Project Overview
The purpose of the Rural Lands Analysis project is to evaluate existing rural land use patterns, policies, and regulatory frameworks in unincorporated Kitsap County and to provide a clear analytical foundation for future rural planning decisions. The project will support recommendations for informed program and policy development, potential future updates to the Rural and Resource Lands Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan and the identification of future targeted code improvements.
This effort is informed by prior rural planning initiatives, including the Year of the Rural, but is a distinct project focused on analysis, documentation, and implementation support rather than a comprehensive plan update on its own.
Within the Rural Lands Analysis, the Salmon Recovery in Local Planning Project will identify strategies in local salmon recovery plans that intersect with land-use planning and policy implementation in Kitsap County. By linking the goals of salmon recovery to the County’s long-range planning framework, this effort will strengthen alignment among ecological health, rural character, and community resilience.
Upcoming Meetings
Planning Commission Briefing
August 18th, 2026
Kitsap County Administration Building
Commissioners' Chambers #380
619 Division St
Port Orchard, WA 98366
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The Salmon Recovery in Local Planning project is supported with funding from Washington's Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington's climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov. |
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Meeting Dates and Materials
Outreach
Coming Soon!
Working Groups
Agriculture Advisory Council
Advises Commissioners and County staff on agricultural policy, land use, education, and economic opportunities while providing a forum to support the long-term sustainability and resilience of the County’s agricultural community.
| Forestry Working Group
Serve as a working-advisory body to review and provide feedback on Kitsap County's analysis of working forests and forest lands and identify potential recommendations and actions.
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Salmon Recovery Team
Collaborates with County staff, consultants, and salmon recovery partners to evaluate data and develop land use, preservation, and recovery recommendations that support rural planning and habitat protection.
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Technical & Policy Advisory Committee
Will provide a cross-section of perspectives to examine analysis, advise on key issues, and review recommendations connecting forestry, agriculture, salmon recovery, and development considerations.
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Scope of Work
The project scope includes, but is not limited to:
- Review of existing rural and resource lands policies and plans
- Inventory and analysis of rural land use patterns and distributions
- Inventory and analysis of existing salmon recovery plans and data sets
- Evaluation of rural housing types and trends
- Review of rural economies and rural-serving land uses
- Assessment of public facilities, services, and infrastructure in rural areas
- Identification of focus areas and emerging issues
- Development of analytical frameworks and metrics
- Preparation of technical memoranda and summary reports
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Support for rural land use reclassification review
- Identification of potential policy and code considerations
The project does not include adoption of Comprehensive Plan or code amendments but provides analysis and recommendations to support future actions.
Project Timeline
