Urban Growth Capacity Study

As a part of the regional planning process, King County Growth Management Planning Council is leading an effort to update the Urban Growth Capacity Study. The study analyzes the growth and development that has occured in King County over the last 10 years. It will also estimate the capacity for additional growth going forward. The study is intended to support growth management and comprehensive planning through review and evaluation. In support of required updates to local Comprehensive Plans in 2023, the study is due to the Department of Commerce in June 2021. King County jurisdictions are completing this effort in advance of this deadline to allow more time to incorporate findings from the Urban Growth Capacity Study in their comprehensive plans.

Each jurisdiction in King County must submit data to assist with Urban Growth Capacity analysis. Last month, the City of Mercer Island submitted the first piece of this data, an analysis of the growth, new development and overall density of the island. You can review the data the city submitted here:

Urban Growth Capacity Report - Part 1

City staff are now working to prepare the next piece of data, an analysis of the existing zoned capacity for additional development. Staff are working to estimate how many additional units could feasibly be constructed in the future under existing zoning and development regulations. This data analysis will be completed in the coming months and submitted to King County.