This month: Zoning Atlas, upcoming grants, new data tools



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Aug. 14, 2025
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Planners’ Monthly Newsletter – August 2025

*This month: Zoning Atlas, upcoming grants, new data tools*

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A screenshot of the statewide view of the Washington State Zoning Atlas, which compiles zoning data from local jurisdictions into standardized categories for easy comparison.

Commerce launches statewide Zoning Atlas to support smarter planning

Commerce recently launched the Washington State Zoning Atlas (WAZA) [ [link removed] ], a first-of-its-kind tool to compare zoning data from across the state in one standardized, interactive platform. The Atlas is available as an interactive web-based map and downloadable database.

“The Zoning Atlas fills a significant information gap that has limited our ability to see how policies are implemented on large scales,” said Dave Andersen, managing director of Growth Management Services. “Now we have a foundation to see the big picture that will allow us to make better informed decisions.”

Read more about the WAZA [ [link removed] ]

$4.85 million available to support clean energy siting and permitting

Commerce will offer $4.85 million in grants to support local governments and tribes with siting and permitting clean energy projects. Funding will be available for predevelopment work, land use and environmental studies, planning efforts, and staffing to improve permitting timelines.

Funding will likely open in late August with applications due in early October. Awarded funding will be available through June 2027 to support long-term project planning and coordination efforts that help advance Washington’s clean energy goals.

Stay tuned for a Commerce announcement that officially opens this funding, or check Commerce’s funding portal [ [link removed] ] later this month for more details.

Apply for CHIP by Sept. 26.

Applications for the latest round of Connecting Housing to Infrastructure grants [ [link removed] ] are due Friday, Sept. 26. Up to $90 million is available to support the development of affordable housing, including $5 million for a pilot program in Chelan, Douglas and Okanagan counties.

Commerce will host a webinar to answer questions on the pilot program at 1 p.m. on August 26. Please register to attend the webinar [ [link removed] ]. A CHIP applicant must be a city, county or public utility district in partnership with an affordable housing developer, and projects must meet certain criteria. Find more information and application materials on Commerce’s website [ [link removed] ].

Periodic Update Grant deadlines approaching

Commerce provides Periodic Update Grants to support cities and counties planning under the state’s Growth Management Act. Several important deadlines are approaching that jurisdictions should be aware of:


* * 30, 2025:* deadline for *PUG 2026* jurisdictions to return draft scope of work and budget breakdown
* * 17, 2025:* deadline for online application submittal for *PUG 2027* jurisdictions
* * 23, 2026:* deadline for *PUG 2026 and 2027* jurisdictions to sign PUG contract for FY26

Find more information, including application materials, on our GMA Grants webpage [ [link removed] ]. For questions, contact Ashley Murphy, [email protected].

*Housing updates*

Implementing SB 5148: Housing Accountability Act

Adopted in 2025, the Housing Accountability Act (HAA) [ [link removed] ] is intended to support robust and accountable housing planning by providing both a voluntary and selected approval process of housing elements and regulations.


* The *voluntary review process* offers local governments an opportunity to have Commerce review and approve local comprehensive plan housing elements and associated development regulations, and if approved, receive appeal protection. Jurisdictions must notify Commerce of their intent to request voluntary review a minimum of 120 days before applying. *For jurisdictions with periodic updates due Dec. 31, 2025,* *the notice of intent is due to Commerce by Sept. 12 or sooner.* *For more information, attend our HAA Voluntary Review open house on from 1-2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19. **Register for the voluntary review open house.* [ [link removed] ]
* The *selected review process* provides that Commerce may select up to 10 cities or counties a year for a compliance review of their housing elements and housing development regulations. Jurisdictions that are determined to be non-compliant with requirements in SB 5148 will receive technical assistance, and until compliant, may not deny affordable or moderate-income housing developments. Commerce is currently defining the criteria and process for selected review. *An initial stakeholder input session on the HAA selected review process is scheduled from 2-3:30 pm. Thursday, Sept. 11. **Register for the review process input session.* [ [link removed] ]

More details on the Housing Accountability Act can be found on the Updating GMA Housing Elements webpage [ [link removed] ].

New Housing Planning Requirements Tool makes navigating statutory guidelines simple

Commerce has new Housing Planning Requirements Tool [ [link removed] ] designed to help jurisdictions navigate state-level housing requirements.

The tool summarizes applicable rules, implementation timelines, and relevant resources for fully- and partially-planning towns, cities, and counties. It is intended to support planners, elected officials, and interested stakeholders in understanding how state housing laws apply to a given jurisdiction. You can also find this tool and other supporting resources on our Housing Planning webpage [ [link removed] ].

