Thurston County government updates its codes, development regulations, and related plans as the community grows, and as state and federal laws change. Some updates, called periodic updates, are mandated by the state legislature's Growth Management Act (
RCW 36.70A.020). Other updates may be Board-initiated or citizen-initiated. The update process includes input from citizens, analysis by a citizen advisory group called
the Planning Commission, and review and approval by
Thurston County's elected officials, the Board of County Commissioners.
Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket Items
Development Code Docket -
on-going, year-round
process
A list of proposed changes to the building regulations for unincorporated Thurston County. Requests are accepted year-round.
Other Special Projects
Habitat Conservation Plan -
first-time plan; being developed now
The County is applying for a federal permit to cover its building permit applicants in response to the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing of a gopher and three other animals in the County. The federal permit process requires the County to develop a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Until the HCP is complete & approved, the County operates a gopher review process.