Thurston County, Washington

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.
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Thurston County Washington

Community Planning and Economic Development

Community Plans

Joint Plans

Joint Plans outline land-use and development policies in the urban growth areas (UGAs) of Lacey, Olympia, Rainier, Tenino, Tumwater, and Yelm. Urban growth areas are unincorporated parts of the county that may be annexed by a city in the future. The joint plan is made with Thurston County and city governments working together. This leads to regulations that make future development more predictable for residents who live in those areas, and smoother when annexation occurs. Joint plans are part of the county's Comprehensive Plan and are updated regularly.

Joint Plans are not just documents; they result from a collaborative effort involving community members, city governments, and the county government. This process is designed to ensure that everyone's voice is heard and valued, with multiple opportunities for community input. These plans are reviewed by the City Planning Commission, the Thurston County Planning Commission, the City Council, and the Board of County Commissioners. The final adoption comes from Thurston's Board of County Commissioners, which adopts Joint Plans as part of the Thurston County Comprehensive Plan. 

Lacey Joint Plan (Adopted 2023)

Visit the UGA Joint Code Update page to learn more about the Lacey Joint Code update to Title 21.

Olympia Joint Plan (Adopted 2023)

Visit the UGA Joint Code Update page to learn more about the Olympia Joint Code update to Title 23.

Rainier Joint Plan (Adopted 2007)

The Rainier Joint Plan is scheduled to start updating in 2026.

Tenino Joint Plan (Adopted 2007)

The Tenino Joint Plan is scheduled to start updating in 2026.

Tenino UGA Analysis

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners has docketed the Tenino UGA Analysis to review the UGA to identify potential changes which may include, but not limited to, expansions, boundary swaps, or no action. Work by county staff is slated to begin in late 2024.

Tumwater Joint Plan (Adopted 2021)

Visit the UGA Joint Code Update page to learn more about the Tumwater Joint Code update to Title 22.

Yelm Joint Plan (Adopted 2023)

Subarea Plans

Subarea plans are a subset of the Comprehensive Plan and provide a vision for growth and investment in a specific area 20 years into the future. Thurston County has three subareas: Grand Mound, Rochester, and Nisqually. These subareas can lead to regulations that make future development more predictable for residents in those areas. 

Subarea Plans are developed in collaboration with community members and the county government. The process includes multiple opportunities for community input. They are reviewed by the community stakeholders, the Thurston County Planning Commission, and the Board of County Commissioners. The final adoption comes from Thurston's Board of County Commissioners, which adopts Subarea Plans as part of the Thurston County Comprehensive Plan. 

Grand Mound Subarea Plan (Adopted 2023)

Nisqually Subarea Plan (Adopted 1992)

Please visit the Nisqually Subarea Plan page for the update to the plan.

Rochester Subarea Plan (Adopted 2020)

Public Participation