Growth Management

The Growth Management Act (GMA) was adopted to address ways to accommodate growth. It requires that the fastest-growing cities and counties complete comprehensive plans and development regulations to guide future growth. All jurisdictions are required to protect critical environmental areas and conserve natural resource lands, such as farms and forests. The GMA calls for communities to review and, if necessary, revise their plans and regulations every ten years to ensure they remain up-to-date.

Growth Management Services

The mission of Growth Management Services (GMS) is to assist and guide local governments, state agencies, and others to manage growth and development, consistent with the Growth Management Act (GMA). Refer to the quick links on our right-side bar to select a program, topic or support mechanism to assist you in your planning needs.

Services we provide: Direct Assistance, Grants, Training and Education, Guidebooks, Review of counties and cities proposed GMA implementation actions, State Coordination to facilitate GMA-related state agency activities and services to local governments, Governor’s Smart Communities Awards program.

GMS News

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Community-Based Organization Public Participation Grants
March 25, 2024
Are you interested in shaping the future of your community? Do you want to add voices to the conversation about how your community looks and functions in the future? Is funding a barrier to your participation? If so, then you might be interested in this new funding opportunity. Recent updates…
Spokane smart communities award 2023
Governor’s 2024 Smart Communities Awards nominations now open
March 14, 2024
Annual awards recognize outstanding work in community planning and development Olympia, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Commerce has opened nominations for the 18th annual Governor’s Smart Communities Awards, a program that recognizes outstanding work by local governments and their partners on long-term community planning and development. Nominations feature…

GMS Programs

Map of Washington Counties organized by update years

GMA Periodic Update Information

Every county and city in the state is required to conduct a periodic update. Available resources: Guidebook, Update Schedule, Checklists for Counties and Cities.

GMA Periodic Update Information

Students listen to an instructor in a classroom

Short Course on Local Planning

Short Course Schedule, Guidebook, Training for Open Public Meetings Act, Short Course Video

Short Course on Local Planning

Planners' forum meeting in Washington

Regional Planners' Forums

For planners, planning commissioners, elected officials, and community members to learn about an array of timely and relevant planning subjects, receive updates from state and federal agencies on land use issues.

Regional Planners' Forums

Washington state capitol building

Submitting Materials to State for Review

Each county and city planning under GMA is required to notify Commerce when adopting or permanently amending its comprehensive plans and/or development regulations.

Submitting Materials to State for Review

Quick Links

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Planners' Newsletters

By subscribing to Growth Management under the Commerce distribution options in the Subscribe section, you will receive our monthly newsletter in addition to other important GMA related updates. 

2024 Newsletter Archive

2023 Newsletter Archive

Contact

Dave Andersen, AICP Managing Director
Email: Dave.Andersen@Commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 509-434-4491