Frequently Asked Questions

Answer: Public input is essential for updating a city's comprehensive plan. It ensures the plan reflects the community’s values, priorities, and lived experiences, not just technical data or legal requirements. When residents show up, share their ideas, and speak out, the City can make better-informed decisions about where and how homes, businesses, parks, and public services are provided.

Throughout the update process, the City will be hosting open houses, attending community events, and offering online surveys and comment tools. All feedback will help inform policies on housing, land use, transportation, climate, and more.

This involvement creates a plan that’s practical and widely supported, as it represents the shared vision of the community. Your voice matters and by participating, you help shape Ellensburg’s future.

Yes! In addition to in-person events, we’ll offer digital engagement tools including surveys, draft reviews, and idea boards. Check back here regularly or sign up for project updates to stay informed.

The periodic update is a state-mandated process that requires cities and counties to review and revise their Comprehensive Plans and development regulations at least once every ten years, as required by Washington’s Growth Management Act (GMA). This update ensures that the City’s policies remain consistent with:

• New state laws and planning requirements
• Updated data on population, housing, infrastructure, and climate
• Evolving community values and priorities

Ellensburg’s update must be completed by December 31, 2026. This process provides an opportunity to make the plan more responsive to today’s needs while preparing for the next 20 years of growth. The periodic update also ensures alignment with regional plans and improves coordination with state and local partners.

Public involvement is a key part of the update—your input helps shape how Ellensburg will grow and change over time.

The Growth Management Act allows for comprehensive plan amendments only once per year and City Council has established a process for that yearly amendment review.

Amendments may be proposed by any member of the public; including any member of a City Board or Commission, any member of City Council, or City staff. Proposals must be submitted by March 31st of the current year for possible consideration during that year’s review process. Council reviews all proposed amendments at the second regular meeting in July, and dockets those proposals deemed ready for consideration. The docketed proposals are then forwarded to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation. City Council will then hold a public hearing and take final action beginning in October.

Visit the Long Range Community Planning website for more information.

Recent changes to Washington State’s Growth Management Act (GMA) have added new requirements that all cities and counties must address in their Comprehensive Plans. As a result, this update will include:

• A more detailed housing needs analysis across income levels to help communities plan for a range of housing options;
• A review of local policies and regulations to identify any that may unintentionally contribute to housing barriers or displacement;
• Development of strategies to support housing stability, particularly for residents at risk of being displaced;
• A new climate element, which will include policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for climate-related impacts.

These updates are required by state law and are intended to help communities plan for growth in ways that are equitable, sustainable, and resilient.

In addition to meeting these state requirements, the City wants ideas and feedback directly from community members. This ensures the plan not only complies with state mandates, but also reflects local values and priorities identified through public engagement.

Recent updates to Washington’s Growth Management Act, through House Bill 1181 , require cities to plan for climate resilience. Ellensburg’s new Climate Element will include strategies to reduce risks from flooding, wildfire, and heat, while promoting sustainability and environmental health for future generations.

The Growth Management Act was adopted into law by the Washington State Legislature in 1990 to address ways to accommodate growth. It requires the fastest-growing cities and counties complete comprehensive plans and development regulations to guide future growth. All jurisdictions are required to protect critical environmental areas and conserve natural resource lands, such as farms and forests. The GMA calls for communities to review and, if necessary, revise their plans and regulations every ten years to ensure they remain up-to-date.

The state's Growth Management Act (GMA) requires cities to do several key things. They must plan for expected population and job growth over the next 20 years, making sure there's enough land for homes, businesses, and public services like roads and parks. Cities also have to protect sensitive areas like wetlands and forests, direct most new development into existing urban areas to prevent sprawl, and involve the public in the planning process. The GMA also mandates specific sections in the plan, such as those for land use, housing, transportation, and public facilities.

Urban growth areas are areas around incorporated cities and towns within which urban growth shall be encouraged and outside of which growth can occur only if it is not urban in nature.

Urban growth areas are to include enough land to accommodate the twenty-year population growth projected for the City. The Growth Management Act limits the land that a city may annex to land within its urban growth area.

The city limits define where Ellensburg currently provides services. The Urban Growth Area is land designated for potential future annexation and urban development. The Comprehensive Plan guides how and when UGA areas may be added to the City in a coordinated way.

Annexation is a separate process from the Comprehensive Plan but is influenced by its policies. As the Comp Plan is developed, the City will identify areas within the UGA that may be suitable for future annexation based on service capacity, land use, and community benefit. These factors are currently being study, and decisions about annexation will come later in the process. Any annexation proposal in the future would require public notice and City Council approval.

Another aspect of the comprehensive plan is the possibility of annexation of portions of Ellensburg’s Urban Growth Area (UGA) into the city limits. One of the goals of growth management is planned growth and to establish a process for incorporation of the City’s UGA into city limits.

Through annexation, the City of Ellensburg pursues the long-term financial health of the City by expanding the City’s existing tax base, while providing additional land for future residential, commercial and industrial development that allows the City of Ellensburg to focus infrastructure and resources on areas that can be annexed successfully and cooperatively. Proposed Annexation properties must be located in an adopted Urban Growth Area (UGA), must be contiguous to the City of Ellensburg, and must be designated in the City’s Comprehensive Plan as a potential annexation area.

Annexation Methods
Cities in the State of Washington are given a number of tools to annex unincorporated areas. A brief description of possible annexation methods is outlined in Planning Bulletin PB-35. For a more detailed description of all annexation methods please refer to the Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington’s Annexation Handbook.

Of the available annexation methods, the City of Ellensburg has most often used the Direct Petition method. The direct petition method of annexation requires that a minimum of 10% of the property owners (calculated by assessed value) sign petitions to initiate the annexation process. Upon successful initiation the requested annexation is forwarded to the City Council for an official initiation action. Once successfully initiated by the City Council, a minimum of 60% of the property owners within the annexation area (calculated by assessed value) must sign the petition, PF-02 Petition For Annexation Form.

Once adopted, the Comprehensive Plan becomes the legal foundation for future zoning, infrastructure planning, and capital improvements. The City will update development regulations to align with the new policies. Some implementation actions may be short-term, while others will unfold over many years.

Visit this page regularly for updates, event announcements, and draft documents. You can also sign up for email updates or follow the City on social media to stay connected.