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.
May 5, 2026- Planning Commission Workshop
Agenda
June 2, 2026- Planning Commission Workshop
Agenda
July 7, 2026- Planning Commission Workshop
Agenda
August 4, 2026- Planning Commission Workshop
Agenda
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
- Draft Land Use Element
- Draft Map Folio
- Draft Additional Maps
- Draft Industrial Lands Memo
- Draft Agricultural Lands Memo
- Agritourism- Anticipating
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.
Documents
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Agenda Copy document link
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Presentation Copy document link
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.
Documents
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Agenda Copy document link
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Presentation Copy document link
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.
Documents
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Agenda Copy document link
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Presentation Copy document link
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.
Documents
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Presentation Copy document link
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.
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Agenda Copy document link
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Presentation Copy document link
Planning Commission Workshop
This workshop included a presentation and discussion regarding Housing, Transportation, and other components of the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update.
Documents
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Agenda Copy document link
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Presentation Copy document link
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.
Documents
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Agenda Copy document link
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Presentation Copy document link
Planning Commission Meeting
This workshop included a discussion about the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Scoping for the Comprehensive Plan Update process.
Documents
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Agenda Copy document link
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Presentation Copy document link
Planning Commission Workshop
This workshop include a general discussion about Benton County's upcoming planning process for the 2026 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update
Documents
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Agenda Copy document link
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Presentation Copy document link
