Public Comment is open now through Dec. 6, 2023. Commerce has prepared two draft middle housing model ordinances as required by RCW 36.70A.636(2). Commerce also has prepared an accompanying user guide. These two ordinances and the accompanying user guide will provide technical assistance and guidance to cities adopting their own middle housing ordinances, regulations, and other official controls. Draft Model Ordinance for cities 25,000 and over (PDF) Draft Model Ordinance…
Author Archives: AndrewN
Commerce seeks public comments on its climate element planning guidance. The Washington Department of Commerce is seeking public comments on its draft intermediate climate planning guidance (PDF) for developing a comprehensive plan climate element. Commerce will provide an open comment period starting Oct. 23 through Nov. 20 for the public to review and comment on the draft intermediate guidance. Per HB 1181 (2023), Commerce must publish “intermediate” guidance by the…
Commerce seeks public input on PRO Housing application. Ver información en español // 以中文查看内容 Public comment period through October 19, 2023 The Washington State Department of Commerce seeks public input on its grant application to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Commerce is applying to HUD’s PRO Housing grant program, requesting $10 million over a six-year period to support cities and counties in Washington state as…
Commerce has developed a Draft Displacement Risk Map to support jurisdictions with the new housing element requirements. This map will help jurisdictions meet GMA requirements to “identify areas that may be at higher risk of displacement from market forces.” A webinar was held on September 7 to share our methodology and answer questions about the new map. Check out the Draft Statewide Displacement Risk Map webinar recording (Vimeo) or visit…
Apply now for Climate Planning grants Commerce will make approximately $30 million available in climate planning grants for the 2023-2025 biennium to implement HB 1181 (2023). Each fully planning city and county is eligible for funding based on applicability (RCW 36.70A.040 (4)). Climate planning grants are available for the development of climate change and resiliency elements in local comprehensive planning. Funding is available under a formula with priority for the…
With renewed funding from this year’s legislative session, the CHIP program will open for a new round of funding on August 1, 2023. CHIP supports housing affordability by paying for water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure for new housing projects where at least 25% of the units are affordable to occupants at or below 80% area median income. Details and program guidelines can be found on the CHIP program website, which…
The nomination window for the 2023 Governor’s Smart Community Awards is now closed. We want to thank everyone for their amazing submissions. Our judges will work furiously over the coming weeks to review the applications and select winners for the Smart Awards categories. You should expect to hear more about winners later this summer. These awards highlight the actions of local governments and their partners across our great state, providing…
As we recently shared in a Special Edition of the Planners’ Newsletter, this past legislative session resulted in the most significant reforms to the Growth Management Act (GMA) in over two decades. The Legislature and the governor went big on issues like housing and climate change and continued the process of updating the state’s growth policy framework. These successes took strong leadership, a broad coalition and bipartisan cooperation. Adding important…
Commerce Growth Management Services (GMS) has updated our HB 1337 Draft Accessory Dwelling Unit Guidance (PDF), this time with requirements reflecting recent session law HB 1337. We are opening a 30-day comment period on the new guidance with comments due by June 15, 2023. Recently passed in the 2023 legislative session, the intent of HB 1337 is to further ADU construction, and increase the variety of housing types and housing…
The Washington State Department of Commerce has released its final guidance to address racially disparate impacts in comprehensive plans. The new guidance provides a recommended methodology and checklists to help jurisdictions demonstrate that they have taken the steps to satisfy the new Growth Mangement Act (GMA) requirements in RCW 36.70A.070(2)(e-h). In 2021, the Washington State Legislature changed the planning requirements for housing through House Bill 1220 (HB 1220) (PDF). These…