Bellevue’s Comprehensive Plan is a foundational policy document, guiding growth and development here for a 20-year span. The City Council adopted the current plan in 2015 (agenda memo). The maps, goals and policies of the plan provide the basis for Bellevue's regulations, programs and services. Comprehensive Plan Story Map
The city significantly updates the Comprehensive Plan about every 10 years, and we are in the process of drafting the 2024 update. Bellevue 2044, as it's called, will guide Bellevue's development through 2044. Substantial updates like this are called "periodic" updates, to distinguish them from minor annual amendments related to specific properties.
Planning Commission recommended the periodic update to the Comprehensive Plan to City Council on July 10, 2024. City Council will consider the update in September (exact dates have not been set yet). The materials reflecting the recommendation of the Planning Commission will be linked below once the requested changes have been made.
Comprehensive Plan, Volume 1
Future Land Use Map
Comprehensive Plan, Volume 2
The current Comprehensive Plan is organized into two volumes. Volume 1 has background information about Bellevue and the community vision for the future, along with goals for elements such as housing, transportation, human services and parks. Volume 2 contains goals and policies of the subarea (or neighborhood area) plans.
2044 Update Timeline
The City Council initiated work on the Comprehensive Plan update on Feb. 28, 2022. This update is planned for adoption by September of 2024. Participate in the update at Engaging Bellevue. Questions and comments can be sent to CompPlan2044@bellevuewa.gov. A summary of public comments received so far will be posted when compiled.
Timeline
| Date | Event | Links | |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | City Council | links to come | |
| Council will consider the periodic update to the Comprehensive Plan. Date has not been determined. | |||
| July 10, 2024 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Recommended the staff recommended update to the Comprehensive Plan to the City Council with a couple modifications. | |||
| June 20 & 26, 2024 | Public Hearing | see links below | |
The following materials support the notice of the Public Hearing, published June 6, 2024.
Details of past engagement activities in the development of Bellevue 2044 are available at Engaging Bellevue. | |||
| May 22, 2024 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Review response to feedback on the policy updates in the Comprehensive Plan from the Planning Commission and the Public. Expected to set date for Public Hearing. | |||
| May 8, 2024 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Reviewed Future Land Use Map. | |||
| May 6, 2024 | Community Information Meeting | ||
| A hybrid information meeting was held to answer questions about the Periodic Update to the Comprehensive Plan. | |||
| May 5, 2024 | Draft Bellevue 2044 Comprehensive Plan Released | ||
| April 10, 2024 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Reviewed the Capital Facilities element (tabled from 3/27) and the recommendation from the Transportation Commission for the Transportation element. | |||
| April 3, 2024 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Reviewed updates to policies in the Housing element and the recommendation from the Human Services Commission for the Human Services element. | |||
| March 27, 2024 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Reviewed the Utilities element and the Urban Design & the Arts element. Review the recommendation from the Arts Commission for the arts and culture focused policies in the Urban Design & the Arts element and the recommendation from the Environmental Services Commission for the city-managed utilities in the Utilities element. Tabled the review of the Capital Facilities element. | |||
| March 14, 2024 | Transportation Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Recommended updates to the Transportation element to the Planning Commission | |||
| March 13, 2024 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Reviewed policy updates in the Neighborhoods and Climate & Environment elements and the recommendation from the Parks & Community Services Board for the Parks, Recreation & Open Space element. | |||
| March 7, 2024 | Environmental Services Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Recommended updates to the Utilities element to the Planning Commission (focus on city-managed utilities) | |||
| March 6, 2024 | Arts Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Reviewed policy updates in the Urban Design & the Arts element (focus on arts & culture policies) | |||
| February 28, 2024 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Review Future Land Use Map | |||
| February 21, 2024 | Human Services Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Reviewed updates to the Human Services element and recommended those updates to the Planning Commission. | |||
| February 14, 2024 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Reviewed updates to the Land Use element and was introduced to the Future Land Use classifications | |||
| February 13, 2024 | Parks & Community Services Board | Meeting Materials | |
| Recommended updates to the Parks and Recreation element to the Planning Commission | |||
| February 1, 2024 | Environmental Services Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Reviewed updates to policies in the Utilities element (focus on city-managed utilities) | |||
| February 1, 2024 | Final Environmental Impact Statement | Environmental Review Web Page | |
| The FEIS contains additional analysis due to recent state legislation and response to comments | |||
| January 24, 2024 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Reviewed updates to policies in the Community Engagement and Economic Development elements | |||
