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Government Affairs Resources & Policies

These pages have information to help you in your community planning and government affairs efforts as well as in your business. The following pages are indexed under 9 main topics. Just click on the general subject matter for a wealth of research, policy briefs, studies, issue and position papers, model ordinances and toolkits for making an impact!

Land Use & Environmental Policies

Building & Energy Code

  • Washington State Building Code Council — Adopted 2009 changes to Codes that go into effect July 1, 2010. Implementation of the WA State Energy Code has been postponed until October 29, 2010.

Climate Change

Community Planning & Land Use

  • Accommodating Growth Through Infill Development Washington Research Council Policy Brief on how communities can work to remove impediments to infill housing. (2001)
  • Buildable Lands Process Flawed Washington Research Council Policy Brief examines the implications of the buildable lands process as it relates to the availability of land for housing. (2005)
  • Buildable Lands Process: Part I Washington Research Council special report that provides an update of the buildable lands process by revisiting the issues raised in the previous Research Council report. (2008)
  • Buildable Lands Process: Part II Washington Research Council special report that analyzes six countywide buildable lands reports, keeping in mind that cities and counties use them in their planning process. (2008)
  • Buildable Lands Washington Research Council Policy Brief discusses buildable land as it is defined by the GMA, the challenge of knowing how much is available, and the constraints to developing the lands. (2001)
  • Land Use and You, Part I, Part II, Part III — by Sandy Mackie, Perkins Coie LLC. A series explaining the importance of land use decisions to REALTORS® and how they can be involved in local decisions that determine the use, value and marketability of the property in their communities.
  • Permitting Audit Report from the Planning Department of the City of Mountlake Terrace on the city’s audit of its permitting process. (2007)
  • Planning for Quality Growth Washington REALTORS® Issue Paper on the challenges, strategies and recommendations for growth management planning and key elements of a community's comprehensive plan.
  • Planning for Growth: Importance of Accurate Growth Projections Policy guide by Jack Petrie addresses policy issues regarding range of growth projections. (2003)
  • Population Projections for GMA Planning Washington Research Council Policy Brief reviews the Office of Financial Management growth projections for Washington communities. (2002)
  • Public Facilities Under the Growth Management Act White Paper by Perkins Coie LLP which addresses policy issues relating to public facilities under the GMA that will accommodate growth - transportation, sewer, water, schools, fire protection, law enforcement. (2003)
  • Role of Local Government Planning REALTORS® Issue Paper that explains local government comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, regulations and capital improvement programs.
  • Rural Development Washington REALTORS® Issue Paper about the economic development of rural areas, balancing growth with maintaining rural character. Explains four keys to strong economic development. (2000)
  • Rural Development Washington Research Council Policy Brief on the GMA's requirement to include rural development in the comprehensive plan. (2001)
  • Useful Tips for Quality Growth Washington REALTORS® Issue Paper that explains the benefits and barriers to sustainable growth, as well as techniques involved in a community's planning process.

Critical Area and Shorelines

Floodplains

Growth Management Act (GMA)

Property Rights

Water Quality & Resources

Tax & Fiscal

Property Tax

Business Taxes & Fees

Real Estate Excise Tax (REET)

Sales Tax on Services

Impact Fees

Economic Development

Planning

  • Economic Development and the Quality of Life Project Washington REALTOR® Issue Brief that explains the importance of and the parts of an economic development element in a comprehensive plan. (2002)
  • Economic Development: GMA's Missing Link Washington Research Council Policy Brief discusses the purpose and components of the GMA-required economic development element in a community's comprehensive plan. (2002)
  • Economic Development Issue Paper Washington REALTOR® legislative Issue Paper is an analysis of economic development in Washington state and how factors such as housing, infrastructure and buildable lands affect our economic vitality. (2000)
  • Economic Development Planning Guide Policy Guide by Elaine Davis, Simeon Partnership LLC; policy guidance by John Spangenburg, Urban Connection and Michael McCormick, FAICP; offers a process for preparing an economic plan for communities taking a fresh look at their plans for economic vitality with sample goals and policies. (2002)
  • Importance of a Vital Local Economy White Paper by David Evans and Associates that explains the basic elements of an economic development plan. Includes planning, goals and policies as well as an economic development questionnaire to assess community needs.
  • Local Government Efforts to Promote Economic Growth and Development Washington Research Council Policy Brief shows how communities address growth locally. Explains new positive policies emerging. (2001)

Policies & Ordinances

  • Economic Development Element An example of economic development goals and policies proposed by REALTORS® for consideration in Clallam County.
  • Economic Development Goals An example of the types of economic development goals a jurisdiction can incorporate in the economic development element of their plans in order to ensure economic vitality.
  • Prosperous Community: Economic Development, Outcomes, Goals and Policies Policy Guide by John Spangenburg and Mike McCormick explains how to set and achieve economic goals and outcomes (results) and benefits to the community. Includes a model set of policies and goals. (2003)
  • Recommendations for Ensuring Economic Vitality Recommendations for local actions including a review of comprehensive plan, zoning, development regulations and policies to ensure economic vitality in a community along with the strategies to accomplish them. (2001)

