Comprehensive Planning in Washington State
In Washington State, comprehensive planning is performed under the Growth Management Act (GMA).The GMA provides a framework for state, regional, county, and local planning coordination. It requires coordination and consistency between comprehensive plans for all jurisdictions in the same county.
Statewide Coordination
The City of Ridgefield is undertaking a periodic review and update of its comprehensive plan, as required by the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA), RCW 36.70A.130(5). The GMA sets forth that Clark County and its cities should review and revise, if needed, their comprehensive plans to ensure the plan complies with GMA requirements. The GMA requires state and local governments to manage Washington’s growth by identifying and protecting critical areas and natural resource lands, designating urban growth areas, preparing comprehensive plans, and implementing them through capital investments and development regulations.
The GMA establishes state goals, sets deadlines, and offers direction on how to prepare local comprehensive plans, and sets forth requirements for early and continuous public participation.
The Growth Management Act has 14 goals, which are the foundation of all comprehensive plans.
- Encourage compact urban growth
- Reduce Sprawl
- Encourage coordinated, multimodal transportation
- Plan for and accommodate for affordable housing
- Encourage economic development
- Protect property rights
- Predictable permitting
- Maintain natural resource industries
- Retain open space, enhance recreation
- Protect the environment
- Encourage participation
- Ensure availability of public facilities and services
- Encourage historic preservation
- Manage shoreline development
More information about the Growth Management Act and comprehensive planning can be found on MRSC's website.
Regional Coordination
Clark County Council began discussing the 2025 Update to the Comprehensive Plan in January, 2023. The Ridgefield planning team is participating in monthly city/county coordination meetings.
2025 Update Meeting and Event Information can be found on the County website.
Growth Planning in Action
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Ridgefield City Council walks through how the City plans for growth with a comprehensive plan, with a little help from our friend, Carty the crane.