Looking for our currently adopted plans? Go to our Codes, Plans & Standards page.
Planning for our future
Plans are the foundation of much of what we do in the City. They guide our actions and ensure the goals set by the City Council and the community are realized. Planning staff in all departments work together with advisory committees, stakeholders, and the general public to ensure that our final, City Council adopted plans are in line with the community's vision outlined in the Comprehensive Plan.
Together, the cities of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater applied for and received $300,000 in grant funds from the Washington State Department of Commerce to use toward the development of housing action plans.
The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) was amended in 2019 and again in 2020 to encourage cities to take steps to increase residential building capacity in urban growth areas. The City is considering opportunities to allow a wider variety of housing types in low density residential neighborhoods.
The plan helps to guide decision making across all areas of our Parks, Arts & Recreation department. This community-driven update will include, public surveys and feedback, strategies for prioritizing improvements, and will incorporate goals grounded in equity and inclusion.
Olympia is working with Lacey, Tumwater, Thurston County and the Thurston Regional Planning Council to develop a regional climate mitigation plan. The plan will complement the Thurston Climate Adaptation Plan that the TRPC developed with regional partners.
The Shoreline Master Program (SMP) is a set of local policies and regulations adopted by the City under the State’s Shoreline Management Act that generally applies to all major water bodies and lands within 200 feet of those waters. Every eight years, counties and cities must review the SMP.
Olympia is growing, and we need to plan a transportation system that will keep everyone moving. The Transportation Master Plan (TMP) will include short-, mid-, and long-term project lists for bicycle, pedestrian, transit, motor vehicle and freight projects.
The City has begun the process of updating its Water System Plan. The plan will contain information on water demand forecast and source assessment, system deficiencies and how to address them, source water protection, conservation, service areas, a financing plan, and an operations and maintenance program.
The master planning process is underway to develop a design concept to guide future park development at 3323 Yelm Highway. The master plan will incorporate active and passive recreational amenities, preservation and protection of critical areas, and integration of public art into the design.