Official website of the
City of Vancouver, Washington

Comprehensive Plan for Vancouver

The Vancouver Comprehensive Plan 2003-2023 is the long-term vision and plan for managing the built and natural environment in the City of Vancouver. It includes policy direction for community development, housing, economic development, environmentally sensitive areas, public services, annexation, and related issues. The Comprehensive Plan also includes a map designating the general types of development allowed on properties, which is then implemented in more detail by the Vancouver zoning map. The policies of the Comprehensive Plan are also implemented through subarea plans, Vancouver Municipal Code requirements, and other local standards. The current Vancouver Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the Vancouver City Council in 2004, and updated with minor changes in the years following.

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Current Documents

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Vancouver Comprehensive Plan 2003-2023, as adopted in 2004 (10.5 mb)

Vancouver Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map Designations

Vancouver Comprehensive Plan amendments, 2004 to present

Vancouver Plan Monitoring Report (2007)

2011 Comprehensive Plan Update

City staff has began working with the community to update portions of the Vancouver Comprehensive Plan and implementing standards by the end of 2011. Key tasks include:

• Promoting connected and sustainable communities by working with neighborhoods to identify local conditions and preferences for commercial activities, public facilities or other destinations; local transportation connections; interest in housing and home business options; and interest in resource or energy efficiencies. From this and other input, new policies, codes or program updates will be identified for consideration.
• Reviewing map designation change requests from individual properties. These were formerly evaluated yearly through the Annual Review program.
• Updating maps and associated long-term growth estimates to reflect current city limits and Vancouver Urban Growth Area (UGA) boundaries.
• Updating urban center and corridor policies and maps for the purpose of future subarea planning. These subarea plans will focus new growth or redevelopment in important nodes in Vancouver where it can be best accommodated.
• Updating transportation policies and standards. City concurrency standards, which guide how roads and intersections are improved once they reach certain levels of congestion, will be reviewed (particularly high growth areas) to better align with City funding.
• Updating Comprehensive Plan text to better monitor ongoing implementation.
• Identifying non-conforming uses in residential areas, which typically include duplexes or medical offices or assisted living homes which were established before current zoning standards. Standards applying to these may be updated where appropriate.

For questions, suggestions or concerns regarding the Vancouver Comprehensive Plan or the 2011 Update, contact Bryan Snodgrass, Vancouver Community Development Department, bryan.snodgrass@ci.vancouver.wa.us 360-487-7946