2024 Comprehensive Plan Update

The City of Poulsbo is undertaking a periodic review and update of its comprehensive plan, as required by the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA), opens in a new window RCW 36.70A.130(5) .  The GMA sets forth that Kitsap 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. This approach to growth management is unique among states. Rather than centralize planning and decision-making at the state level, the GMA is built on Washington’s strong traditions of local government control and regional diversity. 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.