| January 20, 2024 | Bellevue 2044 Policy Open House | Engaging Bellevue | |
| Community viewed and responded to updates to the key policy moves | |||
| January 11, 2024 | Transportation Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Reviewed updates to policies in the Transportation element | |||
| January 10, 2024 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Reviewed Housing Economic Policy Analysis | |||
| January 9, 2024 | Parks and Community Services Board | Meeting Materials | |
| Reviewed updates to policies in the Parks, Recreation and Open Space element | |||
| November 29, 2023 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Discussed update to Introduction & Vision chapter | |||
| October 25, 2023 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Reviewed updates to key policy areas in Housing and Human Services elements | |||
| October 11, 2023 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
Reviewed updates to key policy areas in Land Use and Neighborhood elements Reviewed the Climate Vulnerability Assessment | |||
| October 11 to 24, 2024 | Bellevue 2044 Vision Open House | Vision Engagement Report | |
| Community members could visit and respond to updates to the vision statements at the beginning of each element. | |||
| October 11, 2023 | Climate Vulnerability Assessment | Link to Analysis | |
| The Climate Vulnerability Assessment will become an appendix to the FEIS. | |||
| September 27, 2023 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
Reviewed updates to key policy areas in Economic Development, Engagement, Transportation, and Urban Design & the Arts elements Reviewed Progress on BelRed Look Forward | |||
| September 13, 2023 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Reviewed updates to key policy areas in Capital Facilities, Environment, Parks, Recreation & Open Space, and Utilities elements | |||
| July 24, 2023 | City Council | Meeting Materials | |
| Directed the study of a Preferred Alternative in FEIS | |||
| July 17, 2023 | City Council | Meeting Materials | |
| Reviewed Planning Commission's recommended Preferred Alternative | |||
| June 28, 2023 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Recommended a Preferred Alternative to be studied in the FEIS | |||
| June 21, 2023 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Discussed a Preferred Alternative to be studied in the FEIS | |||
| June 14, 2023 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Discussed analysis of alternatives in the DEIS and other analyses | |||
| June 14, 2023 | Release of Racially Disparate Impact Analysis | Link to Analysis | |
| Release of Economic Analysis | Link to Analysis | ||
| May 10, 2023 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Discussed the alternatives in the DEIS | |||
| April 27 - June 12, 2023 | DEIS Public Comment Period | DEIS Document & Information | |
| May 18, 2023 | Virtual Public Meeting | ||
| May 23, 2023 | Public Meeting | ||
| June 1, 2023 | Public Meeting | ||
| April 27, 2023 | Release of Draft EIS | EIS website | |
| The release of the DEIS was followed by a 45-day comment period. | |||
| April 26, 2023 | Planning Commission | Meeting Materials | |
| Reviewed the Draft EIS | |||
| April 24, 2023 | City Council | Meeting materials | |
| An update on the progress of the 2044 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update was provided. | |||
| Mar. 23, 2023 | Housing Forum - Virtual Lunch & Learn | Event Materials | |
| Mar. 21, 2023 | Housing Forum - Discussion | ||
| Mar. 18, 2023 | Housing Forum - Drop-in | ||
| March, 2023 | Statistically Valid Survey | Results Dashboard | |
The city worked with an outside research firm to design and conduct a statistically valid survey of current Bellevue residents to better understand:
| |||
| Feb. 23, 2023 | Planning Commission | PowerPoint & Commission Materials | |
| Overview of EIS process. | |||
| Dec. 12, 2022 | City Council | PowerPoint & Council Materials | |
| The City Council received a written briefing updating them on the progress of the project and highlighting the EIS process. | |||
| Sep. 29-Oct. 31, 2022 | Environmental Review Scoping Public Comment Period | Scoping Notice and Materials | |
| Draft growth alternatives and the scope of analysis proposed were released for public comment. | |||
| Fall 2022 | Missing Middle Housing Questionnaire | Questionnaire Report | |
| A questionnaire was released to inform what types of mid-scale housing community members are interested in seeing in different parts of the city. | |||
| Sep. 28, 2022 | Planning Commission | PowerPoint & Commission Materials | |
| An update was provided to the Planning Commission on the engagement to date and the scope of expected updates to policies throughout the plan. | |||
| Summer 2022 | Phase 2a: Community Deep Dives | Phase 2a Report | |
| July 14 | Environment | Presentation & Boards | |
| Aug. 3 | Connection | Presentation & Boards | |
| Aug. 24 | Access | Presentation & Boards | |
| Sep. 15 | Housing | Presentation & Boards | |
| Spring 2022 | Phase 1 Community Engagement | Phase 1 Report | |
| Spring | Visioning Questionnaire | ||
| March 22, 2022 | Community Vision Event: This online event gave an overview of the periodic update process and participants discussed areas where Bellevue is fulfilling its vision and where it can do better. | Presentation & Notes | |
| March 9, 2022 | Planning Commission | PowerPoint & Commission Materials | |
| The scope of the update was introduced to Planning Commission. No action was taken. | |||
| February 28, 2022 | City Council | PowerPoint and Council Materials | |
| Council directed staff to begin work on the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update. |
2044 Update Community Engagement
Upcoming community engagement events and online engagement opportunities are hosted on EngagingBellevue.com.
