Revised Code of Washington
2024 Archive

Chapter 36.70 RCW
PLANNING ENABLING ACT
PDF of Chapter Digest
PDF of Complete Chapter
Sections
36.70.010Purpose and intent.
36.70.015Expenditure of funds declared public purpose.
36.70.020Definitions.
36.70.025"Solar energy system" defined.
36.70.030Commission—Creation.
36.70.040Department—Creation—Creation of commission to assist department.
36.70.050Authority for planning.
36.70.060Regional planning commission—Appointment and powers.
36.70.070Commission—Composition.
36.70.080Commission—Appointment—County.
36.70.090Commission—Membership—Terms—Existing commissions.
36.70.100Commission—Vacancies.
36.70.110Commission—Removal.
36.70.120Commission—Officers.
36.70.130Planning agency—Meetings.
36.70.140Planning agency—Rules and records.
36.70.150Planning agency—Joint meetings.
36.70.160Director—Appointment.
36.70.170Director—Employees.
36.70.180Joint director.
36.70.190Special services.
36.70.200Board of adjustment—Creation—Zoning adjustor.
36.70.210Board of adjustment—Membership—Quorum.
36.70.220Board of adjustment—Appointment—Appointment of zoning adjustor.
36.70.230Board of adjustment—Terms.
36.70.240Board of adjustment—Vacancies.
36.70.250Board of adjustment—Removal.
36.70.260Board of adjustment—Organization.
36.70.270Board of adjustment—Meetings.
36.70.280Board of adjustment—Rules and records.
36.70.290Appropriation for planning agency, board of adjustment.
36.70.300Accept gifts.
36.70.310Conference and travel expenses—Commission members and staff.
36.70.315Public notice—Identification of affected property.
36.70.317Statement of restrictions applicable to real property.
36.70.320Comprehensive plan.
36.70.330Comprehensive plan—Required elements.
36.70.340Comprehensive plan—Amplification of required elements.
36.70.350Comprehensive plan—Optional elements.
36.70.360Comprehensive plan—Cooperation with affected agencies.
36.70.370Comprehensive plan—Filing of copies.
36.70.380Comprehensive plan—Public hearing required.
36.70.390Comprehensive plan—Notice of hearing.
36.70.400Comprehensive plan—Approval—Required vote—Record.
36.70.410Comprehensive plan—Amendment.
36.70.420Comprehensive plan—Referral to board.
36.70.430Comprehensive plan—Board may initiate or change—Notice.
36.70.440Comprehensive plan—Board may approve or change—Notice.
36.70.450Planning agency—Relating projects to comprehensive plan.
36.70.460Planning agency—Annual report.
36.70.470Planning agency—Promotion of public interest in plan.
36.70.480Planning agency—Cooperation with agencies.
36.70.490Information to be furnished agency.
36.70.493Manufactured housing communities—Prohibitions of county due to community status as a nonconforming use.
36.70.495Planning regulations—Copies provided to county assessor.
36.70.500Right of entry—Commission or planning staff.
36.70.510Special referred matters—Reports.
36.70.520Required submission of capital expenditure projects.
36.70.530Relating capital expenditure projects to comprehensive plan.
36.70.540Referral procedure—Reports.
36.70.545Development regulations—Consistency with comprehensive plan.
36.70.547General aviation airports—Siting of incompatible uses.
36.70.550Official controls.
36.70.560Official controls—Forms of controls.
36.70.570Official controls—Adoption.
36.70.580Official controls—Public hearing by commission.
36.70.590Official controls—Notice of hearing.
36.70.600Official controls—Recommendation to board—Required vote.
36.70.610Official controls—Reference to board.
36.70.620Official controls—Action by board.
36.70.630Official controls—Board to conduct hearing, adopt findings prior to incorporating changes in recommended control.
36.70.640Official controls—Board may initiate.
36.70.650Board final authority.
36.70.660Procedures for adoption of controls limited to planning matters.
36.70.670Enforcement—Official controls.
36.70.675Child care facilities—Review of need and demand—Adoption of ordinances.
36.70.678Conditional and special use permit applications by parties licensed or certified by the department of social and health services or the department of corrections—Mediation prior to appeal required.
36.70.680Subdividing and platting.
36.70.690County improvements.
36.70.692County development regulations—Proposed water uses.
36.70.695Development regulations—Jurisdictions specified—Electric vehicle infrastructure.
36.70.700Planning agency—Time limit for report.
36.70.710Final authority.
36.70.720Prerequisite for zoning.
36.70.730Text without map.
36.70.740Zoning map—Progressive adoption.
36.70.750Zoning—Types of regulations.
36.70.755Residential care facilities—Review of need and demand—Adoption of ordinances.
36.70.757Family day-care provider's home facility—County may not prohibit in residential or commercial area—Conditions.
36.70.760Establishing zones.
36.70.770All regulations shall be uniform in each zone.
36.70.780Classifying unmapped areas.
36.70.790Interim zoning.
36.70.795Moratoria, interim zoning controls—Public hearing—Limitation on length.
36.70.800Procedural amendments—Zoning ordinance.
36.70.810Board of adjustment—Authority.
36.70.820Board of adjustment—Quasi-judicial powers.
36.70.830Board of adjustment—Appeals—Time limit.
36.70.840Board of adjustment—Notice of time and place of hearing on conditional permit.
36.70.850Board of adjustment—Appeal—Notice of time and place.
36.70.860Board of adjustment—Scope of authority on appeal.
36.70.870Zoning adjustor—Powers and duties.
36.70.880Zoning adjustor—Action final unless appealed.
36.70.890Board of adjustment—Action final—Writs.
36.70.900Inclusion of findings of fact.
36.70.910Short title.
36.70.920Duties and responsibilities imposed by other acts.
36.70.930Chapter alternative method.
36.70.940Elective adoption.
36.70.970Hearing examiner system—Adoption authorized—Alternative—Functions—Procedures.
36.70.980Conformance with chapter 43.97 RCW required.
36.70.982Fish enhancement projects—County's liability.
36.70.990Treatment of residential structures occupied by persons with handicaps.
36.70.992Watershed restoration projects—Permit processing—Fish habitat enhancement project.
36.70.994Pollinator habitats—Beehives—Definitions.
NOTES:
Acquisition of interests in land for conservation, protection, preservation, or open space purposes by counties: RCW 64.04.130.
Alternative planning enabling act: Chapter 35.63 RCW.
Appearance of fairness doctrine—Application to local land use decisions: RCW 42.36.010.
County, sewerage, water, and drainage systems as part of comprehensive plan: Chapter 36.70 RCW.
Expediting completion of projects of statewide significance—Requirements of agreements: RCW 43.157.020.
Joint operations by political subdivisions, deposit and control of funds: RCW 43.09.285.
Unfit dwellings, buildings, and structures: Chapter 35.80 RCW.