2026 Periodic Updates

What is the 2026 Periodic Update?
The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) requires cities and counties to adopt comprehensive plans and development regulations for their communities. The City of Millwood has adopted a comprehensive plan and development regulations in accordance with the provisions of the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA). Additionally, a GMA periodic update of a comprehensive plan and related development regulations must be conducted every ten (10) years. For the current cycle, the City of Millwood is required to complete work on the periodic update by June 30, 2026 - December 31, 2026 (updated April 2025 through SB 5558). The City must make revisions necessary to comply with changes to WA State law, update data and best available science, and may consider changes to the vision, goals, and policies contained in the City Comprehensive Plan.

What is the City of Millwood Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations?

The City of Millwood Comprehensive Plan is a strategic policy framework that sets out the community's vision for future growth and development. It outlines how Millwood will plan for population growth, consider environmental factors, and ensure essential services and facilities are provided to meet the City's needs for the next 20 years. The development regulations are contained in the Millwood Municipal Code (MMC) and they implement the City Comprehensive Plan with zoning regulations, design standards, etc.

• View the current City Comprehensive Plan
• Access the Millwood Municipal Code (MMC) to view the current development regulations

Why does the City need to complete a periodic update?
The City of Millwood is undertaking a periodic review of its Comprehensive Plan and applicable Development Regulations that must be completed by June 2026 with Development Regulations pertaining to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Middle Housing, other new Development Regulations, and housekeeping updates for consistency that must be completed by December 2026, as required by the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA). The City must be up-to-date with the requirements of the GMA, including the periodic update requirements, to be eligible for grants and loans from certain state infrastructure programs. Additionally, as part of the periodic update, the City will be adding a new Parks and Recreation Element to the City Comprehensive Plan to be eligible for funding through the WA State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) for parks, recreation, open space, and trails projects such as the renovation of Millwood City Park that began the Millwood Park Re-imagined planning process in 2022.

 The City Council and Planning Commission held a special joint kick-off meeting for the 2026 Periodic Update on July 9, 2024

• View the 2026 Periodic Update Overview Presentation
• View the draft update model ordinance-user guide changes summary for Tier 3 Cities
• View the Tier 3 City Requirement Notes (required middle housing types) 6/17/25
• View the 2026 Periodic Update Overview & Status Presentation from Joint City Council & Planning Commission Meeting on 7/8/25

How can I participate in the 2026 Periodic Update?

The City Council has adopted a Work Plan and a Public Participation Plan for the 2026 Periodic Update to assist the City and the public with completing the periodic update. These documents outline the proposed schedule and public engagement for the 2 year update process beginning in July 2024 and concluding by December 2026.
 

• View the adopted 2026 Periodic Update Work Plan
• View the adopted 2026 Periodic Update Public Participation Plan

2026 Periodic Update Work Plan Modification - December 2025
The City of Millwood had to utilize the administrative modification provision in the work plan (Resolution 2024-03) to fit with the work that Spokane County completed on Millwood’s Comprehensive Plan Climate and Resiliency Element as well as some Housing Element modifications that were needed due to the City of Mercer Island Growth Management Hearings Board (GMHB) case. Additions/modifications to the Comprehensive Plan will be scheduled for the 1st Quarter of 2026 with the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) adoption being postponed to coincide with other MMC development regulations updates. The overall 2026 schedule is also being adjusted to reflect the Periodic Update Grant (PUG) updated deliverables and adjusted timelines. The City of Millwood is on track for an on-time completion of the 2026 Periodic Update with a finalization Resolution anticipated by November 2026 (December 2026 deadline). Below is the updated work plan for 2026 (subject to modification):

January 2026

• Comprehensive Plan Climate & Resiliency Element and modified Housing Element SEPA Threshold Determination
• Submit 60 Day Notice of Intent to Adopt Amendments to DOC for the Draft Comprehensive Plan Climate & Resiliency Element and modified Housing Element (Comp Plan Part 2)
• Issue Notice of Planning Commission Public Hearing at least 10 days prior to public hearing
• January 13, 2026, City Council Meeting - Status updates for Periodic Update and Periodic Update Work Plan Modifications
• January 28, 2026, City Planning Commission Meeting - Public Hearing on the Draft Comprehensive Plan Climate & Resiliency Element and modified Housing Element (Comp Plan Part 2) + Planning Commission Recommendation
• Issue Notice of City Council Public Hearing at least 10 days prior to public hearing

February 2026

• February 10, 2026, City Council Meeting - Public Hearing on the Draft Comprehensive Plan Climate & Resiliency Element and modified Housing Element (Comp Plan Part 2) w/ Ordinance 1st Reading
• February 25, 2026, City Planning Commission Meeting - Discuss Draft Development Regulations Updates (including CAO)

March 2026

• March 10, 2026, City Council Meeting - Public Hearing on the Draft Comprehensive Plan Climate & Resiliency Element and modified Housing Element (Comp Plan Part 2) w/ Ordinance 2nd Reading / Adoption
• Submit Notice of Final Adoption of the updated Comprehensive Plan Climate & Resiliency Element and modified Housing Element (Comp Plan Part 2) to DOC within 10 days of adoption
• March 25, 2026, City Planning Commission Meeting - Review Draft Development Regulations Update (moved to March 31st)

