Comprehensive Plan
Overview
The City’s Comprehensive Plan provides the overall long-term vision and policy direction to manage Vancouver’s built and natural environment over a 20-year planning horizon. Our community is expected to grow by 81,000 people between 2026 and 2045, which means we will need at least 38,000 more homes and 43,000 more jobs to help keep Vancouver livable and affordable for current and future residents. The Our Vancouver 2026-2045 Comprehensive Plan lays out how we will manage this future growth and development in a way that advances the community vision:
Community Vision Statement
“Vancouver is an equitable and prosperous community, which ensures that all residents, businesses and organizations benefit from the growth and advancement we make together.
Vancouver will be recognized for our quality of life, as evidenced by affordable housing in vibrant, safe and walkable neighborhoods, access to jobs and economic opportunity for all, and leading-edge efforts to address climate change.”
The City uses the Comprehensive Plan to inform budget priorities, capital investments, programming, and decisions around the use and regulation of land resources. The City is required by the State of Washington through the Growth Management Act (GMA) to develop a Comprehensive Plan and update it in accordance with Revised Code of Washington regulations. City Council adopted the Our Vancouver 2026-2045 Comprehensive Plan in conjunction with an updated zoning map and code (Title 20 of the Vancouver Municipal Code) on June 1, 2026. The Comprehensive Plan and zoning map and code were developed through a multi-year process that involved thousands of community members through more than 200 public meetings, workshops, outreach activities, and surveys.
The Comprehensive Plan is built upon the City’s existing plans, such as the Strategic Plan, Transportation System Plan, Climate Action Framework, Economic Development Strategy, and Urban Forestry Management Plan.
Plan Organization
The plan is organized into ten chapters. Each chapter includes a vision statement, a summary of relevant community feedback, and background information – followed by 2-6 goals and a series of policies that support each goal. In total, there are 163 policies identified in the Comprehensive Plan. Policies may relate to more than one goal across chapters, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the issues addressed in the plan. Most chapters end with a list of “key implementing actions” that the City intends to take over the short-term to achieve the goals in the Comprehensive Plan.
You can explore each of the plan chapters by clicking on their title or download the full Comprehensive Plan (PDF).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Comprehensive Plan?
The City of Vancouver’s Comprehensive Plan provides the overall long-term vision and policy direction to manage the built and natural environment in Vancouver and provide necessary public facilities to achieve our shared vision.
The Comprehensive Plan is required by the state through the Growth Management Act (GMA).
What is a Zoning Map and Zoning Code?
A major component of updating the Comprehensive Plan is updating the City’s Zoning Code and Zoning Map. It is one of the key tools that the City has to advance the goals in the Comprehensive Plan.
The Zoning Code is the set of City rules that determines how land can be used and developed. It generally groups those rules by where they apply, called zoning districts. A zoning map shows where the different zoning districts apply across the City.
On June 1, City Council adopted an updated zoning map for the City of Vancouver, which consolidated roughly 17 zoning districts into 10, and allowed for a variety of different types of housing products that were previously excluded, in response to state legislation like House Bill 1110 and Senate Bill 1220. This action affected every property in the City. Read more information on the zoning designation for a particular property.
In addition to the official zoning map changes, The City also updated it’s Title 20 Land Use and Development Code regulations to effectively implement the policy direction identified within the Comprehensive Plan. Read more information on the code.
What was the process for updating the Plan and Code? How was the public engaged?
Our Vancouver has been a multiyear process that took place from early 2023 to June 2026, where community members and the City of Vancouver worked together to update the City’s Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Map and Code. Read about how the plan was developed.
What are the key changes from the previous (2011) Comprehensive Plan?
The new Comprehensive Plan includes 10 chapters with associated goals, policies, and key implementation steps to support the overall community vision. It also includes a new Growth Concept and Comprehensive Plan Map. Key changes from the previous plan include:
- Housing and homelessness – It charts a path for how we can add at least 38,000 more homes and a greater variety of housing types to accommodate the housing needs of all community members over the next 20 years.
- Climate action – Added a Climate and Environment Chapter, which focuses on climate resilience and environmental sustainability.
- Vancouver for All – Added an Equity and Inclusion Chapter, which embeds equity into City decisions and investments. The plan also identifies racially disparate impacts resulting from previous land-use policy decisions, displacement risks and mitigation measures, and new policies and regulations to make Vancouver more inclusive of all community members.
What are the key changes in the zoning map and code?
The Zoning Map and zoning code are among the key tools the City has to advance the Comprehensive Plan’s goals. The zoning code’s 10 new zoning districts will replace the previous zoning districts. Each of the new zoning districts aligns with one of the four Plan Designations in the Comprehensive Plan Map. Key changes from the previous map and code include:
- More and a wider variety of housing is allowed across the city to support housing affordability and stability.
- This includes allowing “middle housing,” taller buildings, and higher densities. Duplexes to sixplexes, townhomes, and cottage clusters are examples of middle housing.
- Housing is focused around commercial services, parks, and schools, and where there is a variety of transportation options.
- More mixing of residential and commercial uses is allowed to support connected and accessible neighborhoods.
- Housing is now allowed in many commercial areas, and some commercial uses are now allowed in residential areas.
- Stronger tree preservation requirements to support tree canopy goals.
- Development will be required to preserve at least 1/3 of onsite trees that are in good condition and at least 12″ in diameter and to meet minimum tree density and tree coverage requirements based on the type of use.
- Removed minimum parking requirements to support more efficient use of land.
- This change does not prohibit parking—property owners can still typically build as much as they choose.
- Enhanced protections for existing manufactured home communities to help retain long-term affordability and prevent displacement of existing residents.
Does the Comprehensive Plan use eminent domain?
No. The plan affects zoning regulations only. Eminent domain requires fair compensation and public benefit.
What if changes are needed to the plan and code before 2045?
While the updated Plan establishes a vision through the year 2045, the Plan and Code can and will be updated sooner than that, allowing us to be flexible and adapt to future changes and outcomes. The Comprehensive Plan can be updated as frequently as once a year. A full review and update of the plan is required at least once every 10 years. The Zoning Code can be updated as often as appropriate. For more information, please visit the Changes to the Vancouver Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map/Code page.