Comprehensive Plan
What is the Comprehensive Plan?
The Covington Comprehensive Plan is the City's official long-range guide for growth, development and change over the next two decades. Public input was strongly encouraged during the preparation of the Plan and extensive discussion took place in meetings and work sessions before the Planning Commission and City Council, leading to Council adoption in September 2001. Check out the Comprehensive Plan Update for more information. The Comprehensive Plan was updated in December 2003 and amended in December 2005 to include the Downtown Element. Hard copies of this document are available at the Permit Center in City Hall and at the Covington Library.

What does the Plan consist of?
The Comprehensive Plan includes text, a Future Land Use Plan map and the 20-year Capital Facilities Plan.

The text of the plan includes an Introduction that describes and highlights the various planning enabling legislation that is the basis for planning in Washington cities and counties. It is followed by the various elements: Land Use, Housing, Downtown, Transportation, Parks and Community Services, Environment, Surface Water Resource, Utilities, Capital Facilities and Natural Hazard Mitigation. There are currently 10 elements in all that provide the goals and guidelines that direct future growth consistent with the City of Covington' Vision. The ten "elements" or chapters include specific information about the community and its residents, set levels of service standards, and provide policy guidance. A new Economic Development element is proposed to be added to the Comprehensive Plan in 2009.

Updating the Comprehensive Plan
On September 1, 2001, the Covington City Council adopted the City's first city-wide Comprehensive Plan. In 2004, a number of proposed amendments to the plan were reviewed by the Planning Commission and transmitted to the City Council for consideration in December of 2004. In the spring of 2005 the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Downtown Plan Element was issued, the final EIS was published in the summer of 2005, and public hearings by the Planning Commission were held in the fall. The City Council adopted the Downtown Plan Element amendment on December 13, 2005.

Any citizen or organization wishing to suggest other amendments to the Plan must submit a proposal as part of the annual "docketing" process. The deadline for proposed amendments is usually in mid- to late-January. Through this process, the City will determine which, if any, of the proposed amendments will be "docketed" or placed on the Planning Commission's work schedule for the year.

How and why is the Plan amended?
Since the Plan looks twenty years into the future, it needs to be revised and updated periodically to keep it current and to incorporate changes in trends and community interests. According to the City of Covington Municipal Code (CMC 14.25.020), amendments may be proposed no more frequently than once a year (with certain exceptions for emergencies, etc.) so that all proposed amendments may be considered during the same time period.

How can I participate?
Instructions on how to propose an amendment and a formal application form are available on the City website at www.ci.covington.wa.us, in the "Forms and Downloads" section, under the "Comprehensive Plan Info. and Forms" category. Information is also available at City Hall at 16720 SE 271st St., Suite 100, or by contacting Planning Manager Richard Hart at 253-638-1110, ext. 2226 or rhart@ci.covington.wa.us.

Development Regulations
The Development Regulations include the City's Zoning Code and Land Use Regulations within the Covington Municipal Code. Hard copies of this document are available at the Permit Center in City Hall and at the Covington Library. The City regularly updates the Development Regulations.

Development Regulation Amendment Application (PDF format, 19 KB) and Instruction Sheet (PDF format, 21 KB)

Maps
Zoning Map (PDF format, 4,506 KB)

Private Development
Comprehensive Plan
Construction Inspections

FAQ
How do I find out the zoning for my property?
The City of Covington Zoning Map is available online in PDF format (4,506 KB).

How may I find out more about my property?
You may access parcel information from the King County website. More information is available at http://www.metrokc.gov/ddes/property.htm.

Public Participation
Covington Municipal Code 14.25 and 14.30

City Profile
Land Use Element
Housing Element

Planning Commission
Agendas, Minutes, Membership lists