 May 2025
Spring is a time for growth—and this month’s newsletter is blooming with updates that matter. We’re excited to share the launch of Phase 1 of the 2x6 Permit Review Efficiency Plan, along with what’s coming next to help you build smarter and faster. You’ll also find information about our submission guidelines, a new name for our walk-and-talk program (Read, Roam, Rules), important info on noxious weed disposal, a preview of Building Safety Month activities, and information about Silverdale Center Plan.
There’s a lot to dig into—let’s get started.
PREP Progress: Phase 1 Begins,
More Improvements Ahead
We’re making substantial progress on the Permit Review Efficiency Plan (PREP)—a phased approach to building a faster, more transparent, and predictable permit process for everyone.
✅ Phase 1: Complete In March, we launched the 2x6 Review Model for certain Site Development Activity Permits (SDAPs)* submitted on or after March 31, 2025. This new structure emphasizes complete applications and focused review timelines—two review cycles, each lasting six weeks—aligning with the timelines of Senate Bill 5209 and laying the groundwork for improved efficiency.
Phase 2: Opens June 2, 2025 Next, the 2x6 model expands to Plats. Starting June 2, newly submitted plat applications will follow the same two-cycle/six-weeks-per-cycle structure, providing applicants with a more predictable process.
Phase 3: Opens August 11, 2025 In Phase 3, the 2x6 model will extend to Land Use permits beginning August 11. With all phases now in place, the 2x6 review process is fully implemented and ready to support a more efficient review for key permit types.
More Than Just Phases While 2x6 is being phased in, we’re also releasing and improving tools based on feedback to close gaps identified in the efficiency plan. A key priority is helping applicants submit strong, complete applications from the start—reducing the need for multiple revisions and avoiding delays.
Resources to Support You Checklists, report maps, and submittal guides with intake standards are available—and growing! These tools are designed to make it easier to meet requirements upfront and keep your project on track. You can find these resources on our Permit Pathways page.
🌐 Stay Connected Visit the PREP website for updates and timelines. We appreciate your partnership as we implement each phase and continue working toward a smoother, more efficient permit process.
*Please review the 2x6 FAQs for any SDAPs excluded from this list.
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Beginning May 1, 2025, we’ll start formally enforcing our current submittal standards to make sure applications are complete, consistent, and ready for review the first time they’re submitted.
These standards aren’t new but following them will help reduce delays for everyone. Clear expectations help your project—and others—move forward more smoothly.
📍 Where to Find the Requirements
All the details are in the Submittal Success Guide, available on our Permit Pathways page. This guide walks you through what’s needed for a complete application. The Permit Pathways page also includes links to Intake Checklists and other helpful tools.
✅ Why It Matters
When your application meets the standards:
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You get faster feedback, fewer delays.
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Staff can focus on reviewing—not fixing—applications
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The process is fair and consistent for everyone
📅 What’s Changing on May 1
Starting May 1, applications that don’t meet the required submittal standards will be returned with notes for correction before review can begin.
We’re Here to Help
If you’re unsure what applies to your project, the Permit Pathways page is a great place to start. And as always, our team is available to answer your questions and help guide you through the process.
Let’s keep things moving—together.
 We’re proud to unveil the fresh new logo for Read, Roam, Rules—our community-powered program that brings planning, policy, and place to life through walking tours, thoughtful reads, and meaningful conversations. The new look reflects the spirit of our region—urban, rural, and everything in between—and we’re excited to keep growing together!
📚 Get Ready to Join the Conversation!
In May, we’re focusing on housing—what works, what doesn’t, and what’s next. Here’s how you can get involved:
👟 Walk with Us
Join our next Roam—a 2-mile loop exploring local housing projects, including a county shelter and affordable housing sites. It’s a great way to connect, learn, and see solutions in action.
📖 Read & Discuss
We’re hosting a book club workshop in partnership with the Kitsap Regional Library. It will take place at the Port Orchard Library on Tuesday, May 13, featuring Homelessness is a Housing Problem. Come dive into how housing policy shapes real lives—and what we can do about it.
Free Books!
Want to join the conversation? Pick up a free copy of the book at the Port Orchard Library or the Department of Community Development lobby while supplies last.
Come be part of the story—because planning is for everyone.
Cost to attend the events are FREE! Get more information and register today.
Let’s walk, read, and build a better future, together.
Kitsap County has officially proclaimed May 2025 as Building Safety Month by resolution, joining the International Code Council (ICC) and communities across the country in spotlighting the importance of building codes in protecting lives and property.
This year’s national theme is “Game On!” — and we’re leveling up community awareness with weekly online content that breaks down key safety topics, shares tips, and highlights how codes keep our homes and businesses safe.
Follow Along Online on Social Media
Each week in May, we’ll be sharing themed posts on social media that explore critical building safety issues.
Your Story Could Make a Difference
We’re still collecting questions for our Building Official and real-life stories from you. Have building codes or an inspection helped prevent disaster or improve safety at your home or business? Tell us your story or send us your question — and if we feature it, you’ll receive a gift card!
🛍️ Catch Us at the Farmers Markets!
Join us in person to talk codes, ask questions, and enter to win a prize at one of our Building Safety Month booths:
🎉 It’s all part of helping our community stay safe, informed, and empowered. Follow Kitsap County on social media to stay updated as we roll out new content, highlight stories from our inspectors, and celebrate the behind-the-scenes work that makes a big difference.
Game on for safety — let’s build a stronger Kitsap together!
 The evolution of Silverdale Center is a key aspect of the County and Regional Growth Strategy. The Plan will guide the transformation of the Center from a collection of strip malls and office buildings into a more livable, walkable, sustainable, and balanced, mixed use urban area serving everyday essentials to residents, employees, and visitors.
Plan Update
• Update the community vision, goals, policies, and strategies
• Add detail with action items and projects
• Identify new civic spaces, parks, community centers, etc.
• Identify and locate multi-modal transportation needs
• Placemaking and public investments
• Develop a new wayfinding framework
Design Standards Update
• Update and codify design standards to reflect new community vision
• Standards and diagrams for parking, landscaping, block frontage, etc.
• Identify options for constrained parcel redevelopment
• Consolidate design districts from 9 to 3 or 4
• Major projects mapping for “Main Street” type development
Please contact us via email at compplan@kitsap.gov for more information, visit the website to sign up for future notifications, and a community visioning survey coming soon.
Kitsap County Department of Community Development
614 Division Street - MS36
Port Orchard, WA 98366
Media Contact: Alicia Adler
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The mission of the Department of Community Development is to foster the development of quality, affordable, structurally safe and environmentally sound communities.
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