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Posts for Development Regulations and Zoning

Inclusionary Zoning: One Tool for Creating Affordable Housing

March 19, 2026  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Housing

Since local governments are not in the business of building housing, how can they address the affordable housing problem? One regulatory tool is inclusionary zoning, which encourages developers to add affordable units in new residential development projects in specified areas.

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2025 Legislation Affecting Local Government Planning

August 5, 2025  by  Leonard Bauer
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Administration ,  Parking ,  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Housing ,  Transportation and Land Use ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Several bills from 2025 will impact local government planning, addressing topics as diverse as periodic update deadlines, local parking requirements, and historic landmark property designation.

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2025 Housing-Related Legislative Outcomes

July 23, 2025  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Housing ,  New Legislation and Regulations

The 2025 state legislative session included bills that encourage the development of more housing as well as the preservation of existing affordable housing, generally by building on legislation from prior sessions. 

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2025 Legislation Promotes the Development of Childcare Facilities

June 12, 2025  by  Lisa Pool ,  Barbara Rosen ,  Maria Tobin
Category:  Guest Author ,  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Inclusive Communities ,  New Legislation and Regulations

One bill from the 2025 legislative session requires certain localities to update their local codes and make it easier for childcare facilities to be sited in a variety of zones. Another requires local governments remove minimum parking standards for these and other facilities. 

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Indoor of a green building under construction

Office-to-Housing Conversion Adds Vibrancy to Downtowns

April 2, 2025  by  Leonard Bauer
Category:  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Housing ,  Downtown Revitalization Series

With downtowns still struggling to regain pre-COVID occupancy rates, some are wondering whether office-to-residential conversions can provide housing and bring people back. Can local governments remove some of the obstacles and adopt incentives that spur this type of development?

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A Local Government’s Role in Regulating Battery Energy Storage Systems

January 29, 2025  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Climate and Sustainability ,  Development Regulations and Zoning

With the growing use of battery energy storage systems (BESS), more public and private operators will want to locate these systems in Washington. What can cities and counties learn from Sumner, Arlington, and other early adopters of BESS regulations?

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Battery Energy Storage Systems – Coming Soon to Your Community?

January 22, 2025  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Climate and Sustainability ,  Development Regulations and Zoning

Battery energy storage systems offer new ways to store electrical power, and their modular nature means they can be configured to meet many uses. Local governments should determine how to incorporate such facilities into their existing land use codes and regulations.

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Updating Your Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code? Consider Corner Stores.

November 7, 2024  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Development Regulations and Zoning

The deployment of corner stores in dense communities can help a local government meet its land use goals as well as provide a neighborhood meeting place and meet the local need for daily essentials like food and conveniences. 

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3 children building with wooden blocks

Reducing Barriers for Childcare Facilities, Part 2

March 25, 2024  by  Lisa Pool ,  Barbara Rosen
Category:  Guest Author ,  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Impact Fees ,  Inclusive Communities

How can local governments support the development of more childcare facilities in their community? Well-thought-out zoning and development regulations can go a long way in helping to reduce the barriers for childcare providers.

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A childcare teacher works with 5 young children

Reducing Barriers for Childcare Facilities, Part 1

March 20, 2024  by  Lisa Pool ,  Barbara Rosen
Category:  Guest Author ,  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Inclusive Communities

Lack of access to affordable childcare may lead to a parent dropping out of the workforce, while convenient, affordable care creates economic advantages for families and communities. How can local governments support the growth of diverse childcare options in their communities?

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A close up of rows of berries at the Whatcom County Farmer's Market

Planning for Local Food Systems: A Whatcom County Case Study, Part 1

May 22, 2023  by  Lisa Pool ,  Ali Jensen
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate and Sustainability ,  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Rural Uses

What is a local food system plan and why would a local government want to develop one? Whatcom County is one of a few local governments statewide developing such a plan, and county staff share insight into the process. 

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A New Approach for Dealing with Conditional Uses in Your Zoning Code

August 3, 2022  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Development Regulations and Zoning

Conditional use permits, most often used for certain land uses that might not normally fit into a zoning category but could work if the proposed use meets certain conditions, can be made into a more efficient and effective zoning tool with some modifications. 

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Preserving Affordability Through Manufactured Home Park Zones

June 21, 2022  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Housing

Manufactured homes are often overlooked yet can be an important affordable housing option. Local governments can protect them by creating new zones (or strengthening existing regulations) that designate areas specifically for manufactured home parks. 

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Seven Hills, LLC v. Chelan County: When Does a Nonconforming Use Come into Existence?

October 18, 2021  by  Oskar Rey
Category:  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions

This blog reviews the recent state Supreme Court decision in Seven Hills LLC v. Chelan County, which looked at whether a marijuana company established its business before the county placed a moratorium on marijuana production.

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As the Pandemic Recedes, Ghost Kitchens Are Here to Stay

October 7, 2021  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Licensing and Regulation

Ghost kitchens proliferated during the pandemic once dine-in options were curtailed and restaurants sought to make up lost revenue. With consumer demand still strong, local governments should assess whether their zoning codes address this concept. 

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Changing Your Zoning Code to Accommodate Housing and Shelters for the Homeless

June 29, 2021  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Homelessness ,  New Legislation and Regulations

This blog provides and overview and guidance regarding E2SHB 1220, which encourages local governments to take active steps to accommodate transitional housing, emergency shelters, and similar facilities via zoning and regulatory updates.

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Expanding Affordable Housing Options Through Missing Middle Housing

May 17, 2021  by  Leonard Bauer
Category:  Guest Author ,  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Housing

Part 1 of this two-part blog series looks at how a missing middle housing program can bring new affordable housing options to a city, using case studies from Wenatchee, Orting, Lake Stevens, Fife, and Walla Walla.

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Six Suggested Actions for Planners during the Extended COVID-19 Pandemic

January 28, 2021  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Streets and Sidewalks ,  Land Use Administration ,  Economic Development

This blog suggests some action items planners can undertake during the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage commerce, promote recreational opportunities, and streamline the planning process. 

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When is a Development Application Ready for Review?

July 6, 2017  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Development Regulations and Zoning

Once a jurisdiction determines that a planning-related application is complete it has 120-days to  make a decision on that proposal. But what makes an application complete? MRSC Planning Consultant Steve Butler reviews the options. 

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Tiny Homes: Coming to a Neighborhood Near You?

December 30, 2015  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Development Regulations and Zoning

Zoning and construction regulations create significant barriers against tiny homes, especially if someone wants to live in them on a permanent basis. This blog covers some the things to consider in the regulation of tiny homes in local communities.

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