What is the Comprehensive Plan?
The Comprehensive Plan is the fundamental planning document for the City of Seattle. It dictates where new housing and businesses are allowed, and guides where the city invests in transit, parks, and all the things that make our neighborhoods better. All zoning (rules governing what can be built where) follows from the Comprehensive Plan. By allowing more housing in existing neighborhood residential areas, the city can increase housing supply, promote inclusivity, and support the creation of diverse, complete communities across Seattle.
In 2025, Seattle passed the new One Seattle Plan, along with updated Neighborhood Residential zoning – and 2026 is our chance to turn its vision for abundant and affordable housing into actual city zoning and land use regulations.
Where Are We in the Process?
Phase 1
✓ DoneOne Seattle Plan & Neighborhood Residential
Established the future land use map, designating additional areas throughout the city for growth. Rezoned all former single-family areas to Neighborhood Residential, allowing duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, stacked flats, ADUs, and low-income housing.
Phase 2
● We Are HereCenters & Corridors
Zoning maps for the 30 neighborhood centers and along transit corridors. Changes to development standards for low-rise and mid-rise zones.
Phase 3
Expanded Centers
Adding nine new neighborhood centers, expanding established neighborhood centers, and upzoning regional and urban centers.
Phase 4
Transit Areas
Allowing more multifamily and mixed-use housing near frequent transit and bus rapid transit.
Seattle’s Updated Growth Strategy
Seattle is expected to continue to grow over the next 20 years and beyond. That growth is an opportunity: to create more vibrant, walkable communities, to let more people live near jobs, services, and transit, and to make real progress on our climate goals. However, if we don’t build enough housing to welcome a growing population, costs will continue to rise, pushing people out of Seattle, worsening homelessness, and making more neighborhoods exclusive.