ADU guidance news
 The Washington State Department of Commerce is seeking your input on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU).
New amendments to RCW 36.70A.070 require local governments, in their housing element updates, to consider the role of ADUs in meeting housing needs. Many bills about ADUs have also been presented in the last few years. As a result, Commerce set aside funding to update our ADU guidance which was first developed in 1994, and is still referenced in statute (RCW 43.63A.215).
The guidance update will include:
- Recommendations for cities which may include considerations related to parking, size and design, and use as short term rentals, affordability incentives or other tools to encourage the development and affordability of ADUs.
- A recommended approach for counties that may include considerations in rural and resource lands, design, use for family, farm help, and short term rentals, and suggestions in Limited Areas of More Intense Rural Development (LAMIRDS) and unincorporated urban growth areas.
- A sample presentation and editable handouts for local government staff to use as they work on local ADU ordinances.
- Two recorded webinars to train local government staff planners on the ADU recommended policies: one for cities and one for counties.
Draft guidance is expected in late 2022. If you have specific recent experience in developing ADU regulations and would like to get involved to share your knowledge, please contact Anne Fritzel at [email protected] or Catherine McCoy at [email protected].
More information will be added to the Growth Management Planning for Housing webpage and the Housing EZView website as it becomes available.
 New tool for Multifamily Property Tax Exemption published
In the following weeks, Commerce expects to publish a new resource for communities looking to establish or update their Multifamily Property Tax Exemption (MFTE) program. The MFTE Workbook provides the information needed to understand the program, communicate with stakeholders, adopt and maintain an effective program that reflects local housing needs. The workbook will be available on Commerce?s MFTE webpage by the end July.
Commerce, working with BERK Consulting, Inc., engaged a wide range of stakeholders including: housing developers, city staff, county assessors and the Washington Department of Revenue. We would like to thank the members of the MFTE Advisory Committee who spent hours reviewing, researching and commenting on the materials in the workbook. Their help was invaluable in creating a meaningful and easy way to understand resource that reflects current best practices.
For more information on the workbook and our ongoing efforts to support MFTE throughout Washington, contact senior planner Mary M. Reinbold at [email protected].
WAC update public hearing notice
Growth Management Act WAC update
Join public hearings on proposed WAC amendments: July 26 and 27
Growth Management Services is accepting comments on proposed changes to Chapters 365-190, 365-195, and 365-196. We will host virtual public hearings on July 26 at 5 p.m. and 11 a.m., July 27.
Submit written comments by noon on July 27 to [email protected].
You can find copies of the most recent drafts and the CR-102 on the project website: Growth Management Act WAC Update. The hearing will provide an opportunity for public testimony, but we encourage written comments prior to the hearings as well.
Contact William Simpson at [email protected] for more information about this project.
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Public hearings
The project website has links to the hearings and additional information for joining by telephone.
Videos on last year?s smart communities award winners
 The 2022 Governor?s Smart Communities Award applications have been submitted. Stay tuned for an award announcement later this summer. While Commerce reviews these amazing community projects, we wanted to share the link to videos of our 2021 award winners as a primer for the next round of award announcements.
Stay tuned on our Smart Community Awards webpage for more information. 2022 award winners will be notified directly prior to a public announcement.
Update on VMT
In June, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) published the second in a series of reports on vehicle miles of travel (VMT) reduction.
This interim report highlights strategies that have been successful in Washington state for reducing VMT and includes case studies from local communities. The report also provides descriptions of resources where tools to reduce VMT may be found, including the Transportation Efficient Communities webpage.
Potential options for local target setting that will be considered when the next phase of work is introduced. WSDOT is responding to direction from the Legislature to develop a process for local VMT reduction targets. The final report will be published in June 2023.
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Ecology needs a Climate Resilience Planner
The?Shorelands and Environmental Assistance?(SEA) program within?the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a?Climate Resilience Planner?(Environmental Planner 3) position. This position is located?in Ecology?s headquarters office?in?Lacey.?Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
This is an exciting opportunity to work with their team of scientists, resource managers, planners and policy leaders in helping shape Washington?s planning framework for addressing climate impacts. The Washington State Legislature has tasked Ecology with coordinating with the Department of Commerce, other state agencies and Tribal governments to develop a model framework for developing and implementing climate change resiliency and adaptation into local Comprehensive Plans and Shoreline Master Programs and policies. Ecology has a lead role on sea level rise, flooding and erosion.
This role will help Ecology accomplish this work and will play a primary role in supporting the agency?s climate change resilience efforts.
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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). It also includes 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.
| Month |
Date |
? ?Time |
Registration |
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September
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Thursday, 9/29 |
? ? 6 - 9 p.m. |
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| October |
Tuesday, 10/25 |
? ? 6 - 9 p.m. |
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| November |
Wednesday, 11/16 |
? ? 1 - 4 p.m. |
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| December |
Thursday, 12/8 |
? ? 1 - 4 p.m. |
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Ask about local presentations
Commerce also offers e-visits to local planning commissions or other meetings. Contact your regional planner to request a presentation. Topics include, but are not limited to, comprehensive plan basics and roles in the planning process.
Upcoming Planners? Forums dates
The Planners? Forums are quarterly events held regionally across Washington state in partnership with both the Washington APA and the Planners Association of Washington. Each event features guest speakers discussing planning related topics in association with the guidelines set down by the American Planning Association. The forums are on Zoom.\
Eastern Planners? Forum:?
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9-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 27,?Register
Remember, folks needing American Planning Association (AICP) credits will receive credits for attending based on topics covered. Learn more about Commerce?s regional forums at the Growth Management Planners' Forum webpage.
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