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Thurston County, Washington

Community Planning and Economic Development

Subject  Status Description
Agriculture Updating    A review of land use policies, incentive programs, and permitting processes related to agriculture.
Bar Holdings Site-Specific Land Use Plan and Rezoning Updating      
Beaver Creek Land Use & Rezone Amendment                                                                                        Updating A citizen initiated Comprehensive Plan Amendment that would change the land use plan and change the land use designation from Rural Residential/Resource—One Dwelling Unit Per Five Acres (RRR 1/5) to Rural Resource Industrial (RRI) 
Capital Improvements Updating      A six-year plan of community investment projects for unincorporated areas of Thurston County.
Capital Improvement Plan Adopted A six-year plan of community investment projects for unincorporated areas of Thurston County.
Code Clarifications & Corrections Updating Updates miscellaneous clerical errors, clarification on expansion of non-nonforming non-residential uses and structures, and updates sign board posting procedures.
Comprehensive Plan Updating Thurston County government's 20-year plan to accommodate growth in unincorporated Thurston County. 
Conservation Incentives Adopted Thurston County government operates programs to reduce urban sprawl, minimize development, maintain open spaces, and protect natural resources. 
Critical Areas Ordinance Adopted The County limits development in areas prone to natural hazards, those which drain to drinking water aquifers, and wildlife habitat.
Emergency Housing Adopted Permanent regulations for permitting homeless encampments.
Flood Programs-Planning Adopted Many County departments work on flood-related planning and programs. Find details on the Flood Programs webpage.
Habitat Conservation Plan Adopted  
Grand Mound Subarea Plan Updating Guides growth and development for the Grand Mound Urban Growth Area over the next twenty years.
Industrial Lands Updating A study to determine whether an adequate supply of industrial lands exists to accommodate demand.
Lacey Joint Plan Updating Guides growth and development for the Lacey Urban Growth Area over the next twenty years.
Low Impact Development Adopted Amend development regulations related to land use and stormwater strategies.
Natural Landmark Program Updating Change code so property owners can voluntarily enroll their small property into a county database to conserve the natural environment. 
Nisqually Subarea Plan Updating Guides growth and development for the Nisqually area over the next twenty years.
Non-Conforming Code Adopted Streamlines permit review process for some small-scale projects.
Olympia Joint Plan Updating Guides growth and development for the Olympia Urban Growth Area over the next twenty years.
Places of Worship Adopted Revise code language so that dwelling units be reviewed as an associated use.
Plat Extensions Adopted Change the method and duration of extensions for the final approval of preliminary plats (subdivisions).
Pogue Site-Specific Land Use Plan and Rezoning Updating  
Resorts Adopted Establish standards that will enable such facilities to offer the full range of standard services.
Rural Water Availability - All Codes (A-23) Updating  
Shoreline Master Program Updating Building, zoning and land-use regulations for fresh and salt-water shorelines in unincorporated Thurston County. 
Smokehouse Adopted Add commercial smokehouses as a special use in rural zoning districts.
Transfer or Purchase of Development Rights Updating Owners of certain types of working agriculture lands can sell their development rights through two Thurston County programs.
Tree Ordinance Updating Countywide canopy assessment and focus on a review of rural tree protection standards.
Tumwater Joint Plan Adopted Guides growth and development for the Tumwater Urban Growth Area over the next twenty years.
Wireless Updating Update wireless communication facility codes to be in compliance with federal regulations.
Yelm Joint Plan Updating
Guides growth and development for the Yelm Urban Growth Area over the next twenty.  years.