Comprehensive Plan

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Renton Comprehensive Plan The Comprehensive Plan is a long-term plan that establishes goals and policies for growth and development in Renton. Washington’s Growth Management Act (GMA) establishes statewide goals related to reducing urban sprawl, having efficient transportation systems, ensuring housing is affordable to all economic segments, retaining open space, and protecting environmental quality, among others.

The GMA requires cities to establish comprehensive plans to guide local government activities, including land use, transportation, housing, economic development, parks, and recreation; utilities; capital facilities; and climate change and resiliency. Renton’s Plan also addresses human services, community planning, and subarea plans.

The GMA establishes a statewide planning framework so that local, county, and regional plans work together to achieve county, regional, and statewide goals best. More information on Washington's Growth Management Act is available at MRSC.

Renton’s last Comprehensive Plan was last adopted in 2015, and Renton adopted an updated Comprehensive Plan in 2024. The update process included involvement from residents, property owners, stakeholders, and businesses, as well as, City staff, the City Council, the Planning Commission, and local partners like the State of Washington Department of Commerce and Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC). The update will also meet new requirements from the Legislature to plan for and accommodate housing for all income levels, allowing Middle Housing types in predominantly single-family zones, and addressing climate change.

Community input helped ensure that the future of Renton reflects the community's vision. Community members can contributed to the Comprehensive Plan by participating in meetings, attending community workshops, responding to surveys and other requests for input, reviewing draft materials, and sending other thoughts and feedback in to staff.

The City Council adopted the final plan in December 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Comprehensive Plan?

The Comprehensive Plan is a long-term planning document that establishes a vision, goals, and policies for Renton's future growth and development. It guides city actions related to land use and growth and opportunities for housing, and economic development such as workforce, business opportunities, natural environment protection, as well as infrastructure, public services and amenities such as parks, emergency response, stormwater management, mobility, water, wastewater, and more.

Renton’s current Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2015 with the vision of The center of opportunity in the Puget Sound Region where families and businesses thrive. The plan includes goals and policies for nine elements:

Land Use

Transportation

Housing and Human Services

Economic Development

Parks, Recreation, Natural Areas, and Trails

Community Planning

Utilities

Capital Facilities

Shoreline Management

How does Renton use the Comprehensive Plan?

The Comprehensive Plan guides Renton’s policies and regulations related to growth and development. It helps to ensure that Renton evolves in a way that matches the community’s vision for the future. The plan also helps unify decision-making across city departments by establishing shared goals and vision. Supporting infrastructure and service plans and budgets are aligned with the Comprehensive Plan.

How is the Comprehensive Plan developed?

The Comprehensive Plan is developed through community meetings, workshops, surveys, and work from City staff, the City Council, the Planning Commission, and local partner organizations.

What does plan for and accommodate housing for all incomes mean?

House Bill 1220 passed in 2021, specified that Comprehensive Plans must have policies regarding the provision of housing for all income segments. It also requires each community to identify the number of new housing units needed at each income level. At a minimum, Renton must plan to accommodate following housing units for each income level.