Cluster Development Moratorium

Cluster Development Interim Regulations

On November 8, 2004, the Board of County Commissioners (Board) adopted Interim Ordinance No 13222, which temporarily limited the size of housing clusters in rural Thurston County. Rules for cluster development are found in the Planned Residential section and Planned Rural Residential Development section of Title 20 of the Thurston County Code. This ordinance also removed the proviso for awarding density bonuses in cluster developments. (You may want to read the ordinance together with Title 20 to understand how the rules have been changed.)

Interim Ordinance No. 13222 set up a work plan to study the impacts of cluster development and research appropriate standards that may improve the current rules. The Board established a Cluster Development Task Force (Task Force) and directed the Task Force to implement this work plan by reviewing and recommending revisions to the current rules as necessary to protect rural character and comply with the Growth Management Act.

Current Status

Since the initial adoption, the County has renewed and/or amended the interim regulations governing cluster developments for Planned Rural Development (PRD) and Planned Rural Residential Development (PRRD). The renewals have occurred many times over the past five years beginning with Ordinance No. 13192. The County has been unable to complete final regulations in a timely fashion due to work load and budgetary issues. While the Growth Management Act (GMA) allows for interim regulations, this allowance was never intended to be used for such a long period of time.

On June 16, 2010, the Board of County Commissioners adopted a moratorium prohibiting any new planned rural development (PRD) under chapter 20.30 Thurston County Code (TCC), and planned rural residential development (PRRD) under chapter 20.30a TCC.  (Click here to view Thurston County Code.) Staff was also directed to place this item on the 2011 docket for further review.  More information will be posted here as it becomes available.

Interim Regulations

Ordinance No. 14365 adopted June 16, 2010 (This ordinance repeals/replaces Ordinance No. 13222 as amended by Ordinance No. 13756 and last renewed by Ordinance 14337. Expires March 21, 2011 or earlier by Board of County Commissioners action.)

Ordinance No. 14337 adopted February 9, 2010 ( (This ordinance renews Ordinance No. 13222 for an additional six month period.)

Ordinance No. 14264 adopted August 11, 2009 (This ordinance renews Ordinance No. 13222 for an additional six month period.)

Ordinance No. 13222 adopted November 8, 2004. (This ordinance limits cluster development for one year. This ordinance repeals and replaces previous verions.)

Ordinance No. 13192 adopted August 2, 2004. 

Ordinance No. 13462 adopted November 7, 2005. (This ordinance renews Ordinance No. 13222 for an additional six month period.)

Ordinance No. 13578 adopted May 4, 2006. (This ordinance renews Ordinance No. 13222 for an additional six month period.)

Ordinance No. 13675 adopted October 23, 2006. (This ordinance renews Ordinance No. 13222 for an additional six month period.)

Ordinance No. 13756 was adopted on February 12, 2007 to amend the interim ordinance limiting cluster development in rural Thurston County. A definition has been added to clarify what is considered a project.

Ordinance No. 13786 adopted April 9, 2007. (This ordinance renews Ordinance No. 13222, as amended by Ordinance No. 13756, for an additional six month period.)

Ordinance No. 13905 adopted September 10, 2007. (This ordinance renews Ordinance No. 13222 for an additional six month period)

Ordinance No. 14039 adopted March 10, 2008. (This ordinance renews Ordinance No. 13222 for an additional six month period)

Ordinance No. 14116 adopted September 8, 2008. (This ordinance renews Ordinance No. 13222 for an additional six month period)

Ordinance No. 14198 adopted February 26, 2009. (This ordinance renews Ordinance No. 13222 for an additional six month period)

Cluster Development Task Force

The Task Force is made up of 11 members appointed by the Board to represent the development community, environmental community, agriculture and forestry operators, and county residents. The Task Force met from March 2005 through August 2006, facilitated by Long Range Planning staff. Click on the meeting and agenda link at the top of the page to view Task Force agendas and meeting notes.

Final Reports

The Task Force presented a Final Report of recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on June 20, 2006. June 20, 2006 Presentation  (PDF, 1.7Mb) Task Force recommendations are currently being evaluated by staff and drafted into revised code language. Summary Matrix of Task Force Recommendations

Contact Us

Interested Parties: If you would like to be added to our Web Mail list, please click here. For more information, contact Jeremy Davis, Senior Planner. (360) 754-3355, x7010 davisj@co.thurston.wa.us.