New leadership, CHIP awards, and housing and climate updates



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Feb. 18, 2025

2025 February Planners' Newsletter

Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn headshot
Director Joe Nguyễn takes the helm at Commerce

Commerce welcomed new leadership in January with the appointment of Director Joe Nguyễn. The former state senator for the 34th Legislative District was selected by Gov. Bob Ferguson to lead Commerce’s nearly 800 staff with an emphasis on customer service.

Read more about Nguyễn in Commerce’s news release. [ [link removed] ]



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Gov. Bob Ferguson announces CHIP awards

Gov. Ferguson and Commerce jointly announced [ [link removed] ] $14.6 million in Connecting Housing to Infrastructure awards in late January.

The awards will support projects in 10 counties and help to create more than 1,800 affordable housing units.

CHIP pays for below-ground infrastructure — such as water and sewer pipes — and reimburses waived development fees typically associated with new housing construction.

Commerce also shared a project spotlight [ [link removed] ], highlighting innovative projects supported by CHIP since 2021. Learn more on Commerce’s CHIP webpage [ [link removed] ].

Agritourism study underway

Defining the future of agritourism in Washington requires understanding how state and local policies around zoning, permitting and incentives affect the industry.

Commerce commissioned a study and report on agritourism in Washington to better understand the impact of existing rules and ways that new policies might support farms. This includes a survey.

Farmers, farming communities, and others are encouraged to take the survey [ [link removed] ].

Virtual meetings are set throughout February to gather input from across the state. Find the meeting schedule and more information at WashingtonAgTourism.org [ [link removed] ].

Commerce to present HB 1181 WACs at public feedback sessions

Commerce will share initial draft changes to the Washington Administrative Code Chapters 365-196 [ [link removed] ] and 365-195 [ [link removed] ] during two feedback sessions in March.

These changes implement Chapter 228, Laws of 2023 (HB 1181) [ [link removed] ], which added a climate goal to the Growth Management Act. The draft changes are available on Commerce’s Rulemaking webpage [ [link removed] ].

Feedback sessions are set for: 


* 9-10:30 a.m. March 4: Register for the March 4 session [ [link removed] ]

* 4-5:30 p.m. March 6: Register for the March 6 session [ [link removed] ]

The deadline for submitting comments [ [link removed] ] is March 20, 2025.

Commerce updating housing, climate rules

On Jan. 6, Commerce held a formal public hearing to receive and record comments on proposed rulemaking concerning housing. This rulemaking seeks to incorporate 24 housing-related bills [ [link removed] ] passed into law between 2019 and 2024 into the Washington Administrative Codes (WAC). In total, six people testified on the proposed WACs.

Review WAC 365-196 [ [link removed] ] and WAC 365-199 [ [link removed] ] on the Commerce rulemaking page. [ [link removed] ]

Commerce also is in the process of updating WACs to incorporate HB 1181, which calls for the creation of a Climate Element in the Growth Management Act. We expect to release a preliminary draft of these WACs in February. You can sign up [ [link removed] ] to receive updates.

*Questions? *Contact Deborah Jacobs <[email protected]>.

Climate Updates

Salmon planning grants available

Commerce, in collaboration with the Puget Sound National Estuary Program and the Stormwater Strategic Initiative Lead, is offering salmon recovery planning grants to local governments and tribes in the Puget Sound region. Approximately $1 million in grant funding is available. Learn more and apply on the salmon recovery planning website [ [link removed] ].

Funding maps show wide distribution of climate dollars

Commerce developed interactive maps to illustrate where certain climate grant funding has been awarded across the state. Maps for climate planning grants [ [link removed] ], tribal climate resilience grants [ [link removed] ] and advancing meaningful engagement grants [ [link removed] ] are available now on Commerce’s website. Additional maps are under development.

EPA resources available for local governments

The Environmental Protection Agency’s Local Government Advisory Committee created this guide for local governments [ [link removed] ] who want a quick overview of available resources to address climate change in their community.

