Comprehensive Plan Amendments

Sumner’s Comprehensive Plan lays out the community’s vision for how we will live, work, get around, and grow over the next 20 years. The Plan contains goals, policies and maps that identify environmental, social, and economic priorities for the future. The various chapters address land use, housing, transportation, and capital facilities. State law only allows the comprehensive plan to be amended once a year with major updates coming every 10 years. This year the City is opening the Plan for community discussion and potential revisions. These revisions may also include changes to the the city's zoning. Zoning within the City controls where commercial, housing, and industry can be located. A major aspect of this year’s amendments is to update the East Sumner Neighborhood Plan, generally the area within a few blocks of the YMCA.

March-April 2021 update

  • The City Council held three study sessions and a public hearing on the 2020 Comprehensive Plan Update proposals, and is tentatively scheduled to take action on May 17, 2021.
  • Proposals before the Council for final action include:
    • 2020 Comprehensive Plan policies/text
    • Individual property rezones
    • Minor "housekeeping" updates to Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code
    • Minor updates to critical areas (wetlands) regulations
    • East Sumner Neighborhood Plan Update
    • East Sumner Neighborhood zoning (revised to remove Resource Protection in central wetlands area)
    • East Sumner Planned Action Ordinance
    • Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.
    • Documents are available in the Documents Library on the right.
    • East Sumner Neighborhood documents are located on the East Sumner web page at: https://connects.sumnerwa.gov/east-sumner-neighborhood-plan.

January-February 2021 update

  • The Planning Commission completed its review of the 2020 proposals, and voted to recommend approval to the City Council
  • A Public Hearing with the City Council was held on February 16, 2021. Further discussion will occur during March, with a decision tentatively in April 2021.
  • More information regarding materials reviewed at the meeting is posted in the Documents Library in the right-hand column.

November-December update

  • The Planning Commission further discussed the proposed updates at a Study Session on December 17, 2020.
  • A Public Hearing with the Planning Commission was held on December 3, 2020. More information regarding materials reviewed at the hearing is posted in the Documents Library in the right-hand column.
  • The SEIS (Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement) was issued November 10, 2020. Comments are due December 10, 2020. Documents are posted under documents library in the right column.
  • The SEIS contains information regarding proposed map changes and changes to policies and regulations. Proposed map changes are shown in the draft Zoning Map below.


The City wants to hear from the community and this page on Sumner Connects will contain all the important dates for meetings, public comment opportunities and relevant documents. You can also stay informed and engaged through:

Reminder: All comment periods will have opening and closing dates, so you’ll want to check for updates right here on Sumner Connects.


Sumner’s Comprehensive Plan lays out the community’s vision for how we will live, work, get around, and grow over the next 20 years. The Plan contains goals, policies and maps that identify environmental, social, and economic priorities for the future. The various chapters address land use, housing, transportation, and capital facilities. State law only allows the comprehensive plan to be amended once a year with major updates coming every 10 years. This year the City is opening the Plan for community discussion and potential revisions. These revisions may also include changes to the the city's zoning. Zoning within the City controls where commercial, housing, and industry can be located. A major aspect of this year’s amendments is to update the East Sumner Neighborhood Plan, generally the area within a few blocks of the YMCA.

March-April 2021 update

  • The City Council held three study sessions and a public hearing on the 2020 Comprehensive Plan Update proposals, and is tentatively scheduled to take action on May 17, 2021.
  • Proposals before the Council for final action include:
    • 2020 Comprehensive Plan policies/text
    • Individual property rezones
    • Minor "housekeeping" updates to Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code
    • Minor updates to critical areas (wetlands) regulations
    • East Sumner Neighborhood Plan Update
    • East Sumner Neighborhood zoning (revised to remove Resource Protection in central wetlands area)
    • East Sumner Planned Action Ordinance
    • Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.
    • Documents are available in the Documents Library on the right.
    • East Sumner Neighborhood documents are located on the East Sumner web page at: https://connects.sumnerwa.gov/east-sumner-neighborhood-plan.

