April 1: Kitsap's Plan for Growth, Housing, and Environment Take Effect
Kitsap County's Department of Community Development worked hard to update the 2024 Comprehensive Plan to reflect our community's needs and future goals.
As a result, big changes are coming to Kitsap County starting April 1, 2025, and they're designed to make our community stronger, safer, and more sustainable. Whether you're a homeowner, a renter, or just love our beautiful county, these updates will positively impact our neighborhoods, environment, and future growth.
Key Changes to the Comprehensive Plan:
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More Housing Choices in More Zones: New options for multi-family housing, townhomes, and accessory dwelling units aim to provide more affordable and diverse housing opportunities for all income levels.
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Protecting Nature: Certain buffer zones will increase to protect fish, wildlife, habitat, and wetlands better, helping to keep our ecosystems healthy for generations to come.
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Creating Vibrant Communities: By encouraging growth in designated Urban Growth Areas (UGAs), we promote walkable neighborhoods with better access to shops, transit, and services. At the same time, the County understands the impacts of development in our rural areas and seeks to limit certain impacts in accordance with the WA Growth Management Act.
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Preserving Our Trees: New tree canopy requirements (applicable to projects of 4 or more units) will promote green spaces by requiring tree retention and replacement.
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Preparing for Climate Challenges: Kitsap's plan includes setting the framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate risks from rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
Key Changes to the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO):
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Wetlands and Buffers: Protections for small wetlands were improved.
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Stream Buffers: To improve water quality, wildlife habitat, and vegetation, buffers for fish-bearing streams will increase from 150 feet to 200 feet, and non-fish-bearing stream buffers will expand from 50 feet to 100 feet. There are certain urban standards that may reduce buffers.
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Long-Term Protection: New legal safeguards will ensure that restored sites stay healthy and protected when development impacts protected areas.
How Does This Affect You? If you're planning a project that falls under current rules, ensure your application is complete by 11:59 pm, March 31, 2025. This means submitting all required documents and plans before the deadline. If your application is deemed complete, you will have 7 days after it’s deemed complete, to pay your fees and remain vested to prior codes. Otherwise, you must submit your project again applying the new code.
For more information or to prepare your application, please visit our website at kcowa.us/dcd or contact our team at 360-337-5777.
These changes reflect a thoughtful balance between growth, environmental stewardship, and community well-being.
Thank you for being part of Kitsap's bright future.
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