Housing

Housing Market

Housing Research

Designs & Development Trends

Housing's Economic Impact

Housing's Economic Impact — District Specific

Impact of Regulations

Planning for Housing

Policies & Ordinances

  • Accessory Dwelling Unit Talking points and sample regulation to provide for accessory dwellings: smaller housing units and a lower-priced home alternative.
  • Housing Affordability through Density Bonuses Ordinance Basic housing ordinance outline that local jurisdictions can use to promote more affordable housing choices through density bonuses.
  • Building Density Recapture Talking points and sample regulation that allows increases in building density when a property owner cannot construct the number of units allowed under existing zoning due to limitations imposed by a critical areas ordinance.
  • Cluster Development Talking points and regulation allowing development that groups homes together on parcels of land so it preserves the environment and, in certain areas, rural character while providing the much needed "green space".
  • Cottage Housing Talking points and sample regulation allowing cottage housing - typically a group of smaller detached structures that have private outdoor spaces like decks, but may include shared space like play areas or courtyards.
  • Jobs/Housing Balance Talking points and sample policy to seek a Jobs/Housing Balance so that a local jurisdiction will provide sufficient housing for the people who work in that community.
  • Lot Size Averaging Talking points and sample regulation that allows a parcel to be divided into unequal sized lots as long as the average of all the lots sizes remains above the minimum zoned lot size. This allows a variety in lot sizes and thus a variety of home choices.
  • No Net Loss of Housing Talking points and sample “no net loss” policy which keeps a community aware that they must “make up” the housing units lost because a property originally planned for homes can no longer be developed.
  • SEPA Exemption for Projects Up to 20 Units Talking points and sample development regulation allowing our communities to waive SEPA review requirement for smaller developments under 20 units. If our communities use this rule, it saves on costs and encourages more affordable home choices.
  • Short Plats Up to 9 Lots Talking points and sample regulation that reduces the permitting and environmental review time associated with smaller developments.
  • Housing Target Talking points and sample policy that incorporates population projections into the Comprehensive Plan so that the local government can plan for the number of housing units necessary to accommodate planned growth.
  • Housing Variety Talking points and sample policy on having a variety of choices means that neighborhoods will have a variety of different lot sizes, housing sizes, and designs.
  • Snohomish Co. Clustering Ordinance Snohomish County's clustering ordinance that has been approved by the Growth Management Hearings Board.
  • Accessory Dwellings Ordinance - Lacey City of Lacey Municipal Code for defining accessory dwelling units, which are allowed in all residential zones.
  • Cottage Housing Regulations City of Mountlake Terrace memo containing draft regulations for cottage housing.

Infrastructure

Planning

  • A Firm Foundation for Growth Washington Research Council Policy Brief on the importance of infrastructure to Washington's demand to accommodate growth. (2000)
  • Build for Vitality Washington Research Council Policy Brief on the importance of providing funds for infrastructure that encourages economic vitality and accommodates growth. (2002)
  • Infrastructure in Washington: Connecting to Growth Washington Research Council Policy Brief looks at the challenges with the infrastructure needs of a growing state: growth trends, policy dilemmas and priority-setting. The brief reviews funding sources. (2006)
  • Transportation Element Review Review by Michael Luis and Associates of the Snohomish County draft Transportation Element to the Comprehensive Plan with recommendations for finance strategies that would enhance the County's ability to provide transportation to support growth. (2005)
  • Washington's Infrastructure Needs: Governance and Decision-making Washington Research Council Policy Brief outlines the array of participants in infrastructure decisions, describes some of the challenges inherent in decision-making, and suggests actions that could help bring order. (2005)

Funding

GA Plan Toolkit

  • Action Guide: Quality of Life Washington REALTORS® 17-page Action Guide for local involvement in a community planning process.
  • Community Planning Toolkit Planning Guide includes information on how to influence local planning and development process, how to determine the major issues, where to get information and how to form coalitions.
  • Community Planning Language Concise definitions of planning vocabulary to help understand the terms. (2002)
  • How to Organize Courthouse Visits A "to do" list by the Snohomish County/Camano Association that has been conducting them successfully for several years. Plan a local "Hill Day."
  • How to Do a Housing Issues Briefing A simple "how-to" from Seattle-King County Association of REALTORS® which has conducted these effective advocacy events for state and local elected officials for many years.
  • Instructions for Community Involvement Program Instructions by David Evans and Associates for use of materials that encourage citizens to pursue the adoption and implementation of economic development and housing plans in small and medium size communities.
  • Local Government Action Plan A checklist of local government affairs program activities and objectives to help plan for the year of effective advocacy of our issues.
  • Local Planning Participation "A Citizen's Guide to Public Participation - How to Influence (and appeal) Local Government Land Use Decisions under Washington State's Growth Management Act," by Larry Stout. This paper is designed to give the interested citizen activist the basic tools to become an effective participant in local government's land use planning and appeal process.
  • Useful Tips for Providing Effective Testimony Tips presented by Bryan Wahl, former Washington REALTORS® Government Affairs Director, on how to effectively testify in a public hearing.

Quality of Life Toolkit

Local Action Tools