(1) "Project consistency" refers to whether a project is consistent with adopted and applicable development regulations, or in their absence, comprehensive plans adopted under chapter 36.70A RCW.

(2) Project review for consistency is not subject to the provisions of this chapter for regulations or plans that:

(a) Do not exist or have not been adopted under chapter 36.70A RCW; or

(b) Do not apply to the particular project (e.g., no need to review compliance with flood plain ordinances if the site is not in a flood plain).

(3) The adopted and applicable development regulations/plans that apply to a project fall into four basic categories, which are defined in different levels of detail by GMA counties/cities:

(a) Type of land use;

(b) Level of development (dwelling units per acre or other measures of density);

(c) Infrastructure to support the proposed project (public facilities and services); and

(d) The other characteristics of the development (how the project is sited or otherwise built and operated from a growth management/land use and environmental perspective).

(4) Reviewing consistency in these four categories will be largely a code-checking exercise for relatively simple or routine projects in GMA counties/cities with specific development regulations, while more complex projects or projects that affect critical areas may require more analysis.