During the 1980's, the entire Puget Sound region experienced an extremely rapid rate of growth in both population and employment. This rapid growth brought with it increased traffic congestion, air and water pollution, increased housing costs and the loss of acres of natural areas and resource lands. In response to these problems, the State Legislature passed the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) in 1990.

The state law requires each city and county in the larger counties to develop comprehensive plans, which meet statewide planning goals, and which are coordinated and consistent.

The Comprehensive Plan must be consistent with:

The King County Countywide Planning Policies, which must be consistent with:

The Puget Sound Regional Council's Vision 2040, which must be consistent with:

The State's Growth Management Act.