This month: Adopting Critical Areas Ordinances by Reference Guidebook, Housing updates, upcoming events



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June 17, 2025
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Planners’ Monthly Newsletter – June 2025

*This month: Adopting Critical Areas Ordinances by Reference Guidebook, CHIP grants updates, upcoming events

*

New guidebook: Adopting Critical Areas Ordinances by Reference

Guidance for Adopting Critical Areas Regulations cover

The Growth Management Act requires cities and counties to designate and protect critical areas. Some small cities have the option of adopting their county’s regulations, with required steps.

To clarify the process, Commerce published new guidance for cities on adopting their county’s critical areas regulations by reference.

Find the Guidance for Adopting Critical Areas Regulations by Reference in Washington State [ [link removed] ] document on Commerce’s Critical Areas Protection webpage [ [link removed] ].



Periodic Update Grants available for 2027 jurisdictions

Jurisdictions with periodic updates due in 2027 can apply now for Periodic Update Grants from Commerce. Please use this online form [ [link removed] ] to apply. Application materials and instructions can be found on the GMA Grants webpage [ [link removed] ].

Jurisdictions with due dates in 2026 will be contacted by their regional planner.

Periodic Update Grants provide noncompetitive funding to assist cities and counties in updating their comprehensive plans and development regulations consistent with the Growth Management Act.

Available funding is determined by population and whether the jurisdiction is fully or partially planning under the GMA.

For questions, contact your regional planner [ [link removed] ].

*Housing updates*

CHIP grants open to applications July 16

The next round of Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) grants will open to applications July 16. Competitive funding will be available as follows:


* $55 million for all jurisdictions
* $30 million for small jurisdictions
* $5 million for a pilot program in Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan counties

Application materials will be available on the GMA Grants webpage [ [link removed] ]beginning July 16.

*Workshop:* Commerce will host a CHIP application workshop at 1 p.m. July 10. Register for the workshop. [ [link removed] ] Attendance is not required to apply.

Created in 2021, CHIP helps local governments create affordable housing by reducing or covering costs associated with water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure. Learn more on Commerce’s CHIP webpage [ [link removed] ].

Housing laws list is updated

Commerce has updated its overview of housing planning laws [ [link removed] ] to reflect changes from the 2025 legislative session. It covers changes since 2019.

*Climate updates*

New revenue tool can clarify TDR/LCLIP decisions

Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) is a market-based mechanism that encourages the voluntary transfer of growth from areas a community wants to conserve to urban areas where growth should be encouraged, consistent with Growth Management Act goals.

Commerce recently published a TDR revenue projection tool [ [link removed] ] to help local governments explore how TDR could shape growth in their communities.

Screenshot of TDR/LCLIP projection tool

Screenshot for example view of the Transfer of Development Rights Revenue and Growth Planning Tool.

The tool is intended for illustrative purposes to help planners, community members, and decision makers think through policy choices.

For questions on the new TDR revenue tool, contact Angela San Filippo, [email protected].

*From our partners*

DOH logo
DOH shares guidance on using Environmental Health Disparities map

The Environmental Health Disparities [ [link removed] ] map is a tool agencies can use to meet the environmental health cumulative impact analysis requirement under several acts, as a starting place to determine “overburdened” or “highly impacted” communities.

The Department of Health published its first guidance document [ [link removed] ] on using the map. The guidance outlines how the map’s data can be accessed and used, along with limitations.

For questions, contact [email protected].



MRSC Logo
MRSC highlights best practices in public engagement

The Municipal Research and Services Center recently compiled an inventory of tools, tips and best practices for planners to support better public engagement.

MRSC looked at examples from Mountlake Terrace, Everett, Olympia and other cities for tips including mobile-friendly design, interactive mapping platforms, translation and more to support broader participation in planning processes.

Read the full article: Expanding Public Participation in Planning Using Digital Tools. [ [link removed] ]



Puget Sound Climate Preparedness Collaborative logo
Survey seeks insight on climate preparedness in the Puget Sound

The Puget Sound Climate Preparedness Collaborative [ [link removed] ] (Collaborative) is conducting a community needs survey to better understand how local governments, tribes and organizations across the Puget Sound area are preparing for the impacts of climate change and what support is needed.

Your input will help shape technical assistance and learning programs, ensuring the work is responsive to local needs. Please consider taking the survey that best fits your organization. It takes about 15 minutes.

*For tribes and tribal organizations: *Tribal Community Needs Survey [ [link removed] ]

*For local governments and related organizations:* Community Needs Survey [ [link removed] ]

Please email [email protected] with any questions or requests for additional information.



DNR logo
WGS shares new landslide inventory 

The Washington Geological Survey published a new landslide inventory for Thurston County. A pamphlet (PDF) [ [link removed] ] provides an overview. The geospatial data are available on the Geologic Information Portal [ [link removed] ] or from the Washington State Landslide Inventory Database on our GIS Data and Databases page [ [link removed] ].



*Upcoming events*

Regional Planners’ Forums

The Washington State Department of Commerce, Planning Association of Washington, and 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.

*Northwest Planners’ Forum:* June 26 | In-person in Whatcom County | Register here [ [link removed] ]

*Take survey: *If you have attended a Regional Planners’ Forum or are considering doing so, Commerce invites you to take our 2025 survey [ [link removed] ]. This survey will help Commerce determine training needs for the upcoming year.

The 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, 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.

Our regular online courses resume in September. Check out our Short Course webpage [ [link removed] ] for more information. Meanwhile, Commerce is partnering with Whitman County to host an in-person/hybrid course later this month. Attend in person or register for the [ [link removed] ].

*In-person/hybrid courses:*


* 6 p.m. June 25 at the Public Works Auditorium [ [link removed] ] in Colfax
* Attend in person or register with Zoom [ [link removed] ].





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About Commerce

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