Washington Seeks Public Input on New Transit-Oriented Development Guidebook

Washington Seeks Public Input on New Transit-Oriented Development Guidebook

Washington communities are being asked to weigh in on new state guidance that could shape how cities plan housing, businesses, transportation, and other development near major transit stations. The Washington State Department of Commerce has released a draft Transit-Oriented Development Guidebook and is accepting public comments through September 30, 2026.

Transit-oriented development, often called TOD, focuses on creating communities where housing, jobs, services, and businesses are located near major public transportation hubs. Under Washington law, certain cities must update their land use rules around light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit stations. The new Commerce guidebook is intended to help those cities understand and implement these requirements.

The requirements currently apply to Spokane and Vancouver, as well as to certain cities in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties that have qualifying rail or bus rapid transit stations. Counties are not required to establish station-area plans, though they may choose to participate. Federally recognized tribes may also choose to participate in a city's planning process.

The draft guidebook covers several aspects of the planning process. It explains how cities can define transit station areas, assess current development conditions, and update local development codes. It also provides guidance on permitting, impact fees, infrastructure funding, and methods for measuring the effectiveness of transit-oriented development policies. Other sections address community involvement, transportation choices, development design, and strategies to reduce displacement.

For businesses, developers, property owners, and employers, these policies are worth watching because changes to land-use and development rules can influence where housing and commercial development occur, which types of projects can be built, and how quickly projects move through local permitting systems. Transit-oriented development can also affect employees' access to jobs, transportation options, neighborhood growth, infrastructure needs, and future private investment.

Commerce will host a webinar on the draft guidebook at 1:30 p.m. on September 10, 2026. Public comments on the draft must be submitted by September 30. This webinar offers businesses, developers, local governments, community organizations, and other interested parties an opportunity to review the proposed guidance before it is finalized.

As Washington continues to address housing supply, transportation, and community growth, decisions about development near major transit corridors could have long-term effects on local economies. Even businesses outside the communities currently covered by the requirements may want to follow the process, since transit-oriented development policies could influence future conversations about growth and land use in other parts of the state.

Readers interested in the complete proposal, the draft guidebook, webinar details, or the public comment process can review the original Washington State Department of Commerce announcement at: Public Comment Opportunity: Draft Transit-Oriented Development Guidebook