Title
Proposed Scope of Development Code Updates to Implement the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan Climate Element Review
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Review proposed scope of development code updates to implement the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan Climate Element.
Report
Issue:
Review proposed scope of development code updates to implement the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan Climate Element.
Staff Contact:
Natalie Weiss, Climate Resilience Coordinator, City Manager’s Office, Climate Program, 360.570.5828
Presenter(s):
Natalie Weiss, Climate Resilience Coordinator
Pamela Braff, PhD, Director of Climate Programs
Background and Analysis:
Climate Planning Requirements
The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) (RCW 36.70A) guides and directs local government planning in WA. It requires cities and counties to adopt and update a comprehensive plan every 10 years, to accommodate 20 years of growth. The Comprehensive Plan also establishes the primary goals and policies that guide all City actions. Planning for climate change and resiliency was added as the 14th goal to the GMA in 2023, by adoption of House Bill 1181 (Chapter 228, Laws of 2023).
The Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan, adopted in December 2025, includes the City’s first Climate Action & Resilience chapter. The chapter addresses both climate mitigation (the reduction of greenhouse gases) and resiliency (the ability to adapt to our changing climate). The chapter’s overarching goals are to:
• Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• Reduce vehicle miles traveled.
• Improve climate preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.
• Maximize co-benefits and prioritize environmental justice in the development of policies/programs to achieve these goals.
The Climate Chapter and supporting implementation plan outline the goals, policies, and actions the City expects to implement over the next 20 years to reduce GHG emissions and strengthen climate resilience, as required under the GMA.
Climate Development Code Updates
In June 2026, the City was awarded a Climate Planning Grant from WA State Department of Commerce to prepare development code updates to implement the adopted climate chapter. In collaboration with the project consultant (BHC Consultants), staff identified 10 focus areas for potential code updates to implement the climate chapter. These include:
1. Establish specific hazard area overlays and corresponding risk reduction strategies.
2. Update the Sea Level Rise Flood Risk Reduction Ordinance (OMC Chapter 16.80) to incorporate updated sea level rise projections.
3. Establish Firewise standards for developments, buildings, and landscapes in areas with greater wildfire or ignition risk.
4. Encourage solar energy and address barriers to solar installation, permitting, and siting.
5. Encourage Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and address barriers to installation, permitting, and siting.
6. Establish subdivision layout and roof orientation standards that support solar viability.
7. Establish passive survivability standards in new construction.
8. Address barriers and encourage adaptive reuse of existing buildings.
9. Address barriers and encourage the use of salvaged materials and low-carbon materials in new construction.
10. Improve short-term and long-term bicycle parking requirements, including considerations for e-bike parking and charging.
During the briefing, staff will present the proposed scope of work and schedule for review and feedback from the Committee.
After the scope of potential code updates is finalized, staff will work with the consultant team to analyze current code requirements and identify ways to address barriers and encourage action within these focus areas. We expect to begin stakeholder engagement in early 2027 and finalize proposed code updates by June 2027, in alignment with the grant timeline. Proposed code amendments will be brought forward for LUEC and City Council consideration after the grant concludes.
Climate Analysis:
Where and how we build impacts our greenhouse gas emissions and ability to adapt to extreme weather events. The project will ensure that Olympia’s development code reflects the intent of the Climate Element in the Comprehensive Plan, including but not limited to: applying risk reduction strategies for climate-exacerbated hazards, encouraging renewable energy generation and storage, facilitating better access to biking, and creating climate-smart buildings through adaptive reuse and low-carbon materials. These policies are prominent and integrated throughout the adopted Climate Chapter.
Equity Analysis:
Climate change affects everyone. However, some people and communities in Olympia (sometimes referred to as frontline communities) will experience greater impacts due to their age, race, gender, health, where they live, or what they do for work. Prioritizing environmental justice and maximizing co-benefits for frontline communities is a key goal of the Climate Chapter and its implementation.
Equity has been incorporated throughout the Climate Chapter goals and policies, and staff prioritized outreach to frontline communities to the greatest extent feasible throughout the update process. As staff develop code updates, the consultant team will analyze potential benefits, impacts, and unintended consequences of different options.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There is considerable community interest in climate action (including greenhouse gas emissions reduction and resilience). Staff will conduct stakeholder engagement in early 2027 and incorporate community feedback in the final recommendations.
Financial Impact:
The Development Code Updates for Climate Element Implementation is funded by a $200,000 Climate Planning grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce. The grant funds will be used for consulting services and staff time to propose recommendations to the development code that align with the adopted Climate Element.
Options:
1. Review proposed scope of development code updates to implement the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan Climate Element.
2. Do not Review proposed scope of development code updates to implement the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan Climate Element.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
None