Housing Updates

Annual Permitting Performance Reports due to Commerce in March

Beginning in 2025, certain jurisdictions are required to submit annual permitting performance reports to Commerce regarding housing permit timelines. Reports are required for Clark, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom counties and cities within them with a population of 20,000 or more.

The first report is due to Commerce by *March 1, 2025*, and will cover permits issued from Jan. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2024. Commerce will analyze the data and prepare a report to be published by July 1, 2025.

For more information on housing permit reporting and changes to the permit timelines, including a guide for annual permit performance reporting [ [link removed] ], please visit our Local Project Review webpage [ [link removed] ]. 

New residential parking, unit lot subdivision fact sheets available

New fact sheets providing guidance on residential parking [ [link removed] ] and unit lot subdivision [ [link removed] ] are published. The fact sheets cover new requirements in state law, adoption deadlines, and other topics. For questions, contact Infill Housing Manager Lilith Vespier <[email protected]>.

MFTE reports due April 1

Each community offering a Multi-Family Housing Property Tax Exemption program must report to Commerce by every April 1 on program activities in the previous calendar year. Reporting requirements and deadlines are detailed in RCW 84.14.100 [ [link removed] ]. All jurisdictions without an independent audit or review program must submit all MFTE contracts including affordable units for final certifications issued in 2020.

*Links to submit 2024 annual reports:*


* 2024 Annual Reporting Form [ [link removed] ] (all jurisdictions)
* 2024 MFTE Detail Sheet [ [link removed] ] (jurisdictions which issued certificates in 2024)

Middle housing growing in Portland since zoning change

Middle housing development, including accessory dwelling units and multiplexes, has grown significantly in Portland since adoption of the Residential Infill Project in 2021, according to a new report from Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. The Middle Housing Progress Report [ [link removed] ] found that Portland permitted 1,400 ADU and middle housing units between Aug. 1, 2021, and June 30, 2024, in single-dwelling zones. Middle housing is now the most prominent housing type being built in single-dwelling zones.

Growth Management staff update

Jacob Doherty
Jacob Doherty

Jacob Doherty joins Commerce as an executive assistant to provide administrative support to Growth Management Services’ Managing Director Dave Andersen. Jacob will assist with day-to-day operations, oversee special projects and coordinate schedules, among other tasks. 

Now based in Tacoma, Jacob originally hails from Texas where he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He enjoys hiking and running, along with reading history and historical fiction.



Melissa Johnston
Melissa Johnston

Please join us in welcoming Melissa Johnston (she/her) as the newest senior planner at Commerce. Melissa is part of the Climate and Ecosystem Team within Growth Management Services, where she helps communities implement comprehensive plan measures to enhance climate resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Melissa holds a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Portland State University and a bachelor’s degree in forest resources from the University of Washington. She spent the first decade of her career as an environmental outreach specialist, focusing on urban forestry and solid waste management. Melissa then worked as a city planner for Woodland, Wash., and Troutdale, Oregon, where she earned her AICP and CFM credentials.

Melissa is excited to support local planners with their climate planning efforts. In addition to her work at Commerce, she serves as the president of the Southwest Section of the American Planning Association Washington Chapter. She lives in Vancouver, where she enjoys playing bluegrass guitar, hosting board game nights with friends, and planting trees with volunteer groups.



Ethan Porter
Ethan Porter

Growth Management is pleased to welcome Ethan Porter to the housing team. He will assist local jurisdictions with understanding and implementing middle housing legislation.

Ethan is an Air Force veteran and graduate of Eastern Washington University, holding a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning.     

His previous experience includes six years as a planner for the city of Post Falls, Idaho, and in private engineering practice.

Ethan enjoys the collaborative nature of planning work and the positive impact it can have on communities.

Residing in Spokane with his wife and two daughters, Ethan enjoys outdoor activities during all seasons, 3D designing and printing, playing piano and spending time with his family.



We’re hiring!

The Local Government Division is hiring a Local Permit Review Program Manager [ [link removed] ]. This position in Growth Management Services provides advanced program administration, technical assistance and contract management activities for the statewide Local Permit Review program. The program manager will support local governments on project development permit requirements, and work to strengthen accountability to project applicants and the public. 

