Planning
The Planning Division is responsible for development and enforcement of the City’s land use policies and regulations, including the Comprehensive Plan, zoning, shoreline management, and environmental ordinances, review and processing of all land use and subdivision permit applications. The Division is directed by Chip Vincent, CED Administrator/Planning Director (425.430.6588) and maintains three sections: Long Range Planning, Current Planning, and Property & Technical Services.
Long Range Planning
The Long Range Planning section provides long-range land-use planning for the Renton community, including developing, updating, managing, and implementing the City's Comprehensive Plan, establishing the zoning framework for development within the City, and ensuring compliance with the Growth Management Act (GMA). The Long Range Planning section also analyzes policy issues; provides State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review on legislative actions; prepares zoning, development, and environmental ordinances; processes annexation proposals; and creates strategies for community redevelopment.
With the assistance of the Planning Commission, the Department has been instrumental in establishing plans and zoning modifications to support economic development and revitalization efforts, including:
- Utilizing the Comprehensive Plan and zoning to support downtown redevelopment to create a pedestrian-oriented area with regional transportation connections and a mix of residential, office, retail and entertainment opportunities within walking distance of each other
- Establishing Comprehensive Plan amendments to designate the 140-acre Highlands study area as the first step in the creation of an urban village to support mixed-use urban redevelopment and a pedestrian-scale environment
Recent Strategic Planning Topics include:
Comprehensive Plan Update
Comprehensive Plan
Zoning Code Amendments
Community Planning
Shoreline Master Program Update
Annexation
For more information regarding long-range planning or major land-use changes, call 425.430.6575.
Current Planning
The Current Planning section ensures quality land development through the effective administration of local, state, and federal land use regulations. Current Planning reviews both private and public land use applications in conjunction with the City's Zoning and Development Regulations, Subdivision Code, Critical Areas Regulations, Shoreline Master Program, and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).
The Current Planning section is assisted by a Hearing Examiner. The Hearing Examiner conducts public hearings to review and either approve or deny certain land use permit applications. In some cases (such as rezones and preliminary plats), the Hearing Examiner makes a recommendation to the City Council. Similarly, the Planning Director has the authority to approve or deny certain land use permit applications (such as short plats, variances, and boundary line adjustments).
For information about zoning, subdivision, or land use applications, please contact Current Planning at 425.430.7200 or email us by clicking here.
For information regarding Administrative Policy/Code Interpretations, please click here.
For information regarding the Current Planning section, please email Jennifer Henning, Current Planning Manager, or call 425.430.7286.
Property & Technical Services
The Property & Technical Services section provides and supports a variety of mapping data and land surveying activities across the enterprise. Specifically, these include the development and maintenance of the City’s survey control network, review of land surveys and subdivision documents to assure conformance with City and State requirements and protection of the public’s interests, review and prepare legal descriptions for various property related activities, right of way and property acquisition and disposal, releases of easement and street vacation processing, review and determination of utility development fees, establishment and maintenance of property and land related databases, applications and maps.
For information and assistance the Property & Technical Services section, please email Robert Mac Onie, PLS, Mapping Coordinator, or call 425.430.7369.
Frequently Requested Planning Maps, Forms, and Information
Comprehensive Plan Map
Zoning Map
Renton Municipal Code Development Regulations (Title IV)
Hearing Examiner Reports
Land Use Permit Application Forms
Land Use Application Terms
Land Use Permit Process Time Lines
Sensitive Areas Maps