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File ID: AB2025-637
File Created: 09/03/2025
Department: Planning and
Development Services
Department
Assigned to: Council
Agenda Date: 10/21/2025
Related Files:
Whatcom County
Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2025-637
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Version: 1 Status: Adopted
Entered by: Matt Aamot
File Type: Ordinance Requiring a Public Hearing
Primary Contact Email: maamotgco.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Final Action: 10/21/2025
Enactment #: ORD 2025-049
Ordinance amending the Countywide Planning Policies, which reside in Whatcom County
Comprehensive Plan Appendix C
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
Ordinance amending the Countywide Planning Policies, which are used for establishing a countywide
framework from which County and city comprehensive plans are developed and adopted. The
Countywide Planning Policy amendments relate to a number of topics including public involvement,
urban growth areas, rural areas, housing, open space and greenbelt corridors, economic development
and employment, transportation, public facilities, impact fees, intergovernmental cooperation, water
quality and quantity, buildable lands, Tribal cultural resources, and climate change and community
resilience.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
10/07/2025 Council INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC Council
HEARING
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 1012212025
Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2025-637)
10/21/2025 Council ADOPTED
Aye: 4 Buchanan, Donovan, Galloway, and Scanlon
Nay: 3 Byrd, Elenbaas, and Stremler
Attachments: Staff Memo, Proposed Ordinance, Notice of Hearing after 10.7.2025
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 1012212025
Docusign Envelope ID: 3AEE049D-8750-437E-A73E-B61187189C15
PROPOSED BY: PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
INTRODUCTION DATE: OCTOBER 7, 2025
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-049
ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO
THE COUNTYWIDE PLANNING POLICIES
WHEREAS, The Whatcom County Planning Commission held a public hearing
and issued recommendations on the proposed amendments; and
WHEREAS, The County Council considered Planning Commission
recommendations; and
WHEREAS, The County Council approved final draft Countywide Planning
Policy amendments on May 27, 2025; and
WHEREAS, The County Council's final draft Countywide Planning Policy
amendments were transmitted, via email, to the seven cities in Whatcom County on
June 3, 2025; and
WHEREAS, All seven city councils have reviewed and approved the
Countywide Planning Policy amendments;
WHEREAS, The County Council held a public hearing; and
WHEREAS, The County Council hereby adopts the following findings of fact:
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. The Growth Management Act (GMA) was originally adopted by the State
Legislature in 1990. The Legislature amended the GMA in 1991 to require
counties to adopt county wide planning policies in cooperation with cities.
2. The GMA states that "... a 'countywide planning policy' is a written policy
statement or statements used solely for establishing a countywide framework
from which county and city comprehensive plans are developed and adopted.
.. " (RCW 36.70A.210).
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3. The Countywide Planning Policies reside in Appendix C of the Whatcom
County Comprehensive Plan.
4. Whatcom County's Countywide Planning Policies were originally adopted by
the County Council in 1993 and last amended in 2021.
5. The County Council adopted the original Countywide Planning Policies in April
1993 (Resolution 93-024).
6. The County Council amended the Countywide Planning Policies in March 1997
(Resolution 97-011).
7. The County Council amended the Countywide Planning Policies in January
2005 (Ordinance 2005-022).
8. The County Council amended the Countywide Planning Policies in February
2021 by adding provisions relating to the Review and Evaluation Program
(Buildable Lands) and Dispute Resolution Procedures (Ordinance 2021-003).
9. The City/County Planner Group formulated the subject Countywide Planning
Policy amendments (with assistance from the consultant, the County's
Climate Action Manager, and agencies on certain topics).
10. The City/County Planner Group formulated Countywide Planning Policy M.1
relating to Intergovernmental Coordination after receiving a request from the
County Executive relating to this topic.
11. The subject amendments would modify the following sections of the
Countywide Planning Policies: Citizen Involvement, Urban Verses Rural
Distinctions, Urban Growth Areas, City Urban Growth Areas, Non -City Urban
Growth Areas, Contiguous Orderly Development and Planning in Urban
Growth Areas, Affordable Housing, Open Space/Greenbelt Corridors,
Economic Development and Employment, Countywide Transportation
Facilities and Strategies, Siting of Public Facilities, Impact Fees,
Intergovernmental Cooperation, Water Quality and Quantity, Fiscal Impact,
Private Property Rights, and the Review and Evaluation Program (Buildable
Lands). The subject amendments would add new sections to the Countywide
Planning Policies relating to: Tribal Cultural Resources and Climate
Change/Community Resilience.
12. Whatcom County and the seven cities entered into an Interlocal Agreement
concerning procedures for amending the Countywide Planning Policies, which
became effective in March 2023 (Whatcom County Contract No. 202301033).
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13. The County Executive initiated the Countywide Planning Policy amendments
for review on October 29, 2024 and December 19, 2024 pursuant to the
Interlocal Agreement.
