The act lists 13 overall goals in RCW 36.70A.020, plus the shoreline goal added in RCW 36.70A.480(1). Counties and cities should design comprehensive plans and development regulations to meet these goals.

(1) This list of 14 goals is not exclusive. Counties and cities may adopt additional goals. However, these additional goals must be supplementary. They may not conflict with the 14 statutory goals.

(2) Balancing the goals in the act.

(a) The act's goals are not listed in order of priority. The ultimate burden and responsibility for planning, harmonizing the planning goals of this chapter, and implementing a county's or city's future rests with that community. Differences in emphasis are expected from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Although there may be an inherent tension between the act's goals, counties and cities must give some effect to all the goals. Balancing the act's goals must not be interpreted to allow a violation of statutory requirements. Counties and cities should consider developing a written record demonstrating that it considered the planning goals during the development of the comprehensive plan and development regulations.

(b) When there is a conflict between the general planning goals and more specific requirements of the act, the specific requirements control.

(c) In some cases, counties and cities may support activities outside their jurisdictional boundaries in order to meet goals of the act.

(d) Development regulations must be consistent with the goals and requirements of the act and the comprehensive plan. In most cases, if a comprehensive plan meets the statutory goals, development regulations consistent with the comprehensive plan will meet the goals.