On June 28, 2021, the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance locally adopting Kitsap County's Shoreline Master Program, Title 22 Kitsap County Code, and amending provisions of Titles 19 Critical Areas Ordinance and 21 Land Use & Development Procedures. Following local adoption, the SMP was forwarded to the Washington State Department of Ecology for review and final action in accordance with WAC 173-26-110. The Department of Ecology announced final approval of the Kitsap County Shoreline Master Program periodic review amendment on September 23, 2021. Ecology finds the County's amendments consistent with the policy and procedural requirements of the Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58) and its implementing rules.
On October 7, 2021, the Ordinance became effective.
The proposed amendments are part of the County's periodic review of its Shoreline Master Program, which is required every eight years by state law.
Learn About the Amendments
The three goals of the Kitsap County Shoreline Master Program periodic review is to ensure consistency with state laws and guidelines that are in effect at this time, ensure consistency with the County's comprehensive plan and updates to development regulations, and provide clarifications to improve usability and predictability for permit applicants and permit reviewers. To learn more about scope of proposed amendments to the Shoreline Master Program, review the Consistency Analysis Report. The Scoping Matrix provides a summary of proposed code amendments.
Planning Commission DeliberationThe Kitsap County Planning Commission hosted a 30-day public comment with a joint public hearing with the Washington State Department of Ecology on March 2, 2021. Following, the Planning Commission held two deliberation meetings on March 16th and April 6th on the proposed code amendments and to consider public comments and testimonies received. On April 20, 2021, the Planning Commission approved findings of fact, conclusions, and recommendations on the proposed code amendments to the Shoreline Master Program.
Planning Commission Findings of Fact and Recommendation
To find information about the Planning Commission deliberation please visit: https://www.kitsapgov.com/dcd/Pages/PlanningCommission.aspx
Public Participation Plan
Meeting Dates
Periodic Review Timeline: September 2020 – June 2021
PHASE 1: PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND INITIATE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
October - December 2020
October
2020
| November 2020
| December 2020
|
|---|
| Develop Public Participation Plan
Complete Consistency Analysis Report Engage with key partners and interested parties
Online open house kick-off
|
PHASE 2: DEVELOP CODE AMENDMENTS
January 2021
| Draft code amendments Study session with Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners
Engage with key partners and interested parties Online open house refresh with draft code amendments
|
PHASE 3: REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
February - April 2021 February
2021
| March
2021
| April
2021
|
| Joint Kitsap County Planning Commission and State Department of Ecology public hearing and comment period
State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
Engage with key partners and interested parties
Department responds to public comments
|
PHASE 4: ADOPTION
May - June 2021
| Submit draft amendments and checklist to Ecology for review
Revise documents as needed Board of County Commissioners public hearing and comment period
Department responds to public comments
Board of County Commissioners review and adoption
Submit final draft and checklist to Ecology for final determination
|
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Kitsap County’s shorelines provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, economic diversity, and recreational opportunities used by residents of all ages. Shorelines play an important role in enhancing the quality of life for our County’s citizens. Therefore, the purpose of the Master Program is to guide the future development of the shorelines in Kitsap County in a manner consistent with the Shoreline Management Act of 1971, (the "Act.") The Act and this Program comprise the basic state and county law regulating use of shorelines in the county.
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