14. The County sent correspondence to the Lummi Nation, Nooksack Tribe, and
Federal agencies on December 20, 2024 inviting them to participate in and
cooperate with the Countywide Planning Policy adoption process.
15. WAC 197-11-800(19) categorically exempts procedural actions from State
Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review. The SEPA Official determined that
the subject amendments are exempt as a procedural action on December 11,
2025.
16. The subject Countywide Planning Policy amendments were posted on the
County website on December 20, 2025.
17. Notice of the Planning Commission hearing was posted on the County
website on January 7, 2025.
18. Notice of the Planning Commission hearing was published in the Bellingham
Herald on January 8, 2025.
19. Notice of the Planning Commission hearing was sent to citizens, media, cities,
and other groups on the County's e-mail list as of January 10, 2025.
20. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the subject amendments
on January 23, 2025. The Planning Commission held a work session on the
subject amendments on February 27, 2025.
21. The GMA was amended by the State Legislature in 2022 (House Bill 1717) to
require that Countywide Planning Policies must include "Policies that address
the protection of tribal cultural resources in collaboration with federally
recognized Indian tribes that are invited pursuant to subsection (4) of this
section, provided that a tribe, or more than one tribe, chooses to participate
in the process" (RCW 36.70A.210(3)(i)).
22. The Countywide Planning Policies include new Section S "Tribal Cultural
Resources." This Section addresses identification and protection of cultural
resources in accordance with the GMA.
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23. The GMA was amended by the State Legislature in 2023 (House Bill 1181) to
adopt a new GMA Planning Goal relating to climate change and resiliency.
This goal is to:
Ensure that comprehensive plans, development regulations, and
regional policies, plans, and strategies under RCW 36.70A.210 and
chapter 47.80 RCW adapt to and mitigate the effects of a changing
climate; support reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and per
capita vehicle miles traveled; prepare for climate impact scenarios;
foster resiliency to climate impacts and natural hazards; protect and
enhance environmental, economic, and human health and safety; and
advance environmental justice (RCW 36.70A.020(14)).
24. The Countywide Planning Policies include new Section T "Climate
Change/Community Resilience." This Section addresses changing climate in
accordance with the GMA.
CONCLUSION
The subject Countywide Planning Policy amendments are consistent with applicable
provisions of GMA.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that:
Section 1. The Countywide Planning Policies are hereby adopted as shown on
Exhibit A.
Section 2. Adjudication of invalidity of any of the sections, clauses, or
provisions of this ordinance shall not affect or impair the validity of the
ordinance as a whole or any part thereof other than the part so declared to be
invalid.
ADOPTED this 21st day of October , 2025.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM®C,C)(jNT`;`iWASHINGTON
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Cathy Hilkiy C),lle�jk7 o�ith,e Council
APPROVEDas to form
Greg Greenan, per 9/22/25 email
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
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(Y) Approved ( ) Denied
EDocuSigned by:
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Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
Date: 10/22/2025
Page 5 of 5
EXHIBIT A - Whatcom County Council Approved Version
October 21, 2025 Appendix C - Countywide Planning Policies
Appendix C
Countywide Planning Policies
Whatcom County
Countywide Planning Policies
Adopted April 1993
(Revised March 11, 1997, January 25, 2005,
February 9, 2021, and October 21, 2025)
A. Public Involvement
1. The County and the cities shall cooperate to provide public education on the
requirements of the Growth Management Act.
2. The County and the cities shall provide opportunities for the public to become
involved in the growth management planning process through various
mechanisms, such as surveys, public workshops, meetings, hearings, and
advisory committees. The method of public involvement may vary based on
the needs and constituents in various communities and shall include
representation of both rural and urban interests on those issues that affect
both urban and rural areas.
3. The public shall be notified in a timely manner of opportunities to have input
and key decision points in the planning process. This should include actions
such as use of on-line resources, notification lists, timely consideration of
public comments, broad notification of property owners and residents during a
planning process, and notification to community and neighborhood groups. The
cities shall also develop a public participation process to solicit and consider
comments from residents outside city limits but within existing and proposed
Urban Growth Areas.
4. Public comments and viewpoints shall be considered in the decision -making
process in development of draft plans and regulations. Consideration of public
comments shall be evident in the decision -making process.
5. The County and the cities shall establish a system for community and
neighborhood liaison to foster communication between the respective
government and its neighborhoods. This system would also provide a point of
contact for issues that may affect the community or neighborhoods.
6. Various planning techniques, such as overlay maps and Geographic
Information Systems, shall be utilized to allow the public and public officials to
evaluate planning proposals and provide the ability to make accurate
comparison of issues so appropriate trade-offs can be consciously made.
