On this page:

• Background
• Press & Action Alerts
• Other Resources & Information
• Contacts

Background

Pierce County is home to nearly 780,000 residents who contribute to its strong economy and benefit from the region’s abundant natural beauty and many recreational opportunities.  Pierce County is labeled as the economic engine of the South Sound, home to the Port of Tacoma, the nation’s sixth largest container port, and boasting strong economic output from its 357,000 acres of farm and forestlands.  Among the beauty provided by the county’s farm and forestland, residents and tourists benefit from recreational opportunities that range from fishing for salmon in the many rivers to skiing and hiking in Mt. Rainier National Park.

Being an area with myriad of attractive community attributes, many people are moving into the county.  Pierce County’s population growth-rate is higher than the state’s and nearly twice that of King County.  In recent years, a significant amount of this growth occurred at the expense of rural and agricultural lands.  Between 2002 and 2007, the county’s agricultural land decreased at a rate of 1,900 acres per year while between 1997 and 2002, agricultural land decreased by approximately 900 acres per year.  The State’s Office of Financial Management predicts an additional 393,000 people will reside in the county by 2040.    

While population and economic growth are beneficial to the community, it can present challenges to maintaining the area’s attractive character.  With the expected growth, the agricultural and forested land base will likely experience increased development pressure, affecting the resource industries and altering the viewscape.

In 2007, the Pierce County Council voted unanimously in favor of adopting a Purchase and Transfer of Development Rights Program to help conserve the county’s important farm and forestlands while simultaneously encouraging growth in urban areas.    

Press & Action Alerts

• The News Tribune Op/Ed - The County on right Path with Land Development 
• The News Tribune Op/Ed - A Market-based Way to Save Best Farmland

Resources & Information

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Existing Pierce County TDR Ordinance
• Exhibit A - Transfer and Purchase of Development Rights Program
  
• Exhibit B - Amendments to Definitions
  
• Exhibit C - Amendments to Plan Amendments Procedure
• Exhibit D - Amendments to Development Regulations
• Exhibit E - Establishing a Development Rights Committee
• Exhibit F - Findings of Fact

Questions?

Please contact us if you have any questions or require any additional information: 

Ryan Mello at 253-274-4955 or ryanm@cascadeland.org

or

Taylor Carroll at 206-905-6939 or taylorc@cascadeland.org