Specific Plans Overview: Redmond vs Seattle
How do specific plans overview rules compare between Redmond, WA and Seattle, WA?
Redmond and Seattle have similar restriction levels.
Redmond, WA
King County
The King County Comprehensive Plan, mandated by the Washington Growth Management Act, guides land use through countywide policies and detailed community and subarea plans for unincorporated areas like Vashon-Maury Island and Snoqualmie Valley.
View full Redmond rules →Seattle, WA
King County
Seattle's Comprehensive Plan, last updated as 'Seattle 2035' and refreshed in the 2024 'One Seattle Plan,' channels growth into Urban Villages and Urban Centers. SMC Title 23 implements zoning consistent with the Plan.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Redmond | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| State authority | RCW 36.70A GMA | - |
| Implementing code | KCC Title 21A zoning | - |
| Subarea examples | Vashon, Snoqualmie Valley | - |
| Update cadence | Multi-year cycle | - |
| Plan name | - | One Seattle Plan |
| State law | - | RCW 36.70A |
| Urban Villages | - | 24 |
| Update cycle | - | 10 years |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Redmond FAQ
Do subarea plans override zoning?
No. Subarea plans guide policy and amendments, but day-to-day permits run through KCC Title 21A and related code titles.
How do I weigh in on plan updates?
King County publishes draft updates with public hearings and online comment periods. The Department of Local Services tracks engagement schedules for unincorporated areas.
Seattle FAQ
What is an Urban Village?
A designated growth area with higher density zoning, transit access, and infrastructure investment. Most new housing capacity is concentrated in these centers.
Did Seattle end single-family zoning?
The 2024 One Seattle Plan replaced most single-family zones with 'Neighborhood Residential' allowing duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes citywide, with density bonuses for affordability.
Compare other topics
See how Redmond and Seattle compare on other ordinance categories.
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