Bellevue 2044 Community Engagement Report
Below is a summary of past engagement phases and survey results with links to reports of those phases and the survey. All individual event materials can be found on EngagingBellevue.com.
Phase 4 – Revise and Refine
- Summary of Engagement during Phase 4 - Key Policy Moves
- Summary of Engagement during Phase 4 - Draft Vision
Missing Middle Housing Discussions
Phase 3 -- Discuss Growth Options
Strategy Team
Statistically Valid Survey
Phase 2 – Exploring Livability
Phase 1 – Affirming the Vision
City work on HB 1110 – Middle Housing
With the passage of House Bill 1110, state law requires cities like Bellevue to change local comprehensive plans and development codes to allow up to four housing units per lot (six per lot within one-quarter mile walk of a major transit stop or when two units are affordable) in a variety of housing types. In addition to single-family, residential areas will need to allow at least six other types of housing from this list: duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, fiveplexes, sixplexes, cottage housing, courtyard apartments, stacked flats or townhouses.
The legislature also passed HB 1337, which will require Bellevue to update its comprehensive plan and its development code regulating attached and detached accessory dwelling units. These are other forms of housing that can be used to meet the additional units per lot requirements of HB 1110.
Bellevue already has many of the housing types listed in HB 1110, but in just a few areas. Bellevue will amend its comprehensive plan and development codes to meet the state requirements to allow these types of housing; however, individual property owners and the housing market will ultimately determine the number and type of housing that is built.
The first step in complying with the new state laws on housing is already underway as Bellevue updates the city's Comprehensive Plan to prepare for significant, anticipated growth in population and jobs over the next 20 years. The city will continue to analyze the legislation to better understand the requirements and ways to comply. This information will be used by the Planning Commission and City Council to update the Comprehensive Plan. Once the Comprehensive Plan is updated, the city will revise the development code with more specific requirements.
Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments
In contrast to periodic updates of the Comprehensive Plan, which are substantial and involve the entire community, amendments associated with specific properties can be requested once per year in Bellevue. Privately-initiated Comprehensive Plan amendments requested in 2023 or 2024 are unlikely to be adopted because of the periodic 2024 update underway.
Work is underway on the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update (as initiated by the City Council on Feb. 28, 2022), which includes potential changes to the Land Use Maps found within the Comprehensive Plan. This work will continue throughout 2023 and 2024, with an adoption date for the Periodic Update scheduled on or before June 30, 2024. The City is currently soliciting feedback through its Environmental Review process, including feedback from the public relating to amendment requests associated with specific properties which may include changes to plans, policies, or land use map for specific properties. Formal Community Initiated Requests for changes to the City's Comprehensive Plan land use map, plans or policies related to a particular property will be considered as part of the plan update, but changes to the land use designations that apply to individual properties will be considered in the context of the community's vision for the plan. Submit a comment during the public comment period (September 29 through October 31) through any of the means described on the Environmental Review page if you would like to express a particular comment or request regarding an individual property.
It is unlikely that the criterium in LUC 20.30I.140.C (“The proposed amendment does not raise policy or land use issues that are more appropriately addressed by an ongoing work program approved by the City Council”) could be satisfied by an applicant requesting a change to a Land Use Map while the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update is still being processed by the City. Please also note that a privately-initiated CPA application that does not pass threshold review in 2023 or 2024 may not be resubmitted for three years, due to LUC 20.30I.130.A.2.d.
More information about annual Comprehensive Plan amendments can be found on the Comprehensive Plan Amendment webpage.
General Elements - Volume 1
- Cover and Dedication
- Table of Contents
- Introduction and Vision
- Citizen Engagement
- Land Use
- Neighborhoods
- Housing (2022)
- Capital Facilities
- Utilities
- Transportation (2022)
- Economic Development
- Environment
- Human Services
- Parks, Recreation and Open Space
- Urban Design and the Arts
- Shoreline Management
- Glossary (2020)
Subarea Plans - Volume 2
- Cover, Introduction and Table of Contents
- BelRed
- Bridle Trails
- Crossroads (2020)
- Downtown (2022)
- Eastgate
- Factoria
- Newcastle
- Newport Hills
- Northeast Bellevue (2021)
- Northwest Bellevue (2021)
- Richards Valley
- Southeast Bellevue
- Southwest Bellevue (2020)
- Wilburton/NE 8th St. (2021)
- Citywide Comprehensive Plan map (Links to: Maps and GIS -- PDF Maps -- Community Development -- Comprehensive Plan)