What are urban growth areas (UGAs)?
Urban growth areas are those areas, designated by counties pursuant to RCW 36. 70A.110, “within which urban growth shall be encouraged and outside of which growth can occur only if it is not urban in nature.” Within these UGAs, growth will be encouraged and supported with adequate facilities. Areas outside of the UGAs will be reserved for primarily rural and resource uses. • How are urban growth areas established? RCW 36.70A.110, enacted as part of the GMA, indicates that urban growth areas are to be “[b]ased upon the population forecast made for the county by the Office of Financial Management.” OFM is to prepare a reasonable range for its population projections for counties, with the middle range representing the most likely population projection for the county. The county is the body that designates UGAs, and the statute mandates that the county must consult with cities in an attempt to reach agreement on the location of these urban growth areas. • Must counties meet with cities bef
