Title 36, COUNTIES

During the formulation of the comprehensive plan, and especially in developing a specialized element of such comprehensive plan, the planning agency may cooperate to the extent it deems necessary with such authorities, departments or agencies as may have jurisdiction over the ter…

Whenever a planning agency has developed a comprehensive plan, or any addition or amendment thereto, covering any land outside of the boundaries of the county as provided in RCW 36.70.320, copies of any features of the comprehensive plan extending into an adjoining jurisdiction s…

Before approving all or any part of the comprehensive plan or any amendment, extension or addition thereto, the commission shall hold at least one public hearing and may hold additional hearings at the discretion of the commission. [ 1963 c 4 s 36.70.380. Prior: 1959 c 201 s 38.]…

Notice of the time, place and purpose of any public hearing shall be given by one publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county and in the official gazette, if any, of the county, at least ten days before the hearing. [ 1963 c 4 s 36.70.390. Prior: 1959 c 201 s …

The approval of the comprehensive plan, or of any amendment, extension or addition thereto, shall be by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the total members of the commission. Such approval shall be by a recorded motion which shall incorporate the findings of fac…

When changed conditions or further studies by the planning agency indicate a need, the commission may amend, extend or add to all or part of the comprehensive plan in the manner provided herein for approval in the first instance. [ 1963 c 4 s 36.70.410. Prior: 1959 c 201 s 41.]

A copy of a comprehensive plan or any part, amendment, extension of or addition thereto, together with the motion of the planning agency approving the same, shall be transmitted to the board for the purpose of being approved by motion and certified as provided in this chapter. [ …

When it deems it to be for the public interest, or when it considers a change in the recommendations of the planning agency to be necessary, the board may initiate consideration of a comprehensive plan, or any element or part thereof, or any change in or addition to such plan or …

After the receipt of the report and recommendations of the planning agency on the matters referred to in RCW 36.70.430, or after the lapse of the prescribed time for the rendering of such report and recommendation by the commission, the board may approve by motion and certify suc…

After a board has approved by motion and certified all or parts of a comprehensive plan for a county or for any part of a county, the planning agency shall use such plan as the basic source of reference and as a guide in reporting upon or recommending any proposed project, public…

After all or part of the comprehensive plan of a county has been approved by motion and certified, the planning agency shall render an annual report to the board on the status of the plan and accomplishments thereunder. [ 1963 c 4 s 36.70.460. Prior: 1959 c 201 s 46.]

Each planning agency shall endeavor to promote public interest in, and understanding of, the comprehensive plan and its purpose, and of the official controls related to it. [ 1963 c 4 s 36.70.470. Prior: 1959 c 201 s 47.]

Each planning agency shall, to the extent it deems necessary, cooperate with officials and agencies, public utility companies, civic, educational, professional and other organizations and citizens generally with relation to carrying out the purpose of the comprehensive plan. [ 19…

Upon request, all public officials or agencies shall furnish to the planning agency within a reasonable time such available information as is required for the work of the planning agency. [ 1963 c 4 s 36.70.490. Prior: 1959 c 201 s 49.]

(1) After June 10, 2004, a county may designate a manufactured housing community as a nonconforming use, but may not order the removal or phased elimination of an existing manufactured housing community because of its status as a nonconforming use. (2) A county may not prohibit t…

By July 31, 1997, a county planning under RCW 36.70A.040 shall provide to the county assessor a copy of the county's comprehensive plan and development regulations in effect on July 1st of that year and shall thereafter provide any amendments to the plan and regulations that were…

In the performance of their functions and duties, duly authorized members of a commission or planning staff may enter upon any land and make examinations and surveys: PROVIDED, That such entries, examinations and surveys do not damage or interfere with the use of the land by thos…

By general or special rule the board creating a planning agency may provide that other matters shall be referred to the planning agency before final action is taken thereupon by the board or officer having final authority on the matter, and final action thereon shall not be taken…

At least five months before the end of each fiscal year each county officer, department, board or commission and each governmental body whose jurisdiction lies entirely within the county, except incorporated cities and towns, whose functions include preparing and recommending pla…

The planning agency shall list all such matters referred to in RCW 36.70.520 and shall prepare for and submit a report to the board which report shall set forth how each proposed project relates to all other proposed projects on the list and to all features in the comprehensive p…

Whenever a county legislative authority has approved by motion and certified all or part of a comprehensive plan, no road, square, park or other public ground or open space shall be acquired by dedication or otherwise and no public building or structure shall be constructed or au…

Beginning July 1, 1992, the development regulations of each county that does not plan under RCW 36.70A.040 shall not be inconsistent with the county's comprehensive plan. For the purposes of this section, "development regulations" has the same meaning as set forth in RCW 36.70A.0…

Every county, city, and town in which there is located a general aviation airport that is operated for the benefit of the general public, whether publicly owned or privately owned public use, shall, through its comprehensive plan and development regulations, discourage the siting…

From time to time, the planning agency may, or if so requested by the board shall, cause to be prepared official controls which, when adopted by ordinance by the board, will further the objectives and goals of the comprehensive plan. The planning agency may also draft such regula…

Official controls may include: (1) Maps showing the exact boundaries of zones within each of which separate controls over the type and degree of permissible land uses are defined; (2) Maps for streets showing the exact alignment, gradients, dimensions and other pertinent features…

Official controls shall be adopted by ordinance and shall further the purpose and objectives of a comprehensive plan and parts thereof. [ 1963 c 4 s 36.70.570. Prior: 1959 c 201 s 57.]

