Plan Amendment

The Annual Review  process allows property owners to request changes to their property’s comprehensive plan and zoning designations. These changes could allow property owners to use their property for activities not currently permitted under its existing designation.

The Docket process provides a means for suggested improvements in comprehensive plans and development regulations submitted by interested persons, hearing examiners and staff of other agencies.

 

The Annual Review process allows property owners to request changes to their property’s comprehensive plan and zoning designations. These changes could allow property owners to use their property for activities not currently permitted under its existing designation. For information on current Annual Review cases, please visit the Annual Reviews page.

 

What are Comprehensive Plan and Zoning designations?

Comprehensive Plan designations are general descriptions of the types of activities that are permitted on your property. These designations are categorized into two general areas, urban and rural. Urban and rural areas are defined by the urban growth boundary (UGB) for each city. The land inside the boundary, including the area within the city, is the urban growth area (UGA), also called urban area. UGAs are established as part of the growth management process to allow for the efficient provision of urban levels of government services. The area outside the UGB is the called rural area.

Zoning designations are more specific. A list of all of the uses allowed, building setbacks, lot sizes and other detailed information can be found in the zoning ordinance.

When Comprehensive Plan designation changes are applied for, zone changes are generally completed during the same process.

What are my Comprehensive Plan and Zoning designations?

There are two ways to determine your Comprehensive Plan and Zoning designations.

Community Development Land Use Line You may call the land use line at 564.397.4489 and speak with a Permit Technician. To confirm your designations, staff will need the address or parcel number of the property.

Maps Online You can also find this information online by using Maps Online. Enter your street address or tax account number and click “Go”. Next click on the blue “Property Information Center” link above the serial number. Your Comprehensive Plan and Zoning designations will be listed in the left column.

Do I need an Annual Review or just a zone change?

Annual Review - If your existing zoning and your desired zoning have different Comprehensive Plan designations, an Annual Review is required. An annual review is also required if you want to change to a significantly higher or lower density within the same Comprehensive Plan designation.

Zone change - If your existing zoning on the property and the zoning that you desire have the same Comprehensive Plan designation, you only need to apply for a zone change.

How do I apply for an Annual Review? How much does it cost?

Annual Review Fees
Activity Fee

Issuance Fee
Pre-application $1,166 $94
Annual Review $8,113 $94
SEPA Review $1,987 $53

Submit a Pre-Application Conference request - October 1 - November 30

Development Review Application Form

(PDF)A pre-application conference is required before you may apply for an annual review. This is an opportunity
to discuss your proposal with staff and ask questions. During this one-hour session, you will learn about code standards and possible issues applicable to your proposal. Below is the link to an automated application form. Please complete the form, sign, and return with the handout and associated paperwork for your case.

Annual Review Pre-App Conference Request handout (PDF)

*The submittal must be accompanied with the Application form.

Submit an Annual Review application - January 1 - 31

The next step in the process is submitting an Annual Review Type IV Application.
Applications are accepted between January 1 and January 31.
Below is the link to an automated application form. Please complete the form, sign, and return with the handout and associated paperwork for your case.

Development Review Application Form (PDF)

Annual Review Type IV Request handout (PDF)

Present your proposal to the Clark County Planning Commission

A public hearing will be held before the Planning Commission. During the hearing, you will be given time to present your proposal. County staff will also present an overview of their analysis.

The Planning Commission will forward a recommendation to the Clark County Council. The council will consider the proposals in a separate public hearing. Typically, public hearings before the Planning Commission are held in early summer and late fall for the County Council.

 
2021 Annual Review Process

How do I provide comment either for or against a proposed amendment?

Here is how to provide testimony to both the Planning Commission and Clark County Council.

Planning Commission

IN PERSON Testimony may be given at the hearing. Written testimony may also be submitted for the record during the hearing.
EMAIL sonja.wiser@clark.wa.gov
MAIL
Clark County Planning Commission
c/o Sonja Wiser
PO Box 9810 / Vancouver, WA 98666-9810

Information on the hearing process and how to provide effective testimony can be found on the Planning Commission's meeting page.

County Council

Anyone wishing to give testimony in regard to this matter can do so in one of the following ways:
IN PERSON Testimony may be given at the hearing. Written testimony may also be submitted for the record during the hearing.
EMAIL rebecca.messinger@clark.wa.gov
MAIL
Clark County Council
c/o Rebecca Messinger, Clerk to the Council
PO Box 5000 / Vancouver, WA 98666-5000

​Related Information

Project contact

Jose Alvarez, Planner III
564.397.4898
jose.alvarez@clark.wa.gov