Board of County Commissioners Adopt Community Planning and Economic Development Work Plan for 2026-2027
CONTACT: Miriam Villacian, Senior Planner, Community Planning & Economic Development Department, or e-mail Miriam.Villacian@co.thurston.wa.us
Board of County Commissioners Adopt Community Planning and Economic Development Work Plan for 2026-2027
Board adopted final Comprehensive Plan and Development Code work plans on May 5, 2026.
OLYMPIA – The Thurston County 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 on May 5, 2026. This sets the stage for community input on issues ranging from housing and climate resilience to rural zoning and environmental protections.
The Comprehensive Plan is Thurston County's 20-year roadmap for growth -it shapes where homes, jobs, parks, and roads go, and how we protect natural areas. The Comprehensive Plan Docket is a list of changes to that big-picture vision.
The Development Code Docket helps puts the Comprehensive Plan into action by spelling out the rules for how and where things get built – it includes zoning districts, building requirements, and land use standards. A Development Code amendment keeps those rules aligned with the Comprehensive Plan, state and federal requirements, and other on-the-ground realities.
"These dockets are to-do lists to address changes in state and federal rules as well as addressing community concerns; affordable housing, clean water, easier permit processes and protecting the place we call home,” said Vice Chair of the Board of County Commissioners Wayne Fournier. "The process is a community-first approach to planning. We need community input on all docket items to ensure the rules and continued vision reflects our community’s priorities."
The official work plan includes five Comprehensive Plan amendments and ten Development Code amendments.
What’s on the Work Plan?
- Nisqually Watershed Plan: A regional effort to protect water quality, flood resilience, and salmon habitat in the Nisqually River area.
- Climate Program and Code Updates: Policies aimed at reducing emissions and helping communities prepare for extreme heat, smoke, and flooding.
- Grand Mound 193rd Ave: A proposal to evaluate growth options along a key rural street, balancing new jobs and services with neighborhood character.
- Joint Codes and Plans: Aligning our urban area development regulations with our partners in Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater to focus growth in the areas right outside city limits.
- Capital Improvement Program: Aligning County work on roads, parks, and facilities with community priorities.
- Critical Areas Ordinance: Updating rules for wetlands, steep slopes prone to landslides, and wildlife habitat to strengthen protections and simplify the permitting process.
- Rural Zoning and Subdivision Updates: Clarifying what’s allowed on rural lands to support farming and rural lifestyles.
- Shoreline Master Program: Finalizing regulations for lakes, rivers, and Puget Sound shorelines to balance recreation, responsible development, and shoreline protection.
- Transfer of Development Rights: Updating this voluntary program which is used to help preserve farmland and open space by letting landowners sell development potential to other areas.
- Permit Process Improvements: Streamlining reviews and appeals to reduce delays for homeowners, builders, and small businesses.
“Our staff does a great job aligning County codes to meet state and federal requirements, and the community’s input is vital to helping us shape those rules to be more practical and effective for our local community,” said Thurston County Manager Leonard Hernandez. “While the County doesn’t manage everything -like public schools or state highways - knowing your priorities helps us better manage projects and advocate for you when working with state and federal partners. Your voice is our guide.”
Each project will follow its own timeline for analysis, community input and public hearings, and Board of County Commissioners decisions. Some items may be completed within the 2026-27 cycle and others could take longer.
For the full list of projects visit the County’s website at