Growth Management Services conducts routine education and outreach efforts to assist local planners in understanding and complying with their responsibilities under the Growth Management Act. Use the links on this page to navigate to a specific resource.
Planners’ Forums
The Planners’ Forums are a combined effort on behalf of Department of Commerce, the Planning Association of Washington, and the Washington Chapter of the American […]
Short Course on Local Planning
The Short Course on Local Planning offers an overview of land use planning laws in Washington, an introduction to comprehensive planning and plan implementation under the Growth Management Act (GMA), a review of roles in planning, and mandatory training on the Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act for local government officials. All courses are offered at no charge and are open to the public.
Governor’s Smart Communities Awards
The Governor’s Smart Communities Awards recognize outstanding efforts of local communities and their partners throughout the state, creating vibrant and livable communities by achieving the […]
Tribal Planning
The Growth Management Act requires some cities and counties to include a climate resilience element within their comprehensive plans. Many tribes have their own comprehensive […]
Collaborative Roadmap
The Collaborative Roadmap is a multi-year research and analysis project led by Commerce as directed by the Legislature to make recommendations to update the state’s growth policy framework.
Planner’s monthly newsletter
The Planner’s Monthly Newsletter is Growth Management Service’s monthly distribution of information, updates, upcoming events and other news of interest to local planners. Use the subscribe button to sign up to receive the newsletter.
Newsletter archive
2024 Newsletter archive
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2023 Newsletter archive
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