Land use consistency

Hearing about a local area’s requirements for energy facilities

We hold a land use consistency hearing to determine whether a proposed facility complies with local land use plans and zoning ordinances.

Steps in Land use and adjudication

Select one of the steps to view details.

About this milestone

First, we hold an informational public meeting about a proposed facility. Immediately after, we hold a hearing about its compliance with the land use requirements of the area where an applicant wants to build and operate it.

Both events are open to members of the public, who may attend and share comments. 

What happens after the meeting and hearing

We’ll determine whether a proposed facility complies with local land use plans and zoning ordinances. For details, see RCW 80.50.090(2) and WAC 463-26-110.

Related steps

Under state laws and rules, we need to hold the informational public meeting within 60 days of receiving your application for site certification.

Facilities at this step

Completing this milestone

Milestone requirements
  1. Before the land use hearing, we'll notify legislative authorities in each county, city, and port district where the proposed facility’s site would be (WAC 463-26-020).
  2. We'll hold an informational public meeting within 60 days of receiving an application for site certification (RCW 80.50.090).
  3. We'll usually hold the land use consistency hearing immediately after the informational public meeting.
  4. At the beginning of the land use hearing, we'll explain that we’re holding it to determine whether — at the time of application — the proposed facility complied with land use plans and zoning ordinances (WAC 463-26-050).
  5. We'll determine whether the proposed facility complies with land use plans and zoning ordinances (WAC 463-26-110).