September 2023

A Permit's Journey - Peninsula Home & Garden Seminar

This month we return to our permit’s journey, a series that began in January 2023. Our permit has passed successfully through Intake and went Under Review or Technical Review. This means that we are amid concurrent review of the documents we submitted. Previously, we discussed stormwater review.  

Reminder: This is a generic example of a Single-Family Residence permit being constructed in unincorporated Kitsap County. The process in your city may vary. You should check with them to verify the process.

Environmental and Zoning Review

Nearly all of our permits, new builds, decks, remodels, etc., will have these reviews on their submitted documents.

In environmental review, we check for clear identification of critical areas and their buffers. We will also review the corresponding reports for the identified critical area(s). Many sites require clearing to accomplish the construction such as the installation of a septic and other ground disturbing activities. During this review, we also check that clearing limits are marked on the site plan. Any additional permits needed for timber removal will be addressed and/or requested at the time of review.

Zoning review will vary depending on the location of your project. The review is looking at allowed uses, setbacks, verifying easements, and parking spaces. You can view more about zoning by using parcel search or the zoning quick reference guide.

We use a combination of electronic maps such as Google Earth spanning over years of the parcel, site visits, and information you provide to review projects.

A detailed, clear site plan is the best way to get through this review period. Use the checklist on our site plan brochure (link below) to submit the best application. On the submissions form, there is a place to include project details. Include a descriptive story or statement to detail your project. The abundance of information up-front saves you time later in the process.

Resources

• Building Site Plan
• Critical Areas
• Is My Lot Buildable?
• Parcel Search
• Residential Setbacks
• Zoning Quick Reference

The Wildland Urban Interface Code (WUIC) is expected to be in effect for all building permits requested on October 29, 2023, and beyond, along with the other updated building codes. We'd like to share information to help you understand the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).

The WUI is the zone where natural landscapes and human development intersect or intermingle. These areas are particularly susceptible to wildfires due to the proximity of flammable vegetation to human infrastructure. These areas are expanding with population growth, and urban sprawl, as more people choose to live in or near natural landscapes. Managing wildfires in the WUI can be challenging and fires can spread rapidly putting lives and property at risk.

The Wildland Urban Interface Code (WUIC)

• Establishes regulations to safeguard life and property from the intrusion of wildland fire and to prevent structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels.
• Regulates defensible space, and provides ignition-resistant construction requirements to protect against fire exposure and resist ignition by burning embers.
• Provides standards for emergency access, water supply and fire protection.
• Provides requirements for automatic fire suppression and safe storage practices.

If you are considering a project in the upcoming year, you will want to join us to understand how your build may be impacted by WUIC. Please subscribe to Community Development News to get more information on an upcoming Q&A.

Phase 2 Begins

Kitsap County’s 2024 Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) periodic update is now in phase two! The Technical Advisory Working Groups have successfully completed the first round of review and discussion of the Best Available Science (BAS) summary and the Gap Analysis report.

County staff have presented each Community Advisory Council (Manchester, Central Kitsap, Suquamish, and Kingston) with an overview of the project and what can be expected in the coming months. Written summaries for each meeting, along with meeting materials, are available on the CAO Update webpage.

The next round of review and discussion for the working groups is anticipated for mid-Fall 2023.

For questions or comments, please email codeupdates@kitsap.gov.

Best Management Practices (BMP) in Level 2 Season

Between October 1st and April 30th, it is Level 2 season, where construction sites must provide ongoing and continuous best management practices (BMP) if active construction occurs during Western Washington's wet season.

This means:

• Increased emphasis on erosion control with every visit to a site,
• Any bare earth not actively being worked within 48 hours shall be covered,
• Sediment and runoff on sites must be contained,
• BMPs on site need to be closely inspected for proper installation.

Typical BMPs for Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control

• Silt Fence: BMP C233
• Construction Entrance: BMP C105
• Straw and Wood Mulch: BMP C121
• Straw/Jute Net & Matting: BMP C122
• Plastic Covering: BMP C123
• Inlet Protection: BMP C220

You can view proper and improper examples of BMP installation in this presentation.

Kitsap County’s Comprehensive Plan Update continues in full swing!

On August 30, 2023, County Staff held a virtual public meeting to provide an overview and facilitate discussion of the Housing, Economic Development, and Land Use elements of the Comprehensive Plan Update. A recording of this meeting is available on Kitsap County’s YouTube page here, and the presentation slides and discussion questions can be found on our Comprehensive Plan Update webpage under Past Events.

Join us on Thursday, September 14 at 6:00pm for another virtual presentation and discussion of the Climate Change, Environment, and Transportation elements of the plan. Information on how to join the upcoming meeting can be found on the right-hand side of our Comprehensive Plan Update webpage under Upcoming Events.

For questions, comments, or feedback please email compplan@kitsap.gov.

Kitsap County Remains in a Stage 2 Burn Ban

Under a Stage 2 Burn Ban, all outdoor burning – including recreational fires – is prohibited. The ban includes recreational fires in the open – like those on beaches or bonfire locations, improved firepits in yards, parks or camping areas, backyards, or other outdoor fireplaces or similar in improved firepits, backyard fireplaces, beach or bonfires, are prohibited. Burning permits are suspended, all outdoor burning is suspended, recreational burning is now prohibited, including those in improved fire pits in parks or campgrounds, outdoor fireplaces, and similar appliances, and the use of charcoal or charcoal briquettes unless the use involves a barbeque or other appliances specific for the purpose and occurs over a non-combustible surface like concrete. Subscribe to stay current on burn bans or visit the Kitsap County Fire Marshal's site: kcowa.us/burnban.

Important Calendar Dates

September 4th - Labor Day - Offices Closed

September 14th - Comprehensive Plan Update - Climate Change, Environment and Transportation

October - Community Planning Month

October 29th - New Building Codes Implemented

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Kitsap County Department of Community Development
614 Division Street - MS36
Port Orchard, WA 98366

Media Contact: Alicia Adler

KITSAP COUNTY
Kitsap County government exists to protect and promote the safety, health and welfare of our citizens in an efficient, accessible and effective manner.

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.