Comprehensive Plan and Development Code Dockets
2026-2027 Official Dockets
On May 5, 2026, the Board of County Commissioners adopted a two-year work plan for updating the county's long-range growth policies and land use rules: the 2026-2027 Official Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Development Code Dockets.
Background
Every two years, the Board of County Commissioners sets CPED’s work plan for development code updates and comprehensive plan amendments through the state’s required GMA “docketing” process. The Comprehensive Plan Docket includes proposed changes to zoning and long-range policy direction. The Development Code Docket focuses on changes to how land can be used and what permits are required.
Timeline to Date:
- January 7, 2026: Planning Commission work session | Meeting Materials
- March 4, 2026: Board of County Commissioners work session | Meeting Materials
- April 22, 2026: Board of County Commissioners work session | Meeting Materials
- May 5, 2026: Board of County Commissioners final adoption of dockets
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Work Plan Projects
| Project Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Thurston 2045 - Joint Plans | County-Initiated Project |
| Capital Improvement Program | County-Initiated Project |
| Nisqually Watershed Plan | County-Initiated Project |
| Climate Program, Policies, and Code Updates | County-Initiated Project |
| Grand Mound 193rd Ave. Land Use Amendment and Rezone | Applicant-Initiated Project |
| Project Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Critical Areas Ordinance Update (TCC Title 24) | County-Initiated Project |
| North Cities' UGA Joint Code Updates | County-Initiated Project |
| Shoreline Master Program Final Action | County-Initiated Project |
| Thurston County Rural Zoning Code Update (TCC Title 20) | County-Initiated Project |
| Thurston County Rural Subdivision Code Update (TCC Title 18) | County-Initiated Project |
| Transfer of Development Rights & Purchase of Development Rights Program | County-Initiated Project |
| Permit Review Process Annual Code Update (includes appeals) | County-Initiated Project |
| New Uses and Related Standards Annual Update | County-Initiated Project |
| Code Clarifications and Corrections Annual Update | County-Initiated Project |
| Code Enforcement Update (TCC Title 26) | County-Initiated Project |
How to apply for a Comprehensive Plan or Development Code amendment.
The County is not accepting applications for docket proposals at this time. For questions, please email Ana Rodriguez, Senior Planner at ana.rodriguez@co.thurston.wa.us.
Anyone can request a change to the Comprehensive Plan using the Comprehensive Plan Amendment Process.
The general steps must be completed in this order:
- Discuss your proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment with Community Development staff before filling out any applications. Start by emailing ana.rodriguez@co.thurston.wa.us.
- After your conversation, complete the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Amendment & Rezone application at the bottom of the permit forms page. If the proposal includes an amendment to an urban growth area, also complete the Urban Growth Area Supplemental Checklist.
- Pay the associated land use fee. (See Land Use Fee Schedule on Permit Fees page. New fees go into effect January 1, 2026. Applications submitted as part of the 2026-2027 docket cycle are subject to the 2025 fees.)
- Staff review the complete submittals and compile them in a list of proposed amendments for the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) to consider.
- The BoCC reviews the list of proposed amendments and holds a 20-day written public comment period. The BoCC evaluates the public comments and staff analyses and determines which proposals from the list to add to the Official Docket of Comprehensive Plan Amendments. This is the the docketing process.
- Proposals on the Official Docket are reviewed and evaluated by the Planning Commission, and a recommendation is made to the BoCC. If a proposal includes an amendment to an urban growth area, the Urban Growth Management Subcommittee also reviews and provides a recommendation to the BoCC.
- Following the Planning Commission review, the BoCC evaluates the recommendation(s) and holds a public hearing. The BoCC then votes whether or not to adopt proposed amendments. If adopted, the amendments are then included in the next Comprehensive Plan.
Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted September 15, 2025 until November 14, 2025 at 3:30 P.M.
Related Content
Anyone can request a change to Thurston County Code using the Development Code Amendment Process. A Development Code amendment updates Thurston County Code Titles 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24. Requests to other titles, like public safety or emergency management, are not considered during this process.
The general steps must be completed in this order:
- Complete the Development Code Amendment application at the bottom of the permit forms page.
- Pay the associated land use fee. (See Land Use Fee Schedule on Permit Fees page. New fees go into effect January 1, 2026. Applications submitted as part of the 2026-2027 docket cycle are subject to the 2025 fees.)
- Staff review the complete submittals and compile them in a list of proposed amendments for the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) to consider.
- The BoCC reviews the list of proposed amendments and holds a 20-day written public comment period. The BoCC evaluates the public comments and staff analyses and determines which proposals from the list to add to the Official Docket of Development Code Amendments. This is the the docketing process.
- Proposals on the Official Docket are reviewed and evaluated by the Planning Commission, and a recommendation is made to the BoCC.
- Following the Planning Commission review, the BoCC evaluates the recommendation(s) and holds a public hearing. The BoCC then votes whether to adopt proposed amendments. If adopted, the amendments are incorporated into Thurston County Code.
Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted September 15, 2025 until November 14, 2025 at 3:30 P.M.