Growth Management Act Laws and Rules
Current Growth Management Act Rulemaking
Growth Management Services initiated rulemaking to update Washington Administration Code Chapters 365-196 (Procedural Criteria for Adopting Comprehensive Plans and Development Regulations). The administrative code update will ensure this Chapter incorporates references to the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) and addresses the protection of critical areas where agricultural activities take place.
The Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (CR-101) was filed on June 22, 2016 with formal rules anticipated to be adopted by late summer, 2017.
To view the preliminary draft document with a list of the rule updates, please visit the
project web site.
You may also contact Gen Dial with the Growth Management Services Unit at (509) 218-2934 or gen.dial@www.commerce.wa.gov. Interested parties may also sign up to receive information and participate in the formulation of proposed rules by contacting WACupdate@www.commerce.wa.gov
Growth Management Act RCWs
Chapter 36.70A RCW – Growth Management-Planning by Selected Counties and Cities
Chapter 36.70B RCW – Local Project Review
Chapter 36.70C RCW – Judicial Review of Land Use Decisions
Notice Of Decision - Ferry County Compliance Determination
In 2014, the Legislature adopted Engrossed House Bill 1224 which authorized a process for counties with a population of 20,000 or fewer inhabitants to withdraw from fully planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA). A county that is out of compliance with the GMA is required to address any outstanding issues in their comprehensive plan or development regulations and submit an application to Commerce for a determination of compliance. Ferry County submitted an application on November 3, 2016. After reviewing the record, our agency determined that the County addressed the outstanding issues of noncompliance identified by the Growth Management Hearings Board and the Courts.
For additional information about this decision please contact Dave Andersen at dave.andersen@commerce.wa.govor review our analysis here: Ferry County Compliance Determination
Current Growth Management Act and Related Laws
Washington Administrative Code (Rules)
Chapter 365-185 WAC – Procedures for management of growth management planning and environmental review fund
Chapter 365-190 WAC – Minimum guidelines to classify agriculture, forest, mineral lands and critical areas
Chapter 365-195 WAC – Best Available Science
Chapter 365-196 WAC – Procedural criteria for adopting comprehensive plans and development regulations
Chapter 365-197 WAC – Project Consistency
Chapter 365-198 WAC – Interlocal terms and conditions for the transfer of development rights
Chapter 365-199 WAC – Procedures for making a determination of compliance for jurisdictions seeking voluntary reversion to partial planning status