VISION 2040 encourages the use of innovative techniques, such as the transfer of development rights, to focus growth and protect rural and resource areas. Based on legislative requirements in House Bill 1636 (2007 session) and House Bill 1172 (2009 session), PSRC has participated in the development and implementation of a regional transfer of development rights program.

PSRC is a participating member of the Regional TDR Alliance—which includes King County, Kitsap County, Snohomish County, Pierce County, the State Department of Commerce, and Forterra (formerly the Cascade Land Conservancy). These stakeholders have worked to engage cities to participate in land conservation through transfer of development rights programs. The Regional TDR Alliance has been successful in securing a number of grants, including a “pass-through” grant for cities to work on TDR programs and interlocal agreements with their respective counties. Additional information on this grant and other TDR resources can be found on the Department of Commerce TDR website.

PSRC Executive Board Adopts Regional TDR Allocations Under the Landscape Conservation and Local Infrastructure Program.

The Landscape Conservation and Local Infrastructure Program (RCW 39.108) was enacted into law during the 2011 session of the Washington State legislature. This program provides a new voluntary infrastructure financing tool for eligible cities that is predicated upon accepting transferable development rights (TDRs) from county-designated natural resource and rural lands. For the past year, the Puget Sound Regional Council has worked with eligible counties and cities to identify the total number of development rights available on eligible lands and to develop a methodology for allocating them to eligible cities. At its March 22, 2012 meeting, the Executive Board of the Puget Sound Regional Council adopted the Regional Allocation of Transferable Development Rights.