2022 King County Comprehensive Plan

Plan update

County Council approves the 2022 plan

The Council adopted the 2022 King County Comprehensive Plan update on December 6, 2022. It includes the Skyway-West Hill and North Highline Subarea Plans. The Council also made the following amendments to the plan:

• 2022: Ordinance 19555
• 2020: Ordinances 19034 and 19146
• 2018: Ordinance 18810
• 2017: Ordinance 18623

The 2022 plan update is an annual update. It's limited to minor changes, technical corrections, subarea plan adoption, and land use changes that do not amend the Urban Growth Area.

The previous plan is from 2016, which the Council adopted on December 5, 2016. It was the fifth major update to the Comprehensive Plan.

Plan amendments

2022 King County Comprehensive Plan Update

Pass/Fail Summary of Line Amendments to Proposed Ordinance 2022-0162 (164KB)

Striking Amendment S1

(Updated November 14, 2022) 

Striking Amendment S1 to Proposed Ordinance 2022-0162 (341KB)

Redline version of Striking Amendment S1 to Proposed Ordinance 2022-0162 (409KB)

Attachments to Striking Amendment S1

Attachment A – Amendments to the 2016 Comprehensive Plan (2.34MB)

Redline version of Attachment A to Proposed Ordinance 2022-0162 (3MB)

Attachment B – Skyway West Hill Subarea Plan (11.4MB)

Redline version of Attachment B to Proposed Ordinance 2022-0162 (11.5MB)

Attachment C – North Highline Subarea Plan (9.7MB)

Redline version of Attachment C to Proposed Ordinance 2022-0162 (6.5MB)

Attachment D – Amendments to Land Use and Zoning Maps (32.4MB)

Redline version of Attachment D to Proposed Ordinance 2022-0162 (28MB)

Title Amendment T1 for Striking Amendment S1

Title Amendment T1 (111KB)

Proposed Line Amendments to Striking Amendment S1 

Amendment 1 to S1 (71KB)

Executive-requested changes to inclusionary housing affordability options

Amendment 2 to S1 (123KB)

Subarea planning schedule

Amendment 3 to S1 (119KB)

Subarea-specific performance measures

About the Comprehensive Plan

The plan is the guiding policy document for land use and development in unincorporated King County. It ensures compliance with the goals and requirements of the Growth Management Act. It also lets the County make policy adjustments that address changes in the community's growth and long-term needs.

The Comprehensive Plan covers regional services such as transit, sewers, parks, trails, and open space.

It also addresses the following services:

• Where homes, offices, or stores can be built.
• How roads, buildings, and trees contribute to the look and feel of neighborhoods.
• Protection of working farms and forests.
• Access to clean water, clean air, and a healthy environment.

Plan updates

King County Code (K.C.C. 20.18.030) allows for annual, midpoint, and 10-year updates to the Comprehensive Plan. The midpoint and 10-year updates consider broader policy changes and revisions to the Urban Growth Area.

Here's what the updates cover:

• Annual update: Permits limited changes, technical corrections, adoption of subarea plans, and adoption of land use changes that do not amend the Urban Growth Area.
• Midpoint update: An optional revision authorized for the fifth year of the 10-year cycle. It's limited to what's included in the motion describing the scope of work.
• Ten-year update: A complete plan review and update, as mandated by Growth Management Act requirements.