The Comprehensive (Comp) Plan, Toward a Sustainable Seattle, is a 20-year policy plan designed to articulate a vision of how Seattle will grow in ways that sustain its citizens' values. The City first adopted the Comp Plan in 1994 in response to the state Growth Management Act of 1990.

The Comp Plan makes basic policy choices and provides a flexible framework for adapting to real conditions over time. It is a collection of the goals and policies the City will use to guide future decisions about how much growth Seattle should take and where it should be located. The Comp Plan also describes in a general way how the City will address the effects of growth on transportation and other City facilities.

The initial building blocks of the Comp Plan are the "elements" required by the state's Growth Management Act: land use, transportation, housing, capital facilities and utilities. The City's plan also includes elements addressing neighborhood planning, human development, and the environment.

The current Comp Plan contains all amendments (see Annual Amendment Process) adopted by the Seattle City Council through the year 2005, including the goals and policies of 38 neighborhood plans.

If you have questions about the Comp Plan or would like to sign up to receive notice of yearly updates, please contact DPD Comprehensive Planning at (206) 233-0079.  CD-ROM or printed copies of the Comprehensive Plan are available from the DPD Public Resource Center, located on the 20th floor of Seattle Municipal Tower at 700 Fifth Ave., (206) 684-8467. Printed copies cost $15.