Criteria for Rezones

Contents

• Introduction
• City and County Ordinance Provisions
• Public Information Handouts

Introduction

This page presents general criteria and procedures for approving and processing requests for zoning map changes (rezones). Rezones involve the changing of a parcel, or parcels, of land from one zoning classification to another zoning classification under the jurisdiction's land use (or zoning) regulations.

For cities and counties fully planning under the Growth Management Act, all zoning map amendments must be consistent with the rezone criteria in the jurisdiction’s land use regulations and with the comprehensive plan. If a request for a zoning map change is inconsistent with the comprehensive plan, a plan amendment would be required or the request would be denied. Jurisdictions vary in how they process rezones that would require a comprehensive plan amendment. Comprehensive plan amendments are generally considered no more frequently than once a year (see RCW 36.70A.130(2)).

City and County Ordinance Provisions

• Bainbridge Island Municipal Code Ch. 18.114 - Rezones 
• Bellevue Land Use Code Part 20.30A - Rezone
• Bellingham Municipal Code Sec. 20.19.030 - Rezone Criteria
• Edmonds Community Development Code Ch. 20.40 - Rezones
• Everett Zoning Code Sec. 41.160 - Rezones
• Gig Harbor Municipal Code Ch. 17.100 - Amendments
• Kent City Code Sec. 15.09.050 - Amendments
• Lynnwood Municipal Code Ch. 21.22 - Reclassification
• Mill Creek Municipal Code Ch. 17.38 - Amendments and Development Agreements 
• Mukilteo Municipal Code Sec. 17.72.030 - Procedures
• SeaTac Zoning Code Sec. 15.22.050 - Zone Reclassification (Rezone)
• Stevens County Development Regulations Ch. 3.20 () - Decision Criteria - See Sec. 3.20.020
• Tacoma Municipal Code Sec. 13.06.650 () - Application for rezone of property
• Tumwater Municipal Code Ch. 18.60 - Text Amendments and Rezones
• Walla Walla Municipal Code Ch. 20.48 - Amendments
• Whatcom County Code Ch. 20.90 - Amendments

Public Information Handouts

• Camas Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Associated Rezone, ()
• Clallam County Rezones, Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Amendments
• Clark County Zone Change Type III Review () - Handout and application
• Seattle Rezones: Process and Application Requirements (), Client Assistance Memo 228
• Spokane Rezone Type III Application () - Description of process     
  
  
  

Related MRSC Resources
MRSC Index – Procedures for rezoning