2025 Comprehensive Plan Update

2025 Comprehensive Plan Banner (PNG)

The State of Washington requires cities that plan under the Growth Management Act (GMA) to regularly update their comprehensive plans and development regulations. This process is called a periodic update process, and each jurisdiction is required to complete these updates every 10 years. This process ensures that the City’s comprehensive plan is coordinated with state laws and that we are implementing the Growth Management Act consistent with other cities in the state. The City of Ferndale is currently within a periodic update process and is expected to adopt revisions to the comprehensive plan and development code by December of 2025.

Do you have a public comment, or want to be added to the Comp Plan Update email list? 

Click here to email Ferndale Public Comment.

Public Engagement

Planning Commission - January 28th

The City of Ferndale Planning Commission will hold a meeting to continue deliberation on the proposed rezones, both in the City limits and the UGA, in relation to the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update. The public hearing was closed on January 14th; therefore, no public testimony on this topic will be taken at this meeting. 

The Planning Commission will also convene a work session to discuss the Climate Element and Transportation Element drafts of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update.

The meeting will be held at the City Hall Annex Building, 5694 Second Avenue, Ferndale on Wednesday, January 28th at 6:00 PM. For virtual access, click here. To view the agenda and exhibits click here.

Proposed Rezones

To meet the requirements of the comprehensive plan update and HB 1220, City staff have proposed rezones to some areas of Ferndale, both in City limits and in the Urban Growth Area (UGA). Any changes to zoning for properties within City limits will take place when the comprehensive plan is adopted, and changes to zoning for properties in the City’s UGA will take place when they are annexed into the City. 

The Ferndale Planning Commission held a public hearing on January 14th regarding the proposed rezones, and continued deliberation on January 28th, in which the Ferndale Planning Commission accept staff’s recommendations and formally recommend to the Ferndale City Council the adoption of the proposed amendments contained within the below maps, including amendments as discussed to the Church and Main Area map.

Climate Element

The City of Ferndale is developing local climate policies. Per state requirements, as part of our comprehensive plan update, we are developing a Climate Element to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build community resilience. Visit the Climate Planning webpage for more information here. The website is also available in Spanish. El sitio web también está disponible en español.

City staff, along with Maul Foster & Alongi, hosted a meeting to discuss this new element. Click here to view the recording of the meeting.

Draft Climate Element

The WA Department of Commerce climate planning grant is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.

WWU Partnership

The City of Ferndale has partnered with Western Washington University’s Urban Planning Studio to engage with the community for the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update during the 24/25 academic year.

Grandview Economic Opportunity Study

The City of Ferndale, in partnership with the Port of Bellingham, is conducting a study to assess the economic benefits to utility ratepayers for funding utility improvements in the Grandview Area. The goal of the City of Ferndale and the Port of Bellingham is to encourage development that will bring the greatest economic benefits to Ferndale and Whatcom County.

Development Code Amendments

The City of Ferndale City Council held a public hearing for the development code amendments on Monday, November 17, 2025.To view the drafted code amendments, click here.

Continue to check back for future meetings and other ways to engage.

Past Meetings

Public Comments


Participation Plans

  1. City of Ferndale Public Participation Plan
  2. Whatcom County Public Participation Plan

2025 Periodic Comprehensive Plan Update

Introduction

Land Use Element

Land Capacity Analysis

Housing Element

Transportation Element

Utilities Element

Capital Facilities

Parks, Recreation, and Trails Master Plan

Climate Element

Check out the Climate Planning in Ferndale.

This is a new required element for comprehensive plans and a new goal of the Growth Management Act (HB 1181). View the Growth Management Act - HB 1181. Designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, plan for resiliency, and support environmental justice. Climate elements must maximize economic, environmental, and social co-benefits and prioritize environmental justice in order to avoid worsening environmental health disparities.

Climate Element Presentation (October 30, 2025) - PowerPoint

Completed Work

Climate Policy Advisory Team (CPAT)

Find more information about the update on the Whatcom County website. Continue to check back regularly for more information and updates.