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan C-1
EXHIBIT A - Whatcom County Council Approved Version
October 21, 2025 Appendix C - Countywide Planning Policies
B. Urban Versus Rural Distinctions
1. Whatcom County shall primarily become a government of rural areas in land
use matters directed towards agriculture, forestry and other natural resources
and natural resource based industries. The county may work with the public to
further define or modify types of rural areas based on the characteristics and
needs of different areas. This Section shall not preclude County governance of
large urban industrial areas outside of the city UGA's (see Cherry Point below),
urban growth areas not yet annexed or incorporated, and developed rural
areas where the "urban" designation is inappropriate.
2. The County shall discourage urban level or high intensity development outside
Urban Growth Areas, limited areas of more intensive rural development
(LAMIRDS), and vested plats.
3. Whatcom County shall promote appropriate land uses and allow for infill within
LAMIRDs. These areas have been delineated, and will not be expanded beyond
logical outer boundaries in accordance with RCW 36.70.070(5).
4. In the next 20 years, Whatcom County should discourage "new fully contained
communities" (as defined and authorized by RCW 36.70A.350) outside
designated Urban Growth Areas.
5. Whatcom County may undertake a public process to further define or modify
rural areas and rural growth as distinct from urban growth areas.
C. Urban Growth Areas
1. Urban growth needs shall be met by a combination of in -fill within cities and
by growth within designated city and non -city Urban Growth Areas.
2. The size and location of Urban Growth Areas shall be consistent with the
Growth Management Act, adopted local policies and capital facilities plans.
3a. The County and Cities will work together to develop countywide population and
housing need projections, and associated allocations to Urban Growth Areas,
that are within the range of the Washington State Office of Financial
Management projections. The County and Cities will also work together to
develop countywide employment projections and associated allocations to
Urban Growth Areas. These allocations will be used to determine whether
Urban Growth Areas include sufficient land capacity to permit the urban growth
that is projected to occur in the County for the succeeding twenty-year period.
3b. The County and Cities shall develop a Land Capacity Analysis Methodology,
which is a consistent approach to calculating the land supply needed within an
urban growth area. The Land Capacity Analysis Methodology will consider
limitations imposed by critical area regulations, infrastructure needs, open
space, existing uses, local market factors and the ability of the jurisdiction to
provide services. It is recognized that the above limitations may vary by
jurisdiction, but the method for applying them shall be consistent. Urban
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan C-2
EXHIBIT A - Whatcom County Council Approved Version
October 21, 2025 Appendix C - Countywide Planning Policies
growth areas shall permit a range of densities and uses; however, these uses
and densities may vary among jurisdictions.
4. Urban Growth Areas shall be evaluated in the timeframes set forth in the
Growth Management Act to determine if they contain sufficient land capacity
to accommodate the urban growth that is projected for the succeeding twenty-
year period. The market factor for each Urban Growth Area shall also be
evaluated. The Land Capacity Analysis will be used to determine whether the
land supply is adequate to meet the needs of the community or whether the
land supply is excessive.
5. Urban Growth Areas should be established in a way that preserves agricultural
land, forestry, mineral resources, treaty natural resources (e.g. salmon,
wildlife, traditional foods), tribal cultural resources, water resources, and
critical areas. Urban growth shall maintain proper buffers from natural
resource areas to minimize conflicts with natural resources and industries
based on them. Any proposed UGA expansion in the 100 year floodplain must
comply with RCW 36.70A.110. Any proposed UGA expansion should minimize
risks posed by natural hazards.
D. City Urban Growth Areas
1. The Urban Growth Areas for the small cities shall be of an adequate size to
allow them to become viable economic centers with a balance of jobs and
housing. The small cities shall do appropriate planning to ensure adequate
distribution of land uses and services at a range of urban densities and zoning
classifications.
2. Urban Growth Areas for cities shall include those areas contiguous to cities that
are suitable for urban growth as set forth in the Growth Management Act.
3. Cities shall develop plans to provide urban level water and sewer services
within their Urban Growth Areas. These plans should be developed in
cooperation with existing water and sewer purveyors within each city's Urban
Area, and may be implemented through interlocal agreements.
4. Existing cities should accommodate additional housing at a range of densities
appropriately responsive to the city's community vision before extending city
Urban Growth Areas into areas where growth would adversely impact critical
areas and resource lands. In those small cities entirely or almost entirely
surrounded by flood plains, critical area and resource lands or within Shellfish
Protection Districts, the County and cities shall seek to negotiate a balance
between protection of resources and the allocation of adequate land area to
meet the growth needs of the city.
5. All cities should grow in an efficient manner and, where reasonable, shall
provide for adequate open space between cities.
6. Cities should be encouraged to provide positive incentives for in -fill.
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan C-3
EXHIBIT A - Whatcom County Council Approved Version
October 21, 2025 Appendix C - Countywide Planning Policies
E. Non -City Urban Growth Areas
1. Urban Growth Areas have been established in areas that are not contiguous to
existing cities, and are already characterized by urban growth where adequate
facilities and services can be provided. These are the Birch Bay, Cherry Point,
and Columbia Valley UGAs.
