Comprehensive Plan and Development Code Dockets
April 16, 2026 - The Board of County Commissioners will hold a second work session on the 2026-2027 Comprehensive Plan and Development Code Dockets on April 22, 2026 at 9:00 AM. Find meeting details and Zoom links on the Board's webpage.
2026-2027 Docket Proposals
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.
For the 2026–2027 docketing cycle, there are:
- Seven proposals for comprehensive plan amendments
- Eleven proposals for development code updates
- Four projects carried over on the preliminary docket from the 2024–2025 cycle
Timeline to Date:
- January 7, 2026: Planning Commission work session
- March 4, 2026: Board of County Commissioners work session
Public Comment Opportunity:
If you would like to participate in the public process and provide comment, please visit the link below.
2026-2027 Comprehensive Plan & Development Code Dockets Public Comment Form
Projects under Consideration
2026-2027 Proposals for Comprehensive Plan Amendments
| Proposals under Consideration | 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 |
| Bar Holdings UGA Swap, Land Use Amendment, and Rezone | Applicant-Initiated Project |
| Martin Way Corridor Zoning Study | Board-Initiated Project |
| Grand Mound 193rd Ave. Land Use Amendment and Rezone | Applicant-Initiated Project |
2026-2027 Proposals for Development Code Amendments
| Proposals under Consideration | 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) - Added after 3/4/26 BoCC work session | County-Initiated Project |
| Cannabis-Related Code Amendments | Applicant-Initiated Project |
| Projects | Docket | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Land Use Amendment & Rezone | Comp Plan | Applicant-Initiated Project |
| Fireworks Provisions (Non-GMA Project) | Dev Code | Applicant-Initiated Project |
| Natural Landmark Program | Dev Code | Applicant-Initiated Project |
| No Shooting Zones (Non-GMA Project) | Dev Code | Applicant-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, Associate 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.