Housing Market Dashboard puts data at your fingertips
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Have you ever wished you had access to ready-made charts and data about housing metrics in your community, or that you could easily compare housing data between your city or county and a neighboring city or county? 

With new housing data dashboards [ [link removed] ] from the Washington Center for Real Estate Research (WCRER), you now can!

WCRER provides easy access to key housing data elements through two dashboards — one for county data and one for city data. The data can also be downloaded in various formats. Data are provided where available for all counties and for all cities with populations 10,000 or more people, as well as selected smaller cities.

Co-living model code available

Cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act have until Dec. 31, 2025, to update local codes to allow for co-living on any lot located within an urban growth area that allows at least six multifamily residential units, as described in RCW 36.70A.535 [ [link removed] ].

Commerce has a sample co-living user guide and model ordinance [ [link removed] ] available for jurisdictions to reference as they implement the new requirements. While the model code was developed for a specific region and contains recommendations beyond those required by state law, it addresses many common questions jurisdictions may consider when developing code.

Find the model code and other co-living guidance on Commerce’s Planning for Middle Housing webpage [ [link removed] ].

 

Separate sale of ADUs: Resource for homeowners

State law allows for accessory dwelling units, such as tiny homes, to be owned independently of a principal unit. Commerce has a new fact sheet [ [link removed] ] intended to help homeowners understand benefits and considerations for separate sale of an ADU, including options for establishing independent ownership. Local planners may wish to share this resource with community members as needed.

Report on impact fee deferrals by Sept. 30

Commerce is required to collect data on impact fee deferrals for single-family detached and attached home construction. We are asking all jurisdictions that collect impact fees to complete this brief survey [ [link removed] ] to report on activity in the previous year.

Please complete the survey by Sept. 30. If you have any questions, contact Katherine Mitchell at [email protected].

*From our partners*

WGS shares bird’s-eye view of Dry Falls

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The Washington Geological Survey released a new bird’s-eye view map of Dry Falls, Wash. This rendering incorporates lidar data and aerial photographs to create a semi-realistic depiction of an iconic landscape. Digital and printed copies are available. Read more about in WGS latest blog [ [link removed] ].



*Upcoming events*

APA Annual Conference

Registration is open for the Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association’s annual conference Oct. 8-10 in Tacoma. The theme of the 2025 APA WA Conference is "Bold Visions & Smart Solutions for an Ever-Changing Future*. *"

Prices increase after Sept. 15. Registration is available online now [ [link removed] ].

Commerce senior planners will participate in sessions on Transit Oriented Development, a review of the latest housing requirements, integrating clean energy technologies locally and more. We hope to see you there!

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 through advanced-level presentations on timely and relevant planning subjects.

*Peninsula Planners Forum*

The next Peninsula Planners’ Forum is an *in-person event* scheduled for Friday, Aug. 22*. * We expect the forum to be eligible for 2.0 CM. Please use the link below to register for the event. Copies of the presentations will be available online after the forum.

*Date:* Friday, Aug. 22

*Time:* 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (including site visit)

*Location: *Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe Long House, 31932 Little Boston Road NE, Kingston, WA 98362

*Register:  *Summer Peninsula Forum Registration [ [link removed] ]

*Take the 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.

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. Please consider joining us for an upcoming workshop to learn more about planning in Washington state.

*Tips and Takeaways from the 2024 Periodic Update*

Join Commerce’s Growth Management Services (GMS) unit, the City of Mukilteo and Snohomish County for this special workshop to share lessons learned during the 2024 periodic update.

*When: *10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 28

*Where:* Register online via Zoom [ [link removed] ]

This workshop will include:


* Two GMS regional planner presentations recapping the 2024 submittal and review process, frequently asked questions and common errors
* Submittal feedback and advice from the GMS Housing Team
* Tips and takeaways from two 2024 jurisdictions: City of Mukilteo and Snohomish County
* Discussion and Q&A

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 next month with the following opportunities online:


* 1-3:30 p.m. Sept. 10 [ [link removed] ]
* 6-8:30 p.m. Nov. 13 [ [link removed] ]
* 1-3:30 p.m. Dec. 10 [ [link removed] ]

*These in-person courses are coming up in October:*

Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council


* 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 7 
* Wenatchee Convention Center, Wenatchee
* Register for the in-person course [ [link removed] ]

American Planning Association – Washington Chapter: Annual Conference


* 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Hotel Murano [ [link removed] ] in Tacoma





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