2. Non -city urban growth areas, for already urbanized unincorporated residential
areas, shall be encouraged to infill in a way that will facilitate efficient provision
of facilities and services consistent with the scale of development.
3. Cherry Point shall be designated as an unincorporated industrial urban growth
area in recognition of existing large scale industrial land uses. Additional large
scale development shall be encouraged consistent with the ability to provide
needed services and consistent with protecting critical areas along with other
environmental protection considerations. The Cherry Point industrial area is an
important and appropriate area for industry due to its access to deep water
shipping, rail, all-weather roads, its location near the Canadian border, and its
contribution to the County's goal of providing family wage jobs.
4. The County shall assure that there are plans to provide appropriate levels of
urban facilities and services within non -city Urban Growth Areas. These plans
should be developed by special purpose districts, water associations and
private service providers within each of these Areas, and may be implemented,
where appropriate, through interlocal agreements.
F. Contiguous, Orderly Development and Planning in Urban Growth Areas
1. Cities and the County shall execute interlocal agreements to coordinate plans
for and manage growth in Urban Growth Areas prior to annexations. Interlocal
agreements shall acknowledge and implement the Countywide Planning
Policies.
2. Interlocal agreements shall incorporate clear and reasonable criteria for
orderly annexation. The County and the cities shall establish a process to
consider public input as part of the interlocal agreement approval processes
and, if appropriate, encourage districts to participate. If adequate procedures
are developed to replace it, the Boundary Review Board may be replaced.
3. All urbanized areas currently within urban growth boundaries associated with
cities should be encouraged to annex to cities. Orderly annexations with logical
boundaries are encouraged. Interlocal agreements shall specify guidelines on
size, timing of annexations and urban levels of development, and tax revenue
sharing when appropriate.
4. Within Urban Growth Areas, cities shall not extend water and sewer utilities
without an adopted program for annexation and an adopted Capital Facilities
Plan. Exceptions may be made in cases where human health is threatened as
determined by the County Health Department. If water extensions are made,
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan C-4
EXHIBIT A - Whatcom County Council Approved Version
October 21, 2025 Appendix C - Countywide Planning Policies
they shall be consistent with the service area boundaries and other provisions
within the adopted Coordinated Water System Plan.
5. In the areas where utilities presently extend beyond city limits, but are within
Urban Growth Areas, the city, County, and the existing water purveyors for
the area should coordinate planning efforts.
6. Unless specifically provided for by state statutes, Cities shall not extend urban
levels of water service to serve urban uses outside Urban Growth Areas. If
legally allowed water extensions are made outside of Urban Growth Areas, the
maximum number of connections shall not exceed the density allowed under
the associated zoning. The number of connections shall be specified in a legally
binding document at the time the extension is approved. Property contiguous
to extension of utilities necessary to solve existing water deficiencies, but
which cannot benefit from them because of zoning constraints, shall not be
assessed for those improvements.
7. The availability of pipeline capacity required to meet local needs and/or supply
shall not be used to justify comprehensive plan and/or rezone applications that
propose more intensive land use in agricultural land, forestry, and rural areas.
8. The cities and the County shall cooperate to identify and balance the needs of
each jurisdiction and entity when planning for transition of services and
annexation within Urban Growth Areas. The cities and the County should
coordinate with special purpose districts and other service providers in this
process. This intergovernmental cooperation and coordination may be
reflected in revenue agreements, work programs for joint projects, and
regional solutions adopted by the affected parties.
9. Major transportation, utility and greenway corridors shall be planned within
Urban Growth Areas.
10. Interlocal agreements shall include a process for reviewing development
standards within Urban Growth Areas.
11. To encourage contiguous, orderly development and annexation of residential
lands in Urban Growth Areas around cities, the County shall designate Urban
Residential or other zones limiting density to a maximum of one dwelling unit
per ten acres until public water and sewer are provided.
12. The County and the cities shall coordinate drainage, stormwater management
and flood control in Urban Growth Areas.
G. Affordable Housing
1. The County and the cities shall take actions to ensure a balance of housing and
economic growth consistent with each jurisdiction's employment base and
diverse income levels and to reduce commuting times and traffic congestion.
2. The County and the cities shall identify sufficient capacity of land for a healthy
mix of home types, sizes, and prices, including but not limited to ownership
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan C-5
EXHIBIT A - Whatcom County Council Approved Version
October 21, 2025 Appendix C - Countywide Planning Policies
opportunities for the widest possible range of incomes, income -restricted
housing, manufactured housing, multifamily housing, co -living housing,
farmworker housing, group homes, foster care facilities, emergency housing,
emergency shelters, and permanent supportive housing and other supportive
housing types.
