This month: New guidance, upcoming grants, important deadlines



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Sept. 15, 2025
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Planners’ Monthly Newsletter – September 2025

*This month: New guidance, upcoming grants, important deadlines*

Now available: Local Project Review guidebook

Commerce is pleased to announce the release of the Local Project Review guidebook [ [link removed] ]. This updated resource provides cities and counties with clear, practical guidance on implementing Chapter 36.70B RCW [ [link removed] ], Washington’s framework for local government project review.

The guidebook reflects the most significant reforms to local project review in three decades, including recent legislative changes (Chapter 338, Laws of 2023 (SB 5290)) [ [link removed] ] to streamline permitting, improve predictability, and support housing production statewide. Organized for ease of use, it covers application procedures, review timelines, public participation, appeals, administration, and development agreements, while also highlighting best practices drawn from jurisdictions across Washington.

Designed for local government staff, planners, and permit reviewers, this guidebook serves as both a statutory reference and a practical handbook to help jurisdictions update and improve their permitting processes.

Find the guidebook on Commerce’s Local Project Review webpage [ [link removed] ].

 

Periodic Update Grant deadlines approaching

Commerce provides Periodic Update Grants to support cities and counties planning under the state’s Growth Management Act. Several important deadlines are approaching that jurisdictions should be aware of:


* *Sept. 30:* Deadline for* 2026* jurisdictions to return draft scope of work and budget breakdown.
* *Oct. 17:* Application deadline for *2027* jurisdictions
* *Jan. 23, 2026:* Deadline for* 2026 and 2027* jurisdictions to sign PUG contract for FY26

Find more information, including application materials, on our GMA Grants webpage [ [link removed] ].  For questions, contact Ashley Murphy <[email protected]>.

 

Apply now for Salmon Recovery through Local Planning Grants

Commerce is offering salmon recovery planning grants to cities and counties (both full and partially planning under the Growth Management Act) and federally recognized tribes in Washington. Approximately *$3 million* in grant funding is available to support updates to comprehensive plans and development regulations focused on protecting ecosystems, improving water quality, and vital salmon habitat.

Applicants are eligible to apply for up to $500,000 and applications are due by 4 p.m. Nov. 17.

*Application information*


* Grant application instructions [ [link removed] ]
* Grant application [ [link removed] ] (Smartsheet intake form)
* Salmon Recovery Grant FAQ [ [link removed] ]

*Pre-application virtual workshops*

Commerce will host a pre-application workshop at 10 a.m. Oct. 1 to provide more information about this grant opportunity and how to apply. An application workshop reserved for tribal members [ [link removed] ] will follow at 11 a.m.

Register to attend [ [link removed] ] to attend.

*Questions?* Contact the Growth Management Services Ecosystem Team by emailing Angela San Filippo <[email protected]>. Visit Commerce’s Ecosystem Planning [ [link removed] ] webpage for more information.

 

Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) applications due by Sept. 26

Applications for the latest round of Connecting Housing to Infrastructure grants are due Friday, Sept. 26. A total of $90 million is available to support the development of affordable housing, including $5 million for a pilot program in Chelan, Douglas and Okanagan counties.

CHIP applicants must be a city, county or public utility district in partnership with an affordable housing developer and projects must meet certain criteria. Find more information and application materials on the funding post. [ [link removed] ]

For questions, contact CHIP program manager Mischa Venables <[email protected]>.

 

Apply now: Clean energy siting and permitting grants available

Commerce is accepting applications for Clean Energy Siting and Permitting (CESP) grants to support local governments and tribes in improving the siting and permitting of clean energy development across Washington state.

A total of *$4.85 million* will be awarded, with funds available through June 2027. See Commerce’s clean energy siting and permitting grant posting [ [link removed] ] for more information and application materials. *Applications are due* *Oct. 9.*

Growth Management Services Managing Director Dave Andersen said: “We highly encourage jurisdictions to take advantage of this funding opportunity if you are grappling with siting clean energy facilities in your communities. These funds can be used for agricultural lands inventory, best practices and policies, and updating local codes. Please contact our regional planners [ [link removed] ] if you need help accessing or applying for this grant funding.”

