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
GMS Programs
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
Short Course on Local Planning
Short Course Schedule, Guidebook, Training for Open Public Meetings Act, Short Course Video
Short Course on Local Planning
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
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
- Growth Management
- Governor's Smart Communities Awards
- Climate Program
- Planning for Housing
- Laws and Rules - Growth Management Act
- Periodic Updates - Growth Management Act
- Growth Management Grants
- Growth Management Topics
- Guidebooks and Resources
- Civilian-Military Compatibility
- Defense Community Compatibility
- Ecosystem Services Program
- Regional Planners' Forums
- Short Course on Local Planning
- Submitting Materials to the State
- Tribal Planning Coordination
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
- August Newsletter
- July Newsletter
- June Newsletter
- May Newsletter
- Legislative Update Newsletter
- April Newsletter
- March Newsletter
- February Newsletter
- January Newsletter
2023 Newsletter Archive
Contact
Dave Andersen, AICP Managing Director
Email: Dave.Andersen@Commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 509-434-4491