Timeline

Benton County is undertaking a periodic update to its Comprehensive Plan (“Plan”) to cover the 20-year period through 2046, which must be completed by December 31, 2026. The Plan is the County’s primary policy and planning document for guiding growth and development in unincorporated Benton County. Development regulations are controls placed on the development and use of land. They include zoning districts that reflect the land use designations on the Land Use Map in the Land Use Element within the plan, and regulations to protect the public health, safety and welfare, i.e., short plat and subdivision ordinances, agriculture, mineral resource, and shoreline ordinances, sensitive environmental resources, i.e., critical areas that are specifically; wetlands, streams, aquifer recharge areas, fish and wildlife habitats, frequently flooded areas, and geological hazards. Development regulations are used to carry out the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan. 

Public engagement is critical to Benton County's long range planning success which means your feedback is very important.  Use planning.department@co.benton.wa.us to: (1) add your email address to our distribution list so future notices are sent directly to you: or (2) Provide comments to Benton County regarding any of the elements of the 2026 Comprehensive Plan Update found below. 

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

For virtual attendance please click HERE 

May 5, 2026- Planning Commission Workshop

Agenda
Presentation 

May 27, 2026- Public Meeting/Open House

For more Information click HERE

June 2, 2026- Planning Commission Workshop-Cancelled

July 7, 2026- Planning Commission Workshop

Agenda

August 4, 2026- Planning Commission Workshop- Rescheduled for August 18, 2026

August 18, 2026- Planning Commission Public Hearing 

Agenda
Presentation

September 1, 2026- Planning Commission Workshop

Agenda

October 6, 2026- Planning Commission Workshop

Agenda

November 3, 2026- Planning Commission Workshop

Agenda

December 1, 2026- Planning Commission Workshop

Agenda

Available Documents

Below are the most current version of the documents

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  • Periodic Update Work Plan
  • Public Participation Plan
  • CAO
  • Draft BCC15.02 updates- General Provisions
  • Draft BCC15.04 updates- Wetlands
  • Draft BCC15.14 updates- Fish and Wildlife Conservation Areas
  • Draft BAS sources updates
  • Draft BCC3.26 Flood Damage Prevention Regulations
  • Draft Housing Allocation Report
  • Draft Housing Goals & Policies
  • Draft Housing Element
  • Draft Housing Presentation
  • Draft Transportation Update
  • Draft Transportation Presentation
  • Draft Energy Overlay
  • Draft Scoping Summary Memo
  • Draft Scoping Presentation
  • DRAFT EIS Scoping Comment Response
  • EIS/DS
  • Final Draft Memo
  • Shrub steppe Priority Map
  • Benton County Conservation District Shrub Steppe Prioritization Memo
  • August 27, 2025 DNR Trust Land Transfer Public Meeting Presentation
  • August 27, 2025 Open Space Public meeting summary
  • Draft Climate Element
  • Draft Chapter 2 Goals and Policies
  • Final Draft Countywide Planning Policies
  • City of Richland Application Materials
  • City of Benton City Application Materials
  • Draft Open Space Taxation Program
  • 2026 Working Draft Shrub-Steppe Program
  • Draft Capital Facilities Element
  • Draft Economic Development Element
  • Draft Natural Resources Element
  • Draft Parks and Recreation Element
  • Draft Utilities Element
  • Draft BCC Chapter 9 Subdivision Code
  • Draft BCC Chapter 11 Zoning Code
  • Draft BCC Chapter 15.18 Rural Water Supply Program Updates
  • Draft BCC Chapter 17.10 Permit Review Process Updates

Planning Commission Workshop

Planning Commission Workshop

This meeting included a presentation by White Bluffs Consulting regarding the upcoming County planning process and draft comprehensive plan elements including the Natural Resource, Economic, Parks and Recreation, Capital Facilities as well as Utilities.

Planning Commission Public Hearing and Workshop

This meeting included a public hearing to consider the 2026 County Wide Planning Policies as well as a workshop to review the Open Space Taxation Program, Land Use Element, Land Use Goals and Policies, and the Climate Change Program.

Planning Commission Workshop

This workshop included a presentation regarding Shrub Steppe, Agritourism, Department of Natural Resources land transfer, EIS development timeline, the Land Use Element, Energy Overlay and Climate Change presentation related to the Comprehensive Plan Update.

Board of County Commissioners Meeting

This meeting included a presentation regarding Benton County’s desire to acquire a specific property from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in support of the County’s Open Space program associated with the Comprehensive Plan Update.

Planning Commission Workshop

This workshop included a presentation and discussion regarding climate change impacts and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to the Comprehensive Plan Update.

Planning Commission Workshop

This workshop included a presentation and discussion regarding Housing, Transportation, and other components of the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update.

Planning Commission Workshop

This workshop included a presentation and discussion regarding Critical Areas, Open Space, Energy Overlay, and Industrial Lands components of the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update.

Planning Commission Meeting

This workshop included a discussion about the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Scoping for the Comprehensive Plan Update process.

Planning Commission Workshop

This workshop include a general discussion about Benton County's upcoming planning process for the 2026 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update