Rural Lands Analysis

​​​​​​​​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 informed policy development, potential updates to the Rural and Resource Lands Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan, the review of deferred rural land-use reclassification requests, and the identification of 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. 



Meeting Dates and Materials

Date & Time
​Purpose​​
​Location
​Related Materials
​​Video
​February 17, 2026
​Planning Commission Briefing
​Kitsap County Admin Building
​Executive Summary
Presentation
Link​
​​​May 19, 2026
​Planning Commission Briefing
​Kitsap County Admin Building
​​Executive Summary
Presentation
​Link​


​​Outreach


​Working Groups​


​​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
  • 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​


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​​​Upcoming Meetings

Project Open House
July 8, 2026
5:30 - 7:00 pm

Kitsap County Administration Building
Commissioners' Chambers #380
619 Division St,
Port Orchard, WA 

More details coming soon. 

Project Documents

Related Links
TBD

​Contact
Heather Cleveland, Rural Land Analysis Project Administrator & Lead

Jason Robert Walsh, Salmon Recovery in Local Planning Project Manager

Department of Community Development
Long Range Planning
(360) 337-5777 (Kitsap 1)

Mailing Address
614 Division Street - MS36
Port Orchard, WA 98366

Office Location
619 Division Street, 2nd Floor
Port Orchard, WA

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