City of Olympia, WA

02/27/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/27/2026 13:57

02/27/2026 - March 2026 Quarterly Development Updates

March 2026 Quarterly Development Update is Live!

Each quarter, Community Planning and Economic Development publishes a list of major development projects underway in the City. This list includes projects that have had only a pre-application meeting up through newly completed projects. The list does not include all projects currently in review or construction; it is intended to shed light on some developments you may see around the City. The list includes the status at the time of list publication. Contact staff at the contact information below with questions about specific project status. See the March 2026 list here.

Another resource to stay informed is the "Construction in Olympia" webpage: olympiawa.gov/info/construction_in_olympia. This page has digital maps showing City and private projects underway or recently completed. Contact staff at the contact information below with questions about specific project statuses.

What is the process of a typical project?
From early planning to opening day, projects must get several permits from several different agencies and departments. Depending on the size and scale of a project, it could be years from planning to breaking ground. Large projects, such as new commercial buildings or multi-story apartment buildings, go through the following permit process with the City:
  1. Land Use Permitting: Is this use allowed here? Does the proposal fit on the site and can it meet City codes? The proposal is reviewed at a conceptual level to see if it is possible overall.
  2. Construction Permitting
    1. Engineering Permitting: How will the development use and dispose of water, sewage, garbage, recycling, and stormwater? Does the development need to make improvements to the road or sidewalk in front of it? The proposal is reviewed in detail to make sure the engineering design meets City code.
    2. Building Permitting: How is the building being constructed? How is the building meeting energy efficiency requirements? How is the building safe and comfortable for people with different accessibility needs? The building is reviewed in detail to make sure it meets the International Building Code and other locally adopted codes.
Land use permitting often requires public notice, and this is the stage that may trigger mailed letters or posted notice signs. After the land use permit is approved, construction permits do not trigger public notice beyond traffic alerts. You can always go to Olympia's Permit Portal (olympiawa.gov/permitportal) to search addresses and see if there are any permits in review, under construction, or completed for a site. Always reach out if you're having trouble using this portal; our Permit Specialists are here to help at 360.753.8314 or [email protected].

Learn more about land use review processes on Olympia's Land Use webpage: olympiawa.gov/landuse.
Contact
Casey Mauck, AICP, Associate Planner
Community Planning & Economic Development
360.753.8048
[email protected]
City of Olympia, WA published this content on February 27, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on February 27, 2026 at 19:57 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]