Annual Docket

Amending the City's Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations

By state law, cities can update their comprehensive plans only once per calendar year per 36.70A.130 RCW and AMC Chapter 20.96 Amendments. The City also updates the Development regulations on an annual basis concurrently with updates to the comprehensive plan. The City has established an annual docketing process in order to identify and review all proposed amendments to the comprehensive plan and development regulations together. Once all proposed amendments for the year are received by the City, planning staff reviews each amendment for compliance with state and city regulations and then prepares a written analysis and recommendation to the Planning Commission. This is known as the Preliminary Docket.

The Planning Commission reviews the Preliminary Docket at a public hearing and makes a recommendation to the City Council on which proposals should be included on the Final Docket. After the City Council reviews the recommendation of the Planning Commission, they have the final say on which proposals will be placed on the Final Docket. Proposals that do not make it on the Final Docket will not be processed further by the city. The approval of the Final Docket does not approve the proposed amendments but rather places the items on the Community and Economic Development Department's work plan for the upcoming year.

Who Can Propose Comprehensive Plan Amendments

Any person, business, or organization may submit an application for a proposed amendment to the City's Comprehensive Plan or Development Regulations. The City can also propose amendments to the comprehensive plan and/or development regulations. 

Pre-Submittal Meeting

Prior to submitting an application for an amendment, schedule a meeting with planning staff. They will give you an idea of whether your proposal is feasible, what SEPA environmental work will need to be done, and other helpful information. You can schedule a meeting by calling the department main line at 360-403-3551.

Application Deadline

Applications are due by the last business day of August for each calendar year.

Application Submittal Requirements

Applications for Comprehensive Plan Amendments must be submitted it accordance with the application for a Land Use Request - City Council Decision. Please submit your completed application to the Community and Economic Development Department by either submitting through the online portal at: Permit Applications | Arlington, WA or direct email to: ced@arlingtonwa.gov. 

Review of Proposals

Community and Economic Development staff will review all proposed plan amendment applications. Staff will then make a formal recommendation on each proposed plan amendment to the Planning Commission.

Proposed Amendment Evaluations

In their report to the Planning Commission, planning staff will include recommendations on each proposed amendment based on the criteria listed in AMC Chapter 20.96 Amendments.

Planning Commission Public Hearing

The City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider all of the proposed amendments. The date and time of the hearing will be advertised at least 15 days prior to the hearing and will be held in October of each year. The Planning Commission will then make a recommendation to the City Council regarding each proposed amendment.

City Council Public Meeting

The City Council will then take into consideration the Planning Commission's recommendation for each proposed amendment and will review each proposed amendment. The City Council will consider the Docket items at meetings held in November of each year.

City Council Adoption

The Arlington City Council will adopt the Final Docket with a Resolution. This finalizes the annual docket process and allows staff to begin work on the proposed amendments. This also opens the “window” for amendment applications for the next calendar year.