As winter approaches, we’re wrapping up a year of planning, learning, and community action across Kitsap County.




New Community Development banner
November 2025



As winter approaches, Kitsap County is wrapping up another busy year of planning, building, and community projects. Each effort reflects steady progress toward a more resilient and connected community.

The Year of the Rural project [ #link_1 ] continues refining how we plan for rural areas while keeping their character intact. Some reclassifications have been dismissed, and work on the equestrian code is on hold for now to allow more time for discussion. The Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on November 10, and the public can continue to provide feedback on the remaining draft language until that date.

To help projects move more smoothly, the County has expanded Hearing Examiner services [ #link_2 ] and adjusted related fees—helping applicants get decisions faster and keeping the permitting process accessible. We also completed processing on our first 2x6 application, marking a major milestone in the Permit Review Efficiency Plan (PREP) to streamline permits and improve coordination across divisions. More to come in our next issue.

We’re also celebrating the close of another great Read, Roam, Rules season [ #link_4 ]. This year’s walks and talks connected people to the planning ideas shaping Kitsap—from urban trees and housing to beavers and habitat. These community conversations show how learning together can help us plan for a stronger future.

We are laying out the process in improving stream and wetland maps data [ #link_5 ] so they better reflect actual site conditions. Property owners and qualified professionals can now request updates when mapped information doesn’t match what’s on the ground.

Finally, the Energize program [ #link_6 ] is helping bring sustainability home—supporting community buildings, care centers, and multifamily housing with grants for energy-efficient heat pumps and weatherization upgrades. These improvements lower costs, reduce emissions, and keep our neighbors comfortable year-round.

Year of the Rural Update


room full of attendees viewing a presentation

Year of the Rural meeting in Kingston - March 2025

Continuing the Conversation

Kitsap County’s *Year of the Rural* [ [link removed] ] initiative has generated strong community interest, and for good reason. The project addresses how we plan for and protect the rural areas and resources that make Kitsap County unique.

Over the past year, residents may have seen news stories about reclassification requests and the Equestrian Facility Code, two topics that have drawn significant public attention.

To clarify:


* *Rural Reclassifications* that proposed more dense housing outside of urban growth areas have been dismissed, as the County’s comprehensive plan continues to focus on infill within urban areas rather than expanding density in rural zones.
* The *Equestrian Facility Code* has been postponed to 2026 to allow more time for engagement, discussion, and refinement. The Board of County Commissioners directed staff to separate this code work from the rest of the Year of the Rural project to give it the focused attention it deserves.

Meanwhile, the broader Year of the Rural continues. The Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on November 10 to hear feedback on the draft documents listed below. You can share your comments anytime through November 10.


* 2025 Draft Rural and Resource Lands Chapter

* 2025 Draft Reclassification Staff Report
* 2025 Draft Agriculture Code
* 2025 Draft Child Care Code

Every conversation helps shape rural Kitsap. Your feedback continues to guide this process as we balance rural character, working lands, and community needs.

Learn more and share your input at kcowa.us/YOTR [ [link removed] ].



County Expands Capacity for Hearing Examiner Services and Lowers Associated Fees
Hearing Examiner

To improve the efficiency of the Type III land use application public hearing process, Kitsap County has expanded its Hearing Examiner services by adding a second Hearing Examiner. This enhancement will help minimize scheduling delays for projects that require public hearings. 

In addition to increased capacity, the County has implemented a new fixed-rate fee structure through updated contracts with both Hearing Examiners. This change results in reduced fees for all 16 types of Hearing Examiner decisions, as well as the introduction of a new fee for prehearing conferences. 

Applicants who submitted eligible applications on or after April 1, 2024, may see adjusted fees or receive refunds. 

These changes reflect the County’s ongoing commitment to delivering efficient and transparent public services. 

Learn more about the fees, contracts, and policies on our website [ [link removed] ]. 







Read, Roam, Rules Wrap Up
Beaver Walk Group Photo [ [link removed] ]

Our final read and roam have wrapped for the year. We are celebrating a year of learning—pairing great reads with on-the-ground conversations about how community planning can shape daily life in Kitsap County.

*We kicked off with trees.* Our urban tree canopy walk explored tree retention and neighborhood resilience, grounded by "Braiding Sweetgrass" and its call for reciprocity with the natural world.

*We dug into housing.* Mid-year, our walk & talk centered on "Homelessness is a Housing Problem", connecting organizations, practical planning tools, zoning, and partnerships that expand housing options and stability.

*We closed with beavers.* In the evening hours, we followed the work of nature’s engineers, then discussed "The Beaver Manifesto" and how habitat and neighborhood design intersect.

Across these events, residents, planners, partners, and book lovers traded questions, stories, and ideas—turning pages into places and policy into plain language.

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Join Us in 2026

"Read, Roam, Rules" returns next year with new routes, reads, and themes. Whether you’re a curious neighbor or a subject-matter pro, there’s a spot for you on the trail.


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Watch for the 2026 lineup and registration at kitsap.gov/dcd or in your email inbox when you subscribe to Community Development news


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Follow us on Facebook (Kitsap County Government) for first notice when walks and talks open


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Bring a friend—registrations fill fast!

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Thank You

To everyone who showed up in sun, rain, and headlamps: thank you. Your questions and insights make this a community classroom—and help shape a more connected, informed Kitsap County. See you in 2026!



Keeping Data Current: Stream and Wetland Data Updates
closeup view of stream over rock in forested area

Our maps work best when they reflect what’s truly on the ground. That’s why Kitsap County is introducing a way for property owners, consultants, and partner agencies to request updates to stream and wetland information.

Over time, environmental conditions can change—or the data that represent them can improve through new fieldwork and analysis. Updating this information helps ensure that critical areas and development reviews are based on accurate, science-based data, not outdated mapping.

 

Stream Data Updates

If a mapped stream doesn’t match what’s on your property—or if a water type classification seems incorrect—there is now a clear process to request a Stream Layer Update. These updates align County maps with verified data from the Washington Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and local tribal biologists.

 

Wetland Data Updates

Similarly, Wetland Data Updates allow property owners to submit new delineation reports from qualified specialists when wetlands have been identified, modified, or determined to be absent. This ensures our maps display verified wetland boundaries supported by current fieldwork and County review.

 

Why These Updates Matter

Accurate environmental data benefit everyone—property owners, planners, developers, and the community at large. When map layers reflect real site conditions, it improves the predictability and efficiency of permit reviews, supports better protection of natural resources, and strengthens confidence in the County’s mapping tools.

More details on how to submit stream and wetland updates—including required forms, review steps, and timelines—will be available soon at kitsap.gov/dcd [ [link removed] ].

Stay tuned for the official launch announcement and step-by-step guidance in the coming weeks.



Help Your Community Energize!
home wrapped up in scarf

Kitsap County is partnering with neighboring counties on Energize, a regional program that helps local government entities, nonprofits, care providers, and affordable multifamily housing owners make energy-saving upgrades to existing buildings.

The program funds improvements such as high-efficiency heat pumps, insulation, and ventilation systems that make buildings more comfortable, lower energy bills, and improve air quality.

*Eligible applicants include:*


* Local governments and community organizations
* Licensed adult family homes and family home childcares
* Owners and operators of affordable multifamily housing

*Application windows:*


* *Multifamily Homes:* Opens November 2025
* *Community Spaces, Adult Care Homes, and Child Cares:* Early 2026

Learn more and sign up for updates here: Energize Program Overview – King County Climate Office [ [link removed] ]


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*Subscribe [ [link removed] ]* to Community Development News.


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

"Media Contact: Alicia Adler <[email protected]>"



*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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