Bill > HB1695

This bill amends the Growth Management Act to modify provisions related to unincorporated villages and rural development. Specifically, the bill introduces a new provision that allows counties to create a subarea plan for an existing unincorporated village (an area previously characterized as a town, village, or hamlet but never incorporated) under certain conditions. These conditions include adopting a subarea plan with a logical outer boundary, allocating a portion of the rural 20-year population and housing to the subarea, amending the capital facilities plan to demonstrate adequate public facilities and services, and complying with countywide planning policies. The bill also makes a minor technical amendment to urban growth area expansion rules, allowing urban governmental services to be extended to these specific unincorporated village areas. The changes aim to provide more flexibility for counties in planning for rural and semi-rural communities, particularly those with existing settlement patterns that don't quite fit traditional urban or rural classifications. The amendment recognizes that some unincorporated areas may have unique characteristics that require tailored planning approaches.

Government Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1695&Year=2025&Initiative=false