Some jurisdictions had no local regulations for development. Now, the GMA requires local governments planning under the GMA to adopt development regulations that carry out and are consistent with the comprehensive plan. One example is a zoning ordinance that establishes locations and densities for various land uses that will promote the goals of the act to prevent sprawl and provide for housing for all economic groups.
State agencies are to comply with the local regulations when they are adopted.
Development regulations should take comprehensive plan policies to a more specific level of detail and spell out rules for development clearly for people who are developing and people who will be affected by the development. Under the GMA, communities have an opportunity to make sure that what they envision in their plans is carried out through their local regulations. However, development regulations are just one way comprehensive plans are implemented. Capital budget decisions and education programs are other ways to make the comprehensive plan a reality. State agencies review proposed local regulations to ensure consistency with other state laws and to provide technical assistance to local governments.