The urban growth area is the city / town and adjacent unincorporated growth area identified by the cities / towns / county to receive urban growth in the future. Outside of the boundary only rural growth is permissible.

In Thurston County, the process for changing the urban growth boundaries is found in the county-wide planning policies. These policies are an agreement between the cities, towns, and county on how they will work together on planning issues.

The process is as follows:

• Cities and towns will confer with the county about boundary location or amendment,
• Proposed boundaries are presented to the UGM subcommittee of Thurston Regional Planning Council, which makes a recommendation directly to the Board of County Commissioners,
• Following a public hearing, the Board of County Commissioners designates the boundaries and justifies its decision in writing,
• Cities and towns not in agreement with the boundary designation may request mediation through the State Department of Community Development, and
• At least every 10 years, growth boundaries will be reviewed based on updated 20 year population projections.