Community Outreach & Research
Pierce County Planning and Public Works is partnering with the University of Washington's Master of Urban Planning program to organize community outreach and help South Hill residents understand and engage with the question of incorporation.
A collaboration between
About the Project
We are a Master of Urban Planning studio group at the University of Washington, working alongside Pierce County Planning and Public Works and Livable City Year @ UW this quarter on the question of incorporation for South Hill, WA.
With 64,708 residents as of 2020, South Hill is the second largest community in Pierce County and the largest unincorporated community in Washington State. As a rapidly growing area, South Hill's need for reliable urban services continues to rise.
Our role is focused on community engagement. We are not here to advocate for a particular outcome. We are here to inform, listen, and create space for community conversation.
Identifying meaningful, accessible ways to reach South Hill residents and hear from a broad cross-section of the community.
Developing resources, including this website and our Incorporation Primer, to help residents understand the question and engage in an informed discussion.
Facilitating community conversations, including our Open House, to surface concerns, opportunities, and priorities directly from the people who live and work in South Hill.
Supporting ongoing community awareness and participation so residents remain engaged and informed as this conversation continues beyond our studio quarter.
The Basics
Incorporation is the process by which an unincorporated community can follow to form a local city government.
Incorporation is the legal process a community can follow to form a local city government. Pierce County planning policies encourage unincorporated areas within the Urban Growth Area (UGA) to incorporate or be annexed by neighboring cities.
Unincorporated communities are governed by their county government rather than a city government. Services like roads, schools, parks, and utilities are typically provided by the county, adjacent cities, and private providers.
In Washington, a city is an incorporated urban area led by a locally elected government. City governments are responsible for services like road maintenance, parks and recreation, public safety, and planning for economic development.
South Hill is categorized as a Potential Incorporation Area (PIA) by Pierce County due to its urban classification under the Washington Growth Management Act. With 64,708 residents in 2020, it is the largest unincorporated community in Washington State.
Incorporation gives local residents more influence over policies and initiatives that affect their daily lives. The new city government would define a community vision, identify key issues to address, and decide what services are managed locally.
City governments fund services by collecting taxes and seeking federal and state grants. Tax rates after incorporation would be set by the new city government. Pierce County has commissioned a financial analysis, with findings expected in mid-2026.
Our Scope This Quarter
As a student studio group with one quarter, our work is focused on community engagement. Here is how we fit into the bigger picture:
We are developing informational materials, hosting community events, and creating space for residents to learn about the incorporation question and share their perspectives.
Pierce County has commissioned an independent consulting firm to conduct the fiscal feasibility analysis, examining revenues, costs, and the financial picture of potential incorporation. Findings are expected in mid-2026 and will be shared with the community.
We are helping residents think through foundational questions: What services do you rely on today? What might change? What area should be included in any potential city? These are conversation-starters, not conclusions. The full analysis goes well beyond our scope this quarter.
What might a local government for South Hill look like? We may surface this question in community discussions, but a thorough governance analysis is beyond what our studio is tasked with this quarter. For now, we want to know what residents think matters most.
Ultimately, any decision about South Hill's future belongs to the people who live there. Our job is to make sure you have accurate, accessible information and a real chance to weigh in.
Learn More
As our research progresses, we will publish reports, maps, and data here for public access.
Our team's in-depth look at the current demographic, fiscal, land use, and governance conditions in South Hill. This report forms the foundation for understanding what incorporation would mean for this community.
📄 Download PDF ↗A guide created by our team for South Hill residents covering what incorporation is, how the process works in Washington State, and what it could mean for your community.
📄 Download PDF ↗A detailed governance study prepared for South Hill and Pierce County examining service delivery, local governance options, and what a future city structure could look like.
📄 Download PDF ↗Washington State's legal framework for municipal incorporation under RCW Title 35, which governs how communities like South Hill can become a city.
View RCW 35.02 ↗Current county services and governance information relevant to South Hill residents, including planning, roads, and public safety.
Pierce County ↗Learn more about the UW program connecting students with communities across Washington State through applied research and community engagement.
LCY @ UW ↗Your Voice Matters
Whether you've lived in South Hill for decades or just moved in, your perspective shapes this work. We want to hear what you care about, what you're concerned about, and what you hope for your community.
Questions or want to learn more? Email us at [email coming soon]