3. Affordable housing should be convenient to major employment centers and
public services or be designed to accommodate public transportation.
4. The County and the cities shall promote innovative techniques and develop
strategies to provide for affordable housing with design, density, lot sizes and
development standards that provide for a variety of housing types.
5. The County and the cities shall review existing regulations and policies that
exclude or discourage multi -family, co -living housing, farmworker housing,
low-income, and permanent supportive housing and emergency housing and
shelter in their communities and reduce any identified barriers; they shall not
adopt regulations and policies which do so. Mobile, modular, and manufactured
homes on individual lots, mobile home parks, accessory units, inclusionary
zoning, mixed use, and increased densities shall be reviewed as affordable
housing alternatives.
6. The County and the cities shall work together, and with the private sector,
other public and non-profit agencies, community groups, and trade
representatives to plan for a regional distribution of housing for all income
levels, including permanent supportive housing types and emergency housing
and shelter for very low-income households.
7. Low income, multi -family and diverse and supportive housing options shall not
be concentrated in only a few communities or neighborhoods.
8. The County and the cities shall consider reducing impact and/or mitigation fees
for affordable housing provided in a proposed development.
H. Open Space/Greenbelt Corridors
1. Adequate open space is vital to the quality of life and sense of place in
Whatcom County. The County, cities, Port of Bellingham, and other appropriate
jurisdictions should coordinate protection of linked greenbelts, within and
between Urban Growth Areas, parks, and open space to protect wildlife
corridors, provide flood resilience, support infiltration of water, and to enhance
recreational opportunities, public access and trail development.
2. The County and the cities shall plan for greenbelts and open space in their
Comprehensive Planning processes and coordinate with each other. Open
space systems should include lands which contain natural areas, habitat lands,
natural drainage features, and/or other environmental, cultural and scenic
resources. With increased residential densities, jurisdictions also should ensure
provision of adequate neighborhood parks and play areas within safe bicycling
and walking distance for children.
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan C-6
EXHIBIT A - Whatcom County Council Approved Version
October 21, 2025 Appendix C - Countywide Planning Policies
3. The County and the cities shall encourage, to the extent it is feasible,
separation of Urban Growth Areas through planning, zoning, development
regulations, open space purchase, conservation easements and other
mechanisms which may be appropriate. Incentives such as density bonuses,
design flexibility, density credit/fee in lieu and transferable development rights
may be offered to affected land owners.
4. The County and cities should work cooperatively to protect and restore stream
corridors within Urban Growth Areas that support anadromous fish.
I. Economic Development and Employment
1. Whatcom County recognizes that a healthy economy, which provides
opportunity for diverse segments of the community, is important to the quality
of life in the area. The Whatcom County Comprehensive Economic
Development Strategy (CEDS) "is a long-term planning document that is
intended to guide economic development throughout a region."
2. New business development and expansion of existing businesses are key
factors in providing "family wage" jobs and a strong tax base. Economic
development that pays family wage rates should be encouraged. Industrial
land designations must be sufficient to permit the concentration of industry in
appropriate locations for the 20 year planning period. In order to attract new
industry and provide for expansion of existing industries, the County and the
cities will designate land supply of sufficient size and diversity to provide a
range of suitable locations for industrial development. The designation of this
land shall be established in a way that preserves natural resource based
industries and critical areas.
3. To provide sufficient land supply for industrial growth and development,
industrial designations must not only include lands suitable for development,
but also lands suitably zoned to provide adequate buffers. It is also important
that these lands and buffers be conserved with appropriate land use and zoning
provisions to ensure that they will be available for future use.
4. Encourage workforce education and training and responsible and sustainable
business recruitment, retention, and expansion according to city and County
comprehensive plans and current Whatcom County Comprehensive Economic
Development Strategy (CEDS) in order to support diverse and resilient
business and industry. Work with funding agencies and the private sector to
facilitate extension of adequate electric, sewer, water, telecommunications and
road access to existing commercial and industrial -zoned properties, creating
shovel -ready sites.
5. The County and the cities should include an economic development element in
their Comprehensive Plans. Economic development elements should be
consistent with the CEDS. Economic development shall be coordinated with
environmental concerns to protect the quality of life. Planning efforts should
address economic sustainability. As part of the comprehensive planning
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan C-7
EXHIBIT A - Whatcom County Council Approved Version
October 21, 2025 Appendix C - Countywide Planning Policies
process and through implementation of the comprehensive plan, the County
has adopted goals, policies and regulations that protect resource lands and
support and encourage resource -based industries.
6. The County and the cities should continue to cooperate with the Port of
Bellingham's Economic Development Division, Regional Economic Partnership
to maintain the CEDS for infrastructure funding. Other appropriate
organizations, businesses, and individuals should be involved in the process.