Outside of Commerce

Submit nominations now for planning awards

decorative

The Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association and the Planning Association of Washington are accepting nominations for the 2025 awards program. Together, they will honor outstanding contributions to the field of planning in Washington at a conference in April.

*Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Monday, March 3.*

Find the awards fact sheet and nomination form online [ [link removed] ].



WSDOT updates planning portal

WSDOT logo

The state Department of Transportation’s Community Planning Portal [ [link removed] ] has been updated to be more user-friendly with new tools and datasets.

The portal provides transportation and land use data to use during planning processes that involve the state transportation system.

Register for the March 6 information session [ [link removed] ].

Contact James Detke <[email protected]> with questions.



Washington Geological Survey shares debris flow assessments

DNR WGS Logo

After wildfires, even modest amounts of rainfall can produce dangerous flash floods and debris flows. Increased runoff, flash floods, and debris flow hazards may remain elevated for several years after a fire.

The Washington Geological Survey Post-Wildfire Debris Flow Program conducts rapid debris flow hazard assessments in areas recently burned by wildfires and monitors the areas for debris flow activity for years afterward. In 2024, WGS completed four of these assessments across Washington. See this year’s reports and learn about the work on the Wildfire-Associated Debris Flow webpage [ [link removed] ].



Fish and Wildlife share new tools

WDFW logo

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) developed a pair of new tools to help landowners measure riparian management zones (i.e., buffers) for full riparian function. The new Guidelines for Determining Site Potential Tree Height from Field Measurements [ [link removed] ] and Site-Potential Tree Height Calculator [ [link removed] ] are available now. Contact Kara Whittaker <[email protected]> with any questions.



Upcoming events

Regional Planners’ Forums

Commerce, the Planning Association of Washington and the Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association collaboratively present the Regional Planners’ Forums [ [link removed] ].

The Planners’ Forums offer a free opportunity for planners, planning commissioners, elected officials and community members to talk informally about local issues, share ideas and receive updates from state and federal agencies.

The Planners’ Forums also satisfy requirements for credentialed planners toward professional development through advanced-level presentations on timely and relevant planning subjects.

*Northwest Planners’ Forum *

The next Northwest Washington Planners’ Forum is a virtual event scheduled for March 6.  The forum will feature presentations on historic preservation, urban design and design review. We expect the forum to be eligible for two certification credits.


* 9:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m. March 6: Register for the Northwest Planners’ forum (Zoom) [ [link removed] ]

*Tribal Planners’ Forum*

This online forum will focus on housing planning and indigenous placemaking.


* 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. March 11: Register for the Tribal Planners' Forum (Zoom) [ [link removed] ]

The Short Course on Local Planning

Tulalip Tribes logo

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, a review of roles in planning, and mandatory training on the Open Public Meetings Act for local government officials. All courses are online, free and open to the public.

The Short Course schedule [ [link removed] ] has been updated for the rest of the year. In addition to multiple new online courses, we are offering several new regional in-person events.

For example, in March we will hold our first Short Course on Local Planning with a tribal planning focus. Many thanks to the Tulalip Tribes for collaborating with Commerce on the course and for hosting the event at the Hibulb Cultural Center [ [link removed] ].

*Online courses:*


* 6 p.m. Feb. 20: Register for the Short Course (Zoom) [ [link removed] ]

* 1 p.m. March 19: Register for the Short Course (Zoom) [ [link removed] ]

*In-person courses:*


* 5 p.m. March 26 at the Hibulb Cultural Center [ [link removed] ]

*Ask about local presentations*

Commerce also offers e-visits to local planning commissions or other meetings. Topics include comprehensive plan basics and roles in the planning process.

Contact your regional planner  [ [link removed] ]to request a presentation.







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About Commerce

Commerce works with local governments, businesses, community-based organizations and tribes to strengthen communities. The department’s diverse portfolio of more than 100 programs and effective public and private partnerships promote sustainable community and economic development to help all Washingtonians thrive. For more information, visit [link removed]. For information on locating or expanding a business in Washington, visit choosewashingtonstate.com [ [link removed] ].

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