April 28, 2023

Have a building project planned this spring? You might need a public health review before you get a permit

With drier weather on the way, you might be considering a building project. You wouldn't be alone!

Construction season in the Northwest revs up in spring and extends through fall, when the heavy rains return. 

While many homeowners know that they may need a building permit from their county or city before starting work on a project, some are surprised to learn that they could also need approval from their local health department.

Kitsap Public Health District reviews a wide variety of projects to ensure they comply with sewage and drinking water regulations designed to prevent pollution and keep people safe. Depending on the type of project you have planned, you might need to file an application with Kitsap Public Health before you can receive a building permit. 

Kitsap Public Health does not issue building permits. Those are issued by Kitsap County Department of Community Development (for properties in unincorporated Kitsap) and the cities of Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Poulsbo, and Port Orchard (for properties within city limits).

If you are planning a project that requires a building permit and your property is served by a septic (onsite sewage) system, there is a good chance you will need to file an application with the Health District. There are three main types of applications we review for properties served by septic: 

• Building Site Application (new or modified) 
• Building Clearance Application
• Building Clearance Exemption

The Building Site and Building Clearance applications can be found on our website. For Building Clearance Exemptions, customers need to visit our counter with a prepared Building Clearance site plan.

If you are developing a property for the first time (such as building a house on vacant land) scroll down to view our guidelines for new construction. 

Here are examples of projects on properties served by septic systems and the type of application required for each. For detailed guidance, please review the onsite sewage regulations for Kitsap County or call us at 360-728-2235.

⚒️ I want to add a third bedroom or a mother-in-law apartment to my property, but my home was only permitted for two bedrooms. 

✅ If your project will increase occupancy or water use above the permitted design capacity, you will need to hire a septic designer or engineer to submit a Building Site Application. 

⚒️ I want to convert my home into a business, such as a commercial shop or restaurant. 

✅ If your project will increase the volume or strength of wastewater above the permitted design capacity, you will need to hire a septic designer or engineer to submit a Building Site Application. 

Note: if your new business involves food service, you will also need to contact our Food Program. 

⚒️ I want to build an addition on my house, but my home doesn't have any record of an approved septic system. 

✅ If your project will expand the footprint for a structure that has plumbing but no septic permit records, you will need to hire a septic designer or engineer to submit a Building Clearance Application and Policy 10 Compliance.

⚒️ I want to build a shop with a handwashing sink.

✅ If you are adding an outbuilding with a water supply and indoor plumbing (but no cooking or sleeping facilities) you will need to file a Building Clearance Application. 

This is an example of a project that has the opportunity to meet exemption criteria if the applicant comes and talks with our permitting team.

⚒️ I want to replace an old three-bedroom house with a new three-bedroom house. 

✅ If you are replacing or expanding structures on a property with a permitted septic system and your project will not increase sewage volume or strength, you will need to file a Building Clearance Application.

Note: To replace or expand a structure served by septic, your septic system must have an approved reserve area. On a small property, you can work with a designer to establish a reserve. On a property larger than one 1 acre, you can establish a reserve through the building clearance process. 

⚒️ I want to remodel my kitchen but my home doesn't have any record of an approved septic system. 

✅ If your project involves remodeling a building with no record of an approved septic system, you will need to file a Building Clearance Application and work with a septic designer or engineer to submit a Policy 10 Compliance.

⚒️ I want to build a barn on my 2-acre property. I have a septic system, but the barn won't have any plumbing. 

✅ If you are constructing a building with no water supply or indoor plumbing on a property that is larger than 1 acre and has an approved septic system and reserve area, you will need to file a Building Clearance Application. 

If your Building Clearance project meets certain criteria when you bring your application in, we may waive site visit and approve your project over the counter with a Building Clearance Exemption at a reduced fee.

PROJECTS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEW

• Reroofing
• Replacement of windows, decks, or siding
• Interior-only remodels that do not increase the number of bedrooms

STARTING OUT WITH YOUR SITE PLAN

f your project requires a septic designer or professional engineer, they will create your site plan and submit it with your building site application. If you are planning new structures on your developed property or changes to old structures, your first step will be to develop a site plan for submittal of your building clearance. A site plan is a diagram showing the property and its features, such as buildings, wells, and septic systems. This helps environmental and planning experts to identify and correct any possible issues with your proposed project.

All site plans need to meet site plan requirements and be drawn to scale. Some things that should be included in your site plan are:

• General Property Information: such as property lines and dimensions, cut banks, streams and wetlands.
• Existing Property Improvements: including existing structures, wells and their setbacks, drainfield components, stormwater zones, and driveways.
• Proposed Property Improvements: include anything new you are proposing with your project.

All projects require a site plan. To see a detailed list of site plan requirements with a handy checklist and an example plan, click here.

UNDERSTANDING THE REVIEW PROCESS

As you'll see below, different scenarios call for different review processes. The following graphics explain the general flow for different project scenarios. 

SCENARIO: YOU ARE MODIFYING AN EXISTING STRUCTURE/SITE

After approval, the building clearance will be scanned and available for download.

The approved application must be added to your building permit with your county or city building department. 

SCENARIO: YOU'RE STARTING A NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AND...

You are developing on a property that will be served by a septic system and a private well.

After approval, the building site application will be scanned and available for download.

The approved application must be uploaded to your building permit with your county or city building department. 

SCENARIO: YOU'RE STARTING A NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AND...

You are developing on a property that will be served by a septic system and a public water system.

After approval, the building site application will be scanned and available for download.

The approved application must be uploaded to your building permit with your county or city building department. 

WHY IS THE HEALTH DISTRICT INVOLVED?

Our agency gets involved to determine whether or not a project proposal is compatible with the approved sewage system and water supply and whether or not the septic system and water supply are in compliance with local regulations. 

We view this review process as an opportunity to verify that these systems are working the way they are supposed to. 

If a septic or drinking water is not being maintained properly or is out of compliance, our environmental health specialists can help you guide you through the process of bringing your systems into compliance. By bringing systems into compliance, we can make sure they are functioning properly and protecting public health. 

COME IN AND LET US HELP

Regulations and review processes are complex, but we are here to help!

Kitsap Public Health offices at 345 6th Street in Bremerton are open every weekday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feel free to take the elevator to the third floor lobby and ask for one of our environmental health specialists to provide assistance with your project. 

If you have any questions, call us at 360-728-2235.