January-February 2021 update

  • The Planning Commission completed its review of the 2020 proposals, and voted to recommend approval to the City Council
  • A Public Hearing with the City Council was held on February 16, 2021. Further discussion will occur during March, with a decision tentatively in April 2021.
  • More information regarding materials reviewed at the meeting is posted in the Documents Library in the right-hand column.

November-December update

  • The Planning Commission further discussed the proposed updates at a Study Session on December 17, 2020.
  • A Public Hearing with the Planning Commission was held on December 3, 2020. More information regarding materials reviewed at the hearing is posted in the Documents Library in the right-hand column.
  • The SEIS (Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement) was issued November 10, 2020. Comments are due December 10, 2020. Documents are posted under documents library in the right column.
  • The SEIS contains information regarding proposed map changes and changes to policies and regulations. Proposed map changes are shown in the draft Zoning Map below.


The City wants to hear from the community and this page on Sumner Connects will contain all the important dates for meetings, public comment opportunities and relevant documents. You can also stay informed and engaged through:

Reminder: All comment periods will have opening and closing dates, so you’ll want to check for updates right here on Sumner Connects.


What questions do you have about the 2020 amendments?

PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY COMMENTS FOR A PUBLIC HEARING MUST BE EMAILED DIRECTLY TO STAFF BY THE DEADLINE IN THE HEARING NOTICE

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  • The property in question is 16322 60th st se it seems that it has all been deemed wetland and natural protection area my question is this property has been in the family for over 40 yrs and the city has had atleast 3 different plans if it is all wetlands and the property values plummet will the city being responsible for compinsation thank you

    mccanns asked 8 months ago

    There are a number of properties along 60th Street East, 64th Street East and 160th Avenue East that have extensive wetlands in the back of the property.  These areas have been wetlands for years, and so have been restricted or unavailable for development.  The proposed zoning doesn’t change that. The proposed Resource Protection zone will generally follow the wetlands boundary, while keeping developable areas in the General Commercial zone.  The City would be happy to discuss your specific property in more detail; please email Ann at annsi@sumnerwa.gov.

  • I own 1616 Main Street residence. The zoning changes for school and city on Main Street and close by seem to be outside the original plan to maintain a neighborhood quality of the area, containing this type of expansion. I am a life time residence of Sumner and would like to offer my residence, at market value if you intend on gutting the Main Street residential area in favor of school and city use. Jim Lindsey

    Jim asked 8 months ago

    The proposed zoning changes for the School District property and 4 other commercial sites on Main Street are not intended to change what’s there.   These sites are already being used as school sites, or commercial businesses, and the proposal will make the zoning consistent with the uses.  

  • I live on State Street and would love to know what light industrial is.

    LesleyP26 asked 8 months ago

    Light Industrial is one of Sumner’s two “manufacturing districts.”  The Light Industrial (M-1) zone is intended to allow light manufacturing and warehousing, and limited commercial uses, that are not detrimental to neighboring commercial and residential districts.  Examples of uses allowed in this zone are:  Contractor businesses, light manufacturing, assembly or storage of heavy equipment, food packaging plants, warehouse distribution uses, and vehicle repair. Examples of some of the commercial uses allowed:  Motel, professional office, restaurant, gas station.  A more detailed list of specific uses allowed can be found in the City Zoning Code at: https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Sumner/#!/Sumner18/Sumner1818.html#18.18.

  • How would changes in zoning for the Knutson Farms affect the parks plan for underserved neighborhood?

    Josh asked about 1 year ago

    That area is identified in the 2018 Sumner Parks and Trails Plan as needing a future park.   A change in zoning for the site doesn’t really change the need for a park; whatever the zone, any future development is required to address system-wide parks impacts and Parks Plan policies.  If the density on the site is increased, it means the developer will have to do that much more to show how the correct amount of open space is provided to serve residents and to address added impacts to the parks system.  The specifics of how that all happens won’t be fully determined at the rezone stage, but will occur more at the time of future development.