2025 Comprehensive Plan Update
The State of Washington requires cities, who 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 ten (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 Comp Plan Update email list? Click here.
Public Engagement
City/County Elected Officials Meeting – Growth Management Coordination on December 4, 2024, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, at Ferndale City Hall Annex (5694 Second Avenue) or via TEAMS.
Transportation Survey: To understand what challenges users of the transportation system face and identify potential ways to improve conditions, we invite you to participate in this 10-minute transportation focused survey.
WWU Survey: 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. Click here to fill out a 10-minute survey to provide feedback for the future development and growth of Ferndale. To find out more about their part, please visit their website. Continue to check back for updates and future open houses.
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.
Continue to check back for future meetings and other ways to engage.
- Whatcom County Planning Commission (November 14, 2024): Population and Employment Projections.
- City of Ferndale Meeting (November 14, 2024): Critical Areas and Application Procedures.
- City of Ferndale Council Meeting (October 21, 2024): 2025 Transportation Element Kickoff – Transpo Group. This discussion begins at 00:03:58.
- City of Ferndale Planning Commission (October 16, 2024): Transportation Element (Transpo Presentation). This discussion begins at 0:26:35.
- City/County Elected Officials Meeting – Growth Management Coordination (September 11, 2024).
- Workshop for Elected Officials – Growth Management Coordination (August 29, 2024)
- City of Ferndale Council Meeting (July 15, 2024): 2025 Comprehensive Plan Overview – Part 2. This discussion begins at 0:30:11.
- City of Ferndale Council Meeting (June 17, 2024): 2025 Comprehensive Plan Overview – Part 1. This discussion begins at 0:48:47.
- City of Ferndale Council Meeting (May 20, 2024): Comprehensive Plan Population Projections. This discussion begins at 1:40:20.
- Whatcom County Planning Commission Meeting (May 9, 2024): Public Participation Plan, and Population and Employment Projections and Allocations. The discussion begins at 0:11:05.
- City of Ferndale Council Meeting (May 6, 2024): Public Participation Plan. This discussion begins at 2:06:31.
2025 Periodic Comprehensive Plan Update
Introduction
Land Use
- Land Capacity Analysis
Housing
- Population and Housing Allocations/Housing Element
Transportation
- Transportation Analysis
Utilities
Capital Facilities
- Parks, Recreation, and Trails Master Plan
2025 Development Regulations Update
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
- Application Procedures (FMC 14.07) – DRAFT
- Critical Areas (FMC 16.08) – DRAFT
- SEPA Environmental Analysis
Find more information about the update on the Whatcom County website.