7. Economic vitality and job development shall be encouraged in all the cities and
in designated areas of the County consistent with County and city
comprehensive plan policies, particularly addressing adequacy of
transportation corridors, public transportation, impacts on the environment,
and the ability of the area to provide urban services in UGAs and rural services
outside UGAs.
8. Economic development should be encouraged that:
a. Does not adversely impact the environment;
b. Is consistent with local comprehensive plans;
c. Provides jobs to County residents;
d. Addresses unemployment problems in the County and seeks innovative
techniques to attract different industries for a more diversified economic
base;
e. Promotes reinvestment in the local economy;
f. Supports retention and expansion of existing businesses.
g. Promotes transition to and development of renewable energy sources.
9. The County and the cities recognize the need for the protection and utilization
of natural resources and resource lands including agricultural, mineral, forestry
and fishing. As part of a broad based economy, productive timber, agriculture,
fisheries, and mineral resource industries should be supported to operate in a
sustainable manner.
10. The cities and County may set policies for approving proposals to authorize
siting of Major Industrial Developments for large or resource -based industries
outside of Urban Growth Areas (as per RCW 36.70A.365). The master planning
process for specific manufacturing, industrial, or commercial businesses shall
address infrastructure, buffers, environmental protection, sprawl, resource
lands, critical areas, and land supply.
11. Whatcom County and the cities encourage siting of industrial uses in proximity
to and to further utilization of our access to deep water and port facilities for
shipping, rail, airports, roadways, utility corridors and the international border.
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan C-8
EXHIBIT A - Whatcom County Council Approved Version
October 21, 2025 Appendix C - Countywide Planning Policies
J. Countywide Transportation Facilities and Strategies
1. The Whatcom Council of Governments (WCOG), composed primarily of elected
officials appointed from all area jurisdictions, is the designated Regional
Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) for Whatcom County. Under the
Growth Management Act (GMA), RTPOs are directed to conduct regional,
cooperative transportation planning. WCOG is also the region's federally -
recognized Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). As a combined
RTPO/MPO, WCOG regularly updates a 20-year Regional/Metropolitan
Transportation Plan (R/MTP) including contents required by GMA (and by
federal, MPO planning laws and regulations). The R/MTP includes regional
transportation goals, projected system conditions, strategies, and investment
priorities. WCOG has adopted the R/MTP. The GMA requires RTPOs to review
and certify that updates to local comprehensive plans' transportation elements
(counties and cities) and changes to county -wide planning policies 1) conform
with GMA requirements and 2) are consistent with the current R/MTP. The
County and the cities will continue to support the RTPO on an on -going basis
to coordinate transportation planning across Whatcom County.
2. Whatcom County jurisdictions shall encourage multimodal transportation,
including alternative modes of transportation to the single occupancy vehicle.
Each jurisdiction shall encourage:
a. Use of public transportation;
b. Development of on -street bicycle routes and pedestrian and bicycle trail
corridors;
c. Adequate pedestrian facilities;
d. Connections between different modes of transportation;
e. Intermodal connection of freight transportation.
3. To encourage multimodal transportation, single occupant vehicle alternatives
and development of pedestrian scale neighborhoods, high density residential
development shall be encouraged in urban growth areas with particular
attention to those locations within cities and in close proximity to arterials and
main transit routes.
4. Cities are particularly encouraged to support transit and pedestrian friendly
mixed use developments within their UGAs to help achieve the goals supported
in these policies.
5. Where the level of service (LOS) for a locally owned transportation facility
adopted in a County or city comprehensive plan cannot be maintained as a
result of proposed new development, that development shall be denied, unless
transportation improvements or strategies to accommodate the impacts of
development are made concurrent with the development.
6. Strategies for maintaining established levels of service may include
transportation demand management techniques, impact or mitigation fees,
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan C-9
EXHIBIT A - Whatcom County Council Approved Version
October 21, 2025 Appendix C - Countywide Planning Policies
enhanced access to public transportation service, and/or other steps to reduce
or limit traffic congestion.
7. Priorities shall be established and expenditures coordinated for countywide
bicycle and trail corridors. Bicycle and pedestrian -specific trails and other
facilities shall be included during project planning and review. Coordinated
corridors and cost sharing should be explored among all responsible and
interested parties.
8. Whatcom County and the cities should work cooperatively with the Whatcom
Council of Governments, Whatcom Transportation Authority, WSDOT and other
agencies with jurisdiction to plan for inter -county and international
transportation links, such as airports, border crossings, passenger rail, freight
rail, transit, ferries, and other transportation facilities.
9. Encourage "complete streets" principles. Complete streets are designed and
operated to enable safe use and support mobility for all users, including people
of all ages and abilities, regardless of whether they are travelling as
drivers/passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, or public transportation riders.
K. Siting of Public Facilities
1. As part of the comprehensive planning process, the County and the cities shall
identify appropriate land for public facilities which meets the needs of the
community, such as schools, recreation, transportation and utility corridors,
human service facilities, and airport and other port facilities.
