Nonproject actions exempt from requirements of chapter.
RCW 43.21C.450
in effectThe following nonproject actions are categorically exempt from the requirements of this chapter: (1) Amendments to development regulations that are required to ensure consistency with an adopted comprehensive plan pursuant to RCW 36.70A.040 , where the comprehensive plan was previously subjected to environmental review pursuant to this chapter and the impacts associated with the proposed regulation were specifically addressed in the prior environmental review; (2) Amendments to development regulations that are required to ensure consistency with a shoreline master program approved pursuant to RCW 90.58.090 , where the shoreline master program was previously subjected to environmental review pursuant to this chapter and the impacts associated with the proposed regulation were specifically addressed in the prior environmental review; (3) Amendments to development regulations that, upon implementation of a project action, will provide increased environmental protection, limited to the following: (a) Increased protections for critical areas, such as enhanced buffers or setbacks; (b) Increased vegetation retention or decreased impervious surface areas in shoreline jurisdiction; and (c) Increased vegetation retention or decreased impervious surface areas in critical areas; (4) Amendments to technical codes adopted by a county, city, or town to ensure consistency with minimum standards contained in state law, including the following: (a) Building codes required by chapter 19.27 RCW; (b) Energy codes required by chapter 19.27A RCW; and (c) Electrical codes required by chapter 19.28 RCW; (5) Adoption or amendment of ordinances, development regulations, zoning regulations, and other official controls necessary to comply with RCW 35A.21.440 and 35.21.990 ; (6) Amendments to development regulations to remove requirements for parking from development proposed to fill in an urban growth area designated according to RCW 36.70A.110 .
The following nonproject actions are categorically exempt from the requirements of this chapter:
(1) Amendments to development regulations that are required to ensure consistency with an adopted comprehensive plan pursuant to RCW 36.70A.040 , where the comprehensive plan was previously subjected to environmental review pursuant to this chapter and the impacts associated with the proposed regulation were specifically addressed in the prior environmental review;
(2) Amendments to development regulations that are required to ensure consistency with a shoreline master program approved pursuant to RCW 90.58.090 , where the shoreline master program was previously subjected to environmental review pursuant to this chapter and the impacts associated with the proposed regulation were specifically addressed in the prior environmental review;
(3) Amendments to development regulations that, upon implementation of a project action, will provide increased environmental protection, limited to the following:
(a) Increased protections for critical areas, such as enhanced buffers or setbacks;
(b) Increased vegetation retention or decreased impervious surface areas in shoreline jurisdiction; and
(c) Increased vegetation retention or decreased impervious surface areas in critical areas;
(4) Amendments to technical codes adopted by a county, city, or town to ensure consistency with minimum standards contained in state law, including the following:
(a) Building codes required by chapter 19.27 RCW;
(b) Energy codes required by chapter 19.27A RCW; and
(c) Electrical codes required by chapter 19.28 RCW;
(5) Adoption or amendment of ordinances, development regulations, zoning regulations, and other official controls necessary to comply with RCW 35A.21.440 and 35.21.990 ;
(6) Amendments to development regulations to remove requirements for parking from development proposed to fill in an urban growth area designated according to RCW 36.70A.110 .
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.21C&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026