The Growth Management Act (GMA) emphasizes intergovernmental coordination and consistency. The PSRC process for reviewing various policies and plans is designed to further regional coordination and to satisfy requirements in the GMA to certify countywide planning policies and the transportation-related provisions in local comprehensive plans.

Certification is a requirement for jurisdictions and agencies that intend to apply for PSRC funding.

Plan Review Resource Materials

A set of materials, compiled in a Plan Review Manual, provides both general and detailed guidance for the development of amendments and updates to countywide planning policies, local comprehensive plans, regional growth center subarea plans, and transit plans. It describes how each of these types of plans should address VISION 2040, Destination 2030, specific requirements in the GMA, and provisions for designated regional centers. The manual also serves as tool for the PSRC’s review of policies and plans developed in the Puget Sound region. Note: While the Manual covers all facets of countywide, local and transit agency planning, users only need to use those sections most relevant to their specific type of plan.

Status Report

PSRC maintains a status report that provides up-to-date information on when each jurisdiction was last certified.

In September 2003, the Executive Board adopted the revised Policy and Plan Review Process. That process is also addressed in VISION 2040’s Implementation section (Part IV).