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Dec
22

How to take part in subarea planning

Each subarea plan…

  • Establishes a vision, goals, and policies to guide development decisions in one of King County’s 6 rural Community Service Areas or 5 urban Potential Annexation Areas.
  • Is guided by the community’s interests and available funding, using tools and resources developed by the county’s Office of Equity, Racial, and Social Justice.
  • Is created in partnership with their communities and adopted by the King County Council, becoming part of the King County Comprehensive Plan and the King County Code.

Community needs lists

As each community service area subarea plan is developed, we share community desires for future King County services, programs, facilities, and capital improvements in a community needs list. This helps during King County’s budget updates.

Subarea planning and community needs list (503KB)

When to participate

King County staff members collaborate with each community beginning in July of the first year and ending in June two years later, when the King County Executive transmits the recommended subarea plan to the King County Council. The council reviews the recommended plan and offers more opportunities for community input before adopting the plan at the end of June. The complete planning process takes three years from start to adoption.

Subarea planning schedule

A list of when we expect to work with your community on planning.

  • Snoqualmie Valley/NE King Community Service Area – planning is underway; adoption is expected in December 2024.
  • Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Community Service Area – planning 2024-2025, adoption June 2026
  • Fairwood Potential Annexation Area – planning 2024-2026, adoption June 2027
  • Bear Creek/Sammamish Community Service Area – planning 2025-2027, adoption June 2028
  • Southeast King County Community Service Area – planning 2026-2028, adoption June 2029
  • Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain Community Service Area – planning 2027-2029, adoption June 2030
  • East Renton Potential Annexation Area – planning 2028-2030, adoption June 2031
  • Federal Way Potential Annexation Area – planning 2029-2031, adoption June 2032
  • Vashon-Maury island Community Service Area – plan adopted in 2017 and amended in 2020. Next planning period to be determined.
  • Skyway/West Hill – plan adopted in 2022. Next planning period to be determined.
  • North Highline – plan adopted in 2022. Next planning period to be determined.
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