Planned Action
This page provides a brief overview of "planned action" projects for local governments in Washington State under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), including examples of documents.
For more information on SEPA generally, see our page State Environmental Policy Act.
Overview
A planned action is a development project whose impacts have been addressed by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) associated with a plan for a specific geographic area before individual projects are proposed. A planned action involves detailed State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review and preparation of EIS documents in conjunction with sub-area plans, consistent with RCW 43.21C.031 and WAC 197-11-164 through 172. Such up-front analysis of impacts and mitigation measures then facilitates environmental review of subsequent individual development projects.
General Resources
- Department of Ecology: State Environmental Policy Act Handbook (2018) – See Section 7 on SEPA and the Growth Management Act offering a very helpful overview of planned actions
- Puget Sound Regional Council (PRSC): Housing Innovations Program Tool – Provides background on planned action as part of PRSC's Housing Innovations Program
- "Planned Action" SEPA Review: Cities' Experiences and Advice (2009) – Article by Deborah Munkberg
Examples of Planned Actions and Ordinances
- Bellingham Waterfront District – Includes planned action ordinance, subarea plan, and development regulations
- Bothell Downtown Subarea Plan and Regulations – Includes a comprehensive plan and regulations for the downtown subarea, as well as appendices describing the planning process
- Bremerton Eastside Village Subarea Plan – Includes an EIS, SEPA environmental checklist, ordinances, and market study
- Edmonds Highway 99 Planning Project – Includes adopting ordinance, Final EIS, and development code
- Kirkland NE 85th Street Station Area Plan – Plan for a walkable, transit-oriented neighborhood. Includes planned action ordinance, environmental impact statements, form-based code, design guidelines, and more
- Mountlake Terrace Town Center Subarea Plan – Page includes description of plan and final SEIS
- Puyallup Planned Action Ordinance No. 3173 (2018) – Establishes Downtown Neighborhood Planned Action and adopts EIS measures
- Tacoma Mall Neighborhood Subarea Plan – Includes an amended ordinance, subarea plan, and subarea FEIS
- Sammamish Town Center Sub-Area Plan – Includes ordinances, regulations, and SEPA documents
Examples of Planned Action Codes and Processes
- Gig Harbor Municipal Code Sec. 19.04.003 – Categorically exempt and planned actions
- Mill Creek:
- Municipal Code Ch. 14.17– Planned Actions
- Consolidated Development Permit and Environmental Review (2019) – Generalized planned action process
- Mountlake Terrace Municipal Code Ch. 19.90 – Town Center planned action