Before recommending an official control or amendment to the board for adoption, the commission shall hold at least one public hearing. [ 1963 c 4 s 36.70.580. Prior: 1959 c 201 s 58.]

Notice of the time, place and purpose of the hearing shall be given by one publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county and in the official gazette, if any, of the county at least ten days before the hearing. The board may prescribe additional methods for provi…

The recommendation to the board of any official control or amendments thereto by the planning agency shall be by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the total members of the commission. Such approval shall be by a recorded motion which shall incorporate the findin…

A copy of any official control or amendment recommended pursuant to RCW 36.70.550, 36.70.560, 36.70.570 and 36.70.580 shall be submitted to the board not later than fourteen days following the action by the commission and shall be accompanied by the motion of the planning agency …

Upon receipt of any recommended official control or amendment thereto, the board shall at its next regular public meeting set the date for a public meeting where it may, by ordinance, adopt or reject the official control or amendment. [ 1963 c 4 s 36.70.620. Prior: 1959 c 201 s 6…

If after considering the matter at a public meeting as provided in RCW 36.70.620 the board deems a change in the recommendations of the planning agency to be necessary, the change shall not be incorporated in the recommended control until the board shall conduct its own public he…

When it deems it to be for the public interest, the board may initiate consideration of an ordinance establishing an official control, or amendments to an existing official control, including those specified in RCW 36.70.560. The board shall first refer the proposed official cont…

The report and recommendation by the planning agency, whether on a proposed control initiated by it, whether on a matter referred back to it by the board for further report, or whether on a matter initiated by the board, shall be advisory only and the final determination shall re…

The provisions of this chapter with references to the procedures to be followed in the adoption of official controls shall apply only to establishing official controls pertaining to subjects set forth in RCW 36.70.560. [ 1963 c 4 s 36.70.660. Prior: 1959 c 201 s 66.]

The board may determine and establish administrative rules and procedures for the application and enforcement of official controls, and may assign or delegate such administrative functions, powers and duties to such department or official as may be appropriate. [ 1963 c 4 s 36.70…

Each county that does not provide for the siting of family day care homes in zones that are designated for single-family or other residential uses, and for the siting of mini-day care centers and day care centers in zones that are designated for any residential or commercial uses…

A final decision by a hearing examiner involving a conditional or special use permit application under this chapter that is requested by a party that is licensed or certified by the department of social and health services or the department of corrections is subject to mediation …

The planning agency shall review all proposed land plats and subdivisions and make recommendations to the board thereon with reference to approving, or recommending any modifications necessary to assure conformance to the general purposes of the comprehensive plan and to standard…

No county shall improve any street or lay or authorize the laying of sewers or connections or other improvements to be laid in any street within any territory for which the board has adopted an official control in the form of precise street map or maps, until the matter has been …

For the purposes of complying with the requirements of this chapter, county development regulations must ensure that proposed water uses are consistent with RCW 90.44.050 and with applicable rules adopted pursuant to chapters 90.22 and 90.54 RCW when making decisions under RCW 19…

(1) By July 1, 2010, the development regulations of any jurisdiction with a population over six hundred thousand or with a state capitol within its borders planning under this chapter must allow electric vehicle infrastructure as a use in all areas within one mile of Interstate 5…

Failure of the planning agency to report on the matters referred to in RCW 36.70.690 within forty days after the reference, or such longer period as may be designated by the board, department or official making the reference, shall be deemed to be approval of such matter. [ 1963 …

Reports and recommendations by the planning agency on all matters shall be advisory only, and final determination shall rest with the administrative body, official, or the board whichever has authority to decide under applicable law. [ 1963 c 4 s 36.70.710. Prior: 1959 c 201 s 71…

Zoning maps as an official control may be adopted only for areas covered by a comprehensive plan containing not less than a land use element and a circulation element. Zoning ordinances and maps adopted prior to June 10, 1959, are hereby validated, provided only that at the time …

The text of a zoning ordinance may be prepared and adopted in the absence of a comprehensive plan providing no zoning map or portion of a zoning map may be adopted thereunder until there has been compliance with the provisions of RCW 36.70.720. [ 1963 c 4 s 36.70.730. Prior: 1959…