Changes to the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map/Code
The City regularly updates its Comprehensive Plan and zoning map and code (Title 20, Land Use and Development Code, of the Vancouver Municipal Code). Members of the public can also apply for changes to the Comprehensive Plan and zoning map and code.
Changes, or “amendments,” allow us to be flexible and adapt to future conditions. The purpose of this page is to summarize the types of amendments and process for initiating them.
Background
The Comprehensive Plan includes broad goals and policies that guide the city’s long-term growth and development. It also includes a map of Comprehensive Plan Designations, which covers all properties citywide and provides the broad framework for where different types of land uses and development can go.
The zoning code is the more specific set of City regulations that determine how property owners can use and develop their land in Vancouver, such as allowed uses, height limits, and setbacks. The zoning map shows the zoning districts where these regulations apply.
To see the current Comprehensive Plan designation and zoning district for a property, look up the property using the Clark County Assessor’s MapsOnline. Click the “Find Parcel” tab, enter the property information, and click “Find.” Then, click on the “Property Information Center” link to view the property’s current Comprehensive Plan and zoning designation under “Administrative Data.”
Each Comprehensive Plan Designation in the Comprehensive Plan map is implemented through two or three associated zoning districts. See table below.
| Comprehensive plan designation | associated zoning districts |
|---|---|
| Residential Neighborhoods | Low-Scale Neighborhood Medium-Scale Neighborhood Manufactured Home Park |
| Urban Mixed Use | Mixed-Use Neighborhood Regional Activity Center |
| Employment and Industry | Institutional/Campus Industrial/Employment Heavy Industrial |
| Green Space | Parks Natural Areas |
Vancouver Municipal Code (VMC) Chapter 20.285 describes the process and approval criteria for amending the Comprehensive Plan and zoning code. Amendments generally require public hearings before the City of Vancouver Planning Commission and then City Council, who votes to approve or deny the amendment.
Types of Amendments
Both the City and private parties can initiate amendments. There are generally four types of amendments:
- Changing the zoning district of a property to a zoning district that falls within a different Comprehensive Plan Designation is a map change and requires a Comprehensive Plan map and concurrent zoning map amendment.
- For example, changing from Medium-Scale Neighborhood to Mixed-Use Neighborhood. See table above.
- Changing the zoning district of a property to a zoning district that falls within the same Comprehensive Plan Designation is a map change and requires a standalone zoning map amendment.
- For example, changing from Low-Scale Neighborhood to Medium-Scale Neighborhood. See table above.
- Changing policies or other written portions of the Comprehensive Plan requires a Comprehensive Plan text amendment.
- Changing the regulations in the zoning code requires a zoning code text amendment.
Apply for an Amendment
The City reviews all privately-initiated amendments to the Comprehensive Plan concurrently through the Annual Review Program, as required by state law. The 2027 Annual Review Program will also consider proposed standalone zoning map amendments.
The Annual Review Program involves the following steps:
- Submit a pre-application conference request form
- Submit application, fees, and required materials
- Staff review
- Planning Commission workshop and hearing
- City Council workshop and hearing
More information about the 2027 Annual Review Program will be available in late 2026. To receive updates about the Annual Review Program, sign-up for the Our Vancouver email list.
Additional Plan and Code Updates
In addition to the Annual Review Program, the City also makes the following updates:
- Full Comprehensive Plan and zoning code update with new 20-year growth forecasts – Every 10 years
- As required by the State of Washington, the City updates the Comprehensive Plan’s long-term population and employment growth forecasts and associated land supplies every ten years. These are more major updates that involve public engagement in addition to public hearings.
- Review of existing Comprehensive Plan and zoning code – At least once every 5 years
- As required by the State, the City reviews the existing Comprehensive Plan and makes necessary amendments every five years. These are less significant updates that involve public input through public hearings.
- Minor updates – Annually
- The City does an annual zoning code and Comprehensive Plan “clean up,” which is typically bundled with the Annual Review Program. These text amendments include minor, non-urgent updates and corrections.
- At any time
- The City can bring forward standalone zoning amendments and certain types of Comprehensive Plan amendments at any time. These amendments are typically driven by direction from City Council or by changes to state law.