2. The County and the cities will implement a cooperative and structured process,
which includes early and continuous public involvement, to consider siting of
essential public facilities of a regional and statewide nature. State facilities
shall conform to local siting procedures.
3. Public facilities that generate substantial travel demand should be sited along
or near major transportation and public transit corridors, where available.
4. The County and the cities shall work with their respective school district to
encourage siting of schools in areas where substantial development exists or
is projected and near public transportation corridors.
5. Sharing of corridors for major utilities, trails and other transportation
rights -of -way is encouraged when not in conflict with goals to protect wildlife,
public health and safety.
L. Impact Fees
1. The County and the cities are encouraged to adopt fair and reasonable impact
and/or mitigation fee ordinances to ensure that new growth pays its fair share
of the cost of capital facilities, such as transportation improvements, parks,
schools, and fire protection facilities.
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan C-10
EXHIBIT A - Whatcom County Council Approved Version
October 21, 2025 Appendix C - Countywide Planning Policies
2. When requested by a school district or fire district, the County and cities should
work with the district to develop impact fees as appropriate to the district's
capital needs.
M. Intergovernmental Cooperation
1. The County and the cities will coordinate and cooperate throughout the
comprehensive plan, development regulations and urban growth area reviews
and updates undertaken pursuant to the Growth Management Act, RCW
36.70A. This coordination and cooperation will address topics including but not
limited to amount and location of population, housing, and employment
growth, capital facilities, transportation, climate change and community
resilience. As a component of this coordination and cooperation, the County
Executive may convene a Growth Management Planning Committee comprised
of elected officials from the County and the cities, representatives of the Lummi
Nation and Nooksack Tribe and, where deemed appropriate, representatives
from other agencies and Tribes.
2. To adequately plan for growth and implement the policies of the Growth
Management Act, the County and Cities will work with other governmental
jurisdictions in Whatcom County, including the Lummi Nation, Nooksack Tribe,
and the Port of Bellingham, to establish on -going mechanisms to improve
communication, information sharing and coordinated approaches to common
issues and concerns.
3. Whatcom County and the cities should communicate with neighboring counties
and governments in British Columbia and work cooperatively on growth
management issues that cross county and national borders.
N. Water Quality and Quantity
1. The cities and the County, in coordination with other municipal corporations,
tribal governments, federal and state agencies, and public and private utilities,
shall cooperate in the protection of water resources and in drawing upon said
water to support growth.
2. The Cities and the County in cooperation with other municipal corporations and
tribal governments shall adopt zoning regulations and development standards
to protect water resources. Where there are potential conflicts with
designations required by the Growth Management Act, such as natural
resource lands and critical areas, water resource protection shall generally
have priority.
3. Jurisdictions shall cooperate to protect and restore water resources and fish
habitat within UGAs and across jurisdictional boundaries to maintain quality of
life, economic health, and protect treaty natural resources in Whatcom County.
4. Jurisdictions involved in the development of ground and/or surface water
management plans shall pursue the adoption and implementation of the plans,
as well as coordination and integration of the plans into local comprehensive
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan C-11
EXHIBIT A - Whatcom County Council Approved Version
October 21, 2025 Appendix C - Countywide Planning Policies
plans as appropriate. Examples of such plans include the Lake Whatcom
Management Plan, WRIA 1 Watershed Management Plan, Shellfish Protection
District Plans and drinking water source protection plans.
5. To inform Growth Management Act planning efforts, water resources
management should be coordinated through participation in the Water
Resources Inventory Area (WRIA) 1 Watershed Management Board process
and in accordance with applicable federal, state and local regulations.
6. All jurisdictions shall maximize reduction of water pollutants from stormwater
runoff and combined sewer overflows.
O. Fiscal Impact
1. It is recognized that if the Growth Management Act and these policies are
implemented to their maximum extent, County government may eventually
lose the tax base needed to operate essential services, including the criminal
justice function and the Offices of Treasurer, Assessor, and Auditor, which
serve ail jurisdictions in the area. Revenue -sharing shall be addressed in inter -
local agreements between Cities and the County.
P. Private Property Rights
1. As required in the Growth Management Act, private property shall not be taken
for public use without just compensation having been made. It is not the
purpose of this paragraph to expand or reduce the scope of private property
already provided in local, state and federal law.
2. The County as required by Whatcom County Home Rule Charter Section 1.11,
and cities should establish a pro -active process to anticipate potential takings.
Q. Review and Evaluation Program
1. The County and cities will cooperate to implement and maintain a program
that meets the review and evaluation requirements of RCW 36.70A.215, unless
the Growth Management Act no longer contains these requirements or
sufficient funds are not appropriated by the state.