April 2026

• April 14, 2026, City Council Meeting - Status updates for Periodic Update
• April 22, 2026, City Planning Commission Special Meeting - Review Draft Development Regulations Updates
• April 29, 2026, City Planning Commission Meeting - Review Draft Development Regulations Updates

May 2026

• May 12, 2026, City Council Meeting - Status updates for Periodic Update
• May 13, 2026, City Planning Commission Special Meeting - Review Draft Development Regulations Updates
• May 27, 2026, City Planning Commission Meeting – Public Workshop on Draft Development Regulations Updates Review Draft Development Regulations Updates

June 2026

• Planning Update Grant (PUG) D8, D9, D10, D11, D12, and D13 Submittals
• June 9, 2026, City Council Meeting - Status updates for Periodic Update
• June 24, 2026, City Planning Commission Meeting - Review Draft Development Regulations Updates Public Workshop on Draft Development Regulations Updates

July 2026 (may include some August tasks)

• July 14, 2026, Joint City Council / Planning Commission Special Meeting - Review Draft Development Regulations?
• July 14, 2026, City Council Meeting - Status updates for Periodic Update
• July 29, 2026, City Planning Commission Meeting - Review Draft Development Regulations Updates

August 2026 (may include some September tasks)

• SEPA Threshold Determination for Draft Development Regulations
• Submit 60 Day Notice of Intent to Adopt Amendments to Commerce for Draft Development Regulations
• Issue Notice of Planning Commission Public Hearing at least 10 days prior to public hearing for Draft Development Regulations
• August 11, 2026, City Council Meeting - Status updates for Periodic Update
• August 26, 2026, City Planning Commission Meeting - Public Hearing on Draft Development Regulations
• Issue Notice of City Council Public Hearing at least 10 days prior to public hearing for Draft Development Regulations

September 2026 (may include some October tasks)

• September 8, 2026, City Council Meeting - Public Hearing on Draft Development Regulations w/ Ordinance 1st Reading
• September 30, 2026, City Planning Commission Meeting - TBD (non-Periodic Update Development Regulations review)

October 2026 (may include some November tasks)

• October 13, 2026, City Council Meeting - Public Hearing on Draft Development Regulations w/ Ordinance 2nd Reading / Adoption & Periodic Update Completion Resolution
• Submit Notice of Final Adoption of the updated Development Regulations to DOC within 10 days of adoption
• October 28, 2026, City Planning Commission Meeting - TBD (non-Periodic Update Development Regulations review

November 2026

• November 10, 2026, City Council Meeting - Periodic Update Completion Resolution
• Planning Update Grant (PUG) D14, D15, and D16 Submittals
• November 25, 2026, City Planning Commission Meeting - Cancelled due to Thanksgiving Holiday?

December 2026

• December 8, 2026, City Council Meeting
• December 30, 2026, City Planning Commission Meeting - Cancelled due to New Year’s Holiday?

Planning Commission & City Council Agenda Packets are available on the homepage at https://www.millwoodwa.us/ under Minutes & Agendas
 

If you would like to be added to the public notice email list to receive information throughout the periodic update process, please email planner [at] millwoodwa.us (planner[at]millwoodwa[dot]us).

Notice of Millwood City Council Special Meeting June 9, 2026 at 5pm & Planning Commission Special Meeting Notice for June 9th

Notice of Planning Commission Public Workshop June 24, 2026 - Draft Development Regulations

Draft Millwood Development Regulations

2026 Periodic Update - Introduction to Development Regulation Requirements 12-9-25

Planning Commission June 24, 2026 Public Workshop Drafts:

Title 14 Land Use (5/28/26)

Chapter 15.04 to 15.20 Construction (5/28/26)

Title 16 Subdivisions (5/28/26)

Chapter 17.04 (5/28/26)

Chapter 17.06, Table of Permitted Uses (5/28/26)

Chapters 17.08 to 17.18, Residential Zones (5/28/26)

Chapters 17.20 to 17.36, Commercial Industrial Public Zones (5/28/26)

Chapter 17.38, General Provisions (5/28/26)

Chapter 17.42, Wireless Telecommunication Facilities (5/28/26)

Chapter 17.44, Administration and Enforcement (5/28/26)

Chapter 17.48, Essential Public Facilities (5/28/26)

Title 17 Appendix A, Definitions (5/28/26)

Chapter 18.08, Critical Areas Ordinance Draft (5/28/26)

Development Regulations Review Tracker (5/28/26)

How can I learn more about the Growth Management Act and the Periodic Update Process?

Visit the WA State Dept. of Commerce webpage for information on what WA State law requires, components of the update, and educational videos:

https://www.commerce.wa.gov/serving-communities/growth-management/periodic-update/ 

(check back often as requirements are updated and materials are added)