 

RFP: Transit-oriented development guidance

Commerce is seeking proposals from qualified firms interested in preparing guidance documents for developing effective transit-oriented development (TOD) station areas, consistent with recently enacted TOD legislation [ [link removed] ]. Proposals are due by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept 30. Learn more: RFP: Transit Oriented Development [ [link removed] ]

*Housing updates*

Fact sheet outlines new Housing Accountability Act review

Passed in 2025, the Housing Accountability Act [ [link removed] ] establishes a review process whereby cities and counties can request Commerce review and approve comprehensive plan housing elements and associated housing development regulations. It also provides that Commerce may select up to 10 cities or counties each year for review. Commerce recently published a Housing Accountability Act fact sheet [ [link removed] ] describing each review process and a frequently asked questions document [ [link removed] ].

Commerce is developing criteria for selecting the 10 communities for review. Please send suggestions for criteria Commerce should use to select those jurisdictions to Laura Hodgson <[email protected]> by Sept. 22. This material will be incorporated into Commerce’s Draft HAA Selected Review Criteria, which will be published for public comment in October and finalized in December. The first communities will be selected by the end of 2025. See Commerce’s Updating GMA Housing Elements webpage [ [link removed] ] for more information.

 

Report on impact fee deferrals by Sept. 30

Commerce is required to collect data on impact fee deferrals for single-family detached and attached home construction. We are asking all jurisdictions that collect impact fees to fill out this brief survey [ [link removed] ] to report on activity in the previous year.

Please fill out the survey by Sept. 30. If you have questions, contact Katherine Mitchell <[email protected]>.

*From our partners*

MRSC Webinar: Tools for Boosting Community Resilience to Climate Impacts

MRSC Logo

As climate-related impacts like wildfires and extreme heat intensify across Washington, how can communities prepare and adapt? The Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington will present a workshop at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, to share real-world case studies and effective tools for boosting community resilience. Experts from Gonzaga University, Spokane, King County, Issaquah, and Commerce will share how local governments, in partnership with universities and nonprofits, are implementing solutions like cooling centers, heat pumps and green infrastructure. You’ll also hear about a state technical assistance program that helps communities identify energy resilience solutions and apply to potential funding sources.

Register: Tools for Boosting Community Resilience to Climate Impacts [ [link removed] ]

 



WGS shares new tsunami evacuation walk time maps for Raymond and South Bend

DNR logo

The Washington Geological Survey recently published new tsunami evacuation walk time maps for Raymond [ [link removed] ] and South Bend [ [link removed] ], along the Willapa River in southwest Washington. The maps show evacuation routes to follow during a tsunami, along with the amount of time it takes to evacuate using the routes at a slow walking pace. A slow walking pace is 2.46 miles per hour; the same pace used for the timing of crosswalks.



*Upcoming events*

APA Annual Conference

Registration is open for the Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association’s annual conference Oct. 8-10 in Tacoma [ [link removed] ]. The theme of this year’s conference is “Bold Visions & Smart Solutions for an Ever-Changing Future.” Commerce senior planners will participate in sessions on Transit Oriented Development, a review of the latest housing requirements, integrating clean energy technologies at the local level, and more. Stop by the Commerce booth for a live demonstration. We hope to see you there!

 

Regional Planners’ Forums

Commerce, the Planning Association of Washington, and the Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association collaboratively present the Regional Planners’ Forums [ [link removed] ].

The Planners’ Forums are a free opportunity for planners, planning commissioners, elected officials and community members to talk informally about local issues, share ideas, and receive updates from state and federal agencies.

Planners’ Forums also satisfy some professional development requirements for credentialed planners through advanced-level presentations on timely and relevant planning subjects.

*Fall Northwest Planners’ Forum*


* 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29
* Register via Zoom [ [link removed] ]

 

Periodic Update Workshops

Commerce routinely hosts workshops on specific elements of the periodic update process. These workshops provide valuable opportunities for local jurisdictions to understand and meet the requirements of the periodic update. Please consider joining us for an upcoming workshop to learn more about planning in Washington.

 

Short Course on Local Planning

The Short Course on Local Planning offers an overview of land use planning laws in Washington, an introduction to comprehensive planning and plan implementation under the Growth Management Act, a review of roles in planning, and mandatory training on the Open Public Meetings Act for local government officials. All courses are online, free and open to the public.

Our regular *online courses* resume next month:


* 6-8:30 p.m. Nov. 13 [ [link removed] ]
* 1-3:30 p.m. Dec. 10 [ [link removed] ]

These* in-person courses *are in October:

*Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council*


* 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 7 
* Wenatchee Convention Center, Wenatchee
* Register for the in-person course [ [link removed] ]

*American Planning Association – Washington Chapter: Annual Conference*


* 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Hotel Murano [ [link removed] ] in Tacoma





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