2025-2026 Comprehensive Plan Update Program

This page will continue to be updated throughout the process.

City of Yakima Comprehensive Plan 2050

Under the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA), local governments in the state have to adopt, regularly amend, and periodically update an Urban Area Comprehensive Plan. The plan helps guide long-range land use policy in urban areas by establishing a community vision for effectively managing growth over a twenty-year period.

The City of Yakima Comprehensive Plan 2040, adopted in June 2017, includes Goals and Policies related to Land Use, Historic Preservation, Economic Development, Housing, Transportation, Capital Facilities, Utilities, Parks and Recreation, Shorelines, and the Natural Environment. Those Goals and Objectives are accomplished through zoning, subdivision, permitting, and the implementation of other regulatory controls.

Yakima’s Comprehensive Plan Update is due December 31, 2026. This is an extensive process requiring significant staff time and review by the Yakima Planning Commission. However, in order to respond to the needs of property owners in the interim, a “request for consideration” process is being initiated as indicated above, allowing staff and the Commission to examine site-specific requests to modify the Future Land Use Map or Comprehensive Plan text.

The Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) will hold several work sessions and public meetings concerning this update process. Prior to December 2026, the YPC will hold a formal public hearing on the updated plan and make a recommendation to City Council. City Council will hold a public hearing to provide residents, interested parties, and reviewing agencies an opportunity to comment on the recommendations. At the conclusion of the hearing, City Council will direct Planning staff to prepare legislation to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the 2050 Updated Plan. At a subsequent City Council meeting, the City Council shall enact an ordinance adopting their decision. Following City Council action, the City Clerk and Planning Staff will notify the public and agencies.

Cover page of Comprehensive Plan 2040 document.

The City of Yakima Staff and Planning Commission are now in the process of reviewing draft chapters of the 2050 Comprehensive Plan update. Below are the draft chapters expected to be reviewed with the Planning Commission:

Comprehensive Plan Update After October 14, 2026 Planning Commission Meeting

On February 11, 2025, Yakima City Council opened the Comprehensive Plan Amendment process pursuant the Yakima Municipal Code and State Law. As the City is currently working on the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update, any Comprehensive Plan Amendments for 2025 and 2026 will be consolidated under the Periodic Update process.

The City of Yakima Planning Commission formally opened the 2025-2026 annual amendment process at their meeting on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

Request for Consideration forms were accepted by the City Planning Division from February 26, 2025 to April 30, 2025. There is no fee for submitting a request form.
For changes to the Zoning Map, a Rezone Application may be required after an agreeable request has been processed with the Update. A rezone application may not be submitted concurrently with the request for consideration form.

APPLICATION FORM

Note: the application period is now closed.

CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING

The Yakima City Council will hold a public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan Update on November 2, 2026. See the full notice here: Upcoming City Council Public Hearings | City Council

The agenda packet (which will be uploaded to this page: Agendas and Minutes | City Council) will contain a link to the final draft of the plan.

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