Vancouver Adopts a 20-Year Growth Plan
Vancouver, Washington recently made one of its most significant planning decisions in more than a decade. On June 1, the Vancouver City Council unanimously adopted a new Comprehensive Plan, along with an updated zoning code and zoning map, that will guide how the city grows through 2045.
The scale of what is being planned is significant. Vancouver is expected to grow by approximately 81,000 people by 2045, meaning the city will need at least 38,000 more homes and 43,000 more jobs to remain livable and affordable for current and future residents.
To accommodate that growth, the updated zoning code replaces the city’s 17 existing residential zones with 10 new base districts, allowing a broader range of housing types and densities while simplifying the approval process for new development. The plan reflects more than three years of community engagement and was unanimously recommended by the Planning Commission before Council adoption.
The plan and updated code take effect on July 31, 2026. Because this is a policy and regulatory update rather than a city-led construction project, physical changes will unfold gradually as property owners bring forward new development proposals over the coming decades.
For buyers, sellers, and investors in the SW Washington market, this plan matters now. The areas and property types most likely to see activity and value shifts over time will be shaped significantly by where new housing density is permitted and where infrastructure investment follows.
If you have questions about how this plan update could affect property values, development potential, or buying and selling decisions in the Vancouver and Clark County market, reach out anytime. I am always happy to talk through what these changes could mean for your real estate goals!
