Background
The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) requires Whatcom County to adopt countywide planning policies in cooperation with the Cities (RCW 36.70A.210). Countywide planning policies are written policy statements used solely for establishing a countywide framework from which county and city comprehensive plans are developed and adopted. Whatcom County’s Countywide Planning Policies were originally adopted in 1993 and last amended in 2021.
Proposed Amendments
Several recent amendments to the GMA require Countywide Planning Policies to address Tribal cultural resources and climate change & resiliency. County and City planners have developed draft amendments to the Countywide Planning Policies to address these and other topics. These draft amendments are available for review here.
Process
The procedures for review and approval of Countywide Planning Policy amendments is set forth in an Interlocal Agreement between the County and the Cities. The process includes a Whatcom County Planning Commission hearing and recommendation, approval by the Cities, and final adoption by the Whatcom County Council.
County Planning Commission meeting agendas and related materials will be posted here.
County Council meeting agendas and related materials will be posted here.
