Counties and cities planning under the Growth Management Act are required to complete periodic updates to their comprehensive plans and development regulations. This page provides guidance and resources to assist local planners in preparing their periodic updates for review by Commerce.
Periodic Update interactive map
Local jurisdictions can use the interactive map to review a tailored list of resources related to their next periodic update. The data contained in the interactive map is also available in the County GMA Periodic Update document (Excel).
Periodic Update workshops
Commerce routinely hosts workshops on specific elements of the periodic update process. These workshops provide valuable opportunities for local jurisdictions to understand and meet the requirements of the periodic update.
Upcoming workshops – 2027 Series
Tribal participation
- 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 29
- View/download the tribal participation workshop flyer (PDF)
- Register for the tribal participation workshop (Zoom)
Previous workshops
Climate
Environmental Justice and Public Engagement
- 2027 Environmental justice and public engagement workshop video recording (Vimeo)
- 2027 Environmental justice and public engagement workshop presentation (PDF)
Housing
Transportation
- 2027 Transportation workshop video recording (Vimeo)
- 2027 Transportation workshop presentation (PDF)
Critical Areas – 1 of 2
- 2027 Critical areas (1 of 1) workshop video recording (Vimeo)
- 2027 Critical areas (1 of 1) workshop presentation (PDF)
Critical Areas – 2 of 2
- 2027 Critical areas (2 of 2) workshop video recording (Vimeo)
- 2027 Critical areas (2 of 2) workshop presentations (PDF)
2027 Periodic Update Kick-Off Workshop
2026 Series – Partially Planning Jurisdictions
- Partially planning jurisdictions workshop slides (PDF)
- Partially planning workshop video recording (Vimeo)
2026 Series – Tribal Participation in Planning
- Tribal Participation in Planning video recording (Vimeo)
- Tribal Participation in Planning workshop presentation (PDF)
2026 Series – Transportation Workshop
2026 Series – Climate Workshop
- Climate Workshop presentation (PDF)
- Climate Workshop video recording (Vimeo)
- Translated versions
- Farsi – Climate Workshop video recording (Vimeo)
- Khmer – Climate Workshop video recording (Vimeo)
- Korean – Climate Workshop video recording (Vimeo)
- Mandarin – Climate Workshop video recording (Vimeo)
- Pashto – Climate Workshop video recording (Vimeo)
- Spanish – Climate Workshop video recording (Vimeo)
- Vietnamese – Climate Workshop video recording (Vimeo)
- Translated versions
2026 Series – Public Engagement and Environmental Justice
- Public Engagement and Environmental Justice presentation (PowerPoint)
- Public Engagement and Environmental Justice video recording (Vimeo)
2026 Series – Capital Facilities
2026 Series – Critical Areas (2 of 2)
2026 Series – Critical Areas (1 of 2)
2026 Series – Housing Workshop
2026 Series – Kickoff event
On Final Approach – Workshop for jurisdictions due December 31, 2025
2025 Series – Capital Facilities Workshop
2025 Series – Climate Workshop 1
2025 Series – Climate Workshop 2
2025 Series – Critical Areas Workshop
2025 Series – Housing Workshop 1
2025 Series – Housing Workshop 2
2025 Series Kick-off
- Workshop recording (Vimeo)
- Periodic Update introduction (PDF)
- Commerce resources and grant’s introduction (PDF)
- Thurston Regional Planning Council introduction (PDF)
- Municipal Research and Services Center introduction (PDF)
- Commerce Housing introduction (PDF)
- Commerce Climate introduction (PDF)
2025 Series – Transportation
2025 Series – Tribal Participation in Planning Workshop
On Final Approach – Workshop for jurisdictions due December 31, 2024
- On Final Approach Workshop presentation (PowerPoint)
- On Final Approach Workshop video recording (Vimeo)
2025 Legislative Wrap-up
- Legislative Session Wrap-up workshop video (Vimeo)
- Legislative Session Wrap-up workshop slides (PDF)
Tips and Takeaways – 2024 Periodic Update
2024 Legislative Wrap-up
Growth Managment Act and Comprehensive Plan Update
Past session videos from the 2024 workshop series hosted by Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) can be found on the PSRC website.
Resources
April 1, 2026 update: Commerce is working to distribute uncontracted Periodic Update Grant (PUG) funds from this fiscal year. Jurisdictions with a 2026 periodic update deadline may be eligible for amended funding. Eligible jurisdictions can apply online. Applications must be submitted by noon PDT on April 15, 2026.
Counties and cities planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA) are required to complete periodic updates to their comprehensive plans and/or development regulations as outlined in RCW 36.70A.130(5). Periodic update grants provide funding to assist cities and counties in meeting these requirements.
Counties and cities automatically become eligible for funding based on the due date of their periodic update. Award letters detailing award amounts and application instructions are sent to eligible jurisdictions each year.
Grants are available to counties and cities based on their population and planning status, as follows:
PUG Contacts
- Ashley Murphy, GMS Contracts Coordinator – ashley.murphy@commerce.wa.gov
- Ashey Dofner, GMS Contracts Assistant – ashley.dofner@commerce.wa.gov
- Paul Johnson, GMS Operations Support Manager – paul.johnson@commerce.wa.gov
The Housing Planning Requirements Tool summarizes housing requirements for Washington state counties, cities, and towns under the Revised Code of Washington. It is intended to support local government staff, officials, and partners in understanding and implementing housing planning requirements in state law. To use the tool, download the file and enable editing.
- Periodic Update Final Adoption Resolution example (PDF)
- Capital Facilities Plan: City of Wenatchee (PDF)
- Comprehensive Plan: City of Des Moines (PDF)
- Comprehensive Plan: Grays Harbor County (partially planning)
- Comprehensive Plan: City of West Richland (PDF)
- Critical Areas Ordinance: City of Pullman (partially planning) (PDF)
- Housing Action Plan: City of Leavenworth
- Work program: City of Tumwater (PDF)
- Scope of Work: San Juan County (PDF)
- Findings of Fact and Resolution: Spokane County (SpokaneCounty.org)
- Findings of Fact and Resolution: Pacific County (PDF)
Counties and cities must be up-to-date with the requirements of the GMA, including the periodic update requirements, to be eligible for grants and loans from certain state infrastructure programs.
Commerce maintains a list of local governments’ periodic update status and Growth Management Hearing Board orders to help applicants and funding programs implement this requirement.
See the GMA Periodic Update and GMHB Status Report (PDF).
The Status Report is advisory and is based on the most recent information available to Commerce on the date it is published. If you believe the information on the report is not accurate, please contact Mary Reinbold at Mary.Reinbold@commerce.wa.gov.