2. The purposes of this program are to:
a. Compare actual (achieved) development densities with planned
development densities and determine whether the County and cities are
achieving planned urban densities within urban growth areas and have
sufficient suitable land to accommodate housing needs and planned
employment growth through the remainder of the 20-year planning
period.
b. Identify and adopt reasonable measures, if necessary, to reduce the
differences between actual development patterns and growth and
development assumptions contained in the County comprehensive plan
and/or city comprehensive plans.
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan C-12
EXHIBIT A - Whatcom County Council Approved Version
October 21, 2025 Appendix C - Countywide Planning Policies
3. The County, in conjunction with the cities, will develop and maintain a Review
and Evaluation Program Methodology, taking into consideration the State
Department of Commerce Review & Evaluation Program Buildable Lands
Guidelines.
4. The County, in conjunction with the cities, will prepare, adopt, and publish a
Buildable Lands Report in accordance with the timeframes set forth in the
Growth Management Act.
5. The County and cities will follow the Review and Evaluation Program
Methodology for the collection, monitoring, and analysis of development
activity data, and comparing actual growth and development patterns with
growth and development assumptions. As part of this process, the cities and
County will collect data annually. The cities will provide collected data to the
County upon request.
6. When the Buildable Lands Report identifies inconsistencies between actual
development patterns and growth and development assumptions and targets
contained in the County comprehensive plan and/or city comprehensive plans,
the County and cities will discuss whether reasonable measures are necessary
and appropriate to address such inconsistencies before considering adjusting
urban growth areas. Each jurisdiction will individually determine whether
reasonable measures are required under the Growth Management Act for their
jurisdiction.
7. The County and cities will cooperate, and make every effort at the staff level,
to resolve disputes regarding inconsistencies in collection and analysis of data.
8. Nothing in this policy will be construed as altering the land use power of any
Whatcom County jurisdiction under established law.
R. Dispute Resolution Procedures
1. The County and cities will work cooperatively to implement the countywide
planning policies. The County and cities will work together to attempt to
resolve any disputes regarding implementation of the countywide planning
policies.
2. In the event of an impasse, the jurisdictions involved may mutually agree to
use mediation for a minimum of 90 days. After the 90 day period, the parties
may, by mutual agreement, elect to utilize binding arbitration. In the event
that the parties agree to use arbitration, a three member arbitration panel will
be selected by mutual agreement. If the parties cannot agree on membership
of the panel, each party will select one member and those two members will
select the third member. The decision of the arbitration panel on the issue will
be final.
3. If mediation, arbitration, or both are used, each jurisdiction will be responsible
for its own legal costs, but the jurisdictions involved will split the costs of a
mediator or arbitrators evenly.
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan C-13
EXHIBIT A - Whatcom County Council Approved Version
October 21, 2025 Appendix C - Countywide Planning Policies
4. Nothing in this policy will be construed as altering the land use power of any
Whatcom County jurisdiction under established law.
S. Tribal Cultural Resources
1. The County and cities shall work individually and cooperatively with the
affected tribe(s) to protect natural and cultural resources through individual
and joint efforts. Opportunities for open communication and early government -
to -government consultation regarding resource identification, management
and protection protocols should be established.
2. Federal, state and local laws pertaining to cultural resources and human
remains should be followed.
3. The County and cities should establish a clear and fair process for resolving
any disagreements regarding the identification, protection, or management of
tribal cultural resources. This process should involve mediation and conflict
resolution techniques that respect and affirm tribal sovereignty, treaty rights
and traditional practices.
4. The County and cities will work with the Washington State Department of
Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) and affected tribes to identify,
protect and manage historic, archaeological, and cultural sites as well as sites
and structures of significance in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
Tribal cultural resources include sites, features, places, cultural landscapes,
sacred places and objects with cultural value.
T. Climate Change/Community Resilience
1. The County and the cities will work individually and cooperatively to limit and
address impacts from climate change and increase community resilience.
2. As determined to be appropriate by each jurisdiction consistent with the
Growth Management Act, County and city comprehensive plans will include
policies to adapt to and mitigate the effects of a changing climate; support
reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and per capita vehicle miles traveled;
prepare for climate impact scenarios; foster resilience to climate impacts and
natural hazards; protect and enhance environmental, economic, and human
health and safety; and advance environmental justice.
3. The County and cities will incorporate comprehensive plan policies to support
the net zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050 consistent with the
Washington statewide target set by the State Legislature (RCW 70A.45.020).
4. The County and cities will incorporate comprehensive plan policies to address
natural hazards created or aggravated by climate change, protect natural
areas to foster climate resilience, and enhance community resilience to climate
impacts.
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan C-14
EXHIBIT A - Whatcom County Council Approved Version
October 21, 2025 Appendix C - Countywide Planning Policies
5. The County and cities will incorporate comprehensive plan policies to identify
vulnerable populations and overburdened communities and address their
exposure to climate impacts.
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan C-15