementation of a public participation plan 
• State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) analysis and development of an environmental impact statement 
• Land capacity analysis including buildable lands report
• Advisory committee meetings 
• Whatcom County Planning Commission work sessions and public hearings 
• Whatcom County Council meetings and public hearings 
• Public comment

View a schedule for joint county and city UGA review. 

What is County Council's role? 

The County Council is responsible for reviewing the Comprehensive Plan, holding meetings and public hearings, and adopting a final version of the Plan. 

Planning & Development Services regularly updates a Meetings page where you can find information about upcoming community outreach events, Planning Commission meetings, and other opportunities to provide input on the Comprehensive Plan.