Kitsap County, Washington

Comprehensive Plan

Photo by Mike Boz

Where are the Urban Growth Areas Located?

City of Poulsbo

City of Bainbridge Island

City of Bremerton

City of Port Orchard

Bremerton East UGA

Bremerton West UGA

Central Kitsap

Gorst UGA

Kingston UGA

Silverdale UGA

Poulsbo Urban Growth Area (UTA)

Port Orchard UGA

Puget Sound Industrial Center - Bremerton

City of Poulsbo

Poulsbo, Washington is located in the northern part of Kitsap County and is 4.5 square miles in area. Liberty Bay, originally called Dog Fish Bay, and the majestic, snow-peaked Olympic Mountains to the west induced the Scandinavians to settle in Poulsbo because the area was so similar to the fjords of Norway. Today Poulsbo is a thriving community with many amenities that attract tourists and encourage people to move to this area. With its picturesque downtown core of rosemaled storefronts and shopping areas at Poulsbo Village, along Viking Avenue, and in College Market Place, Poulsbo offers much to citizens and guests alike. These include several beautiful parks throughout the city, a boardwalk along Liberty Bay, the Valborg Oyen Public Library, three marinas, interesting gift shops, delicious bakeries, good schools including the Olympic College satellite campus, and panoramic views of Liberty Bay and the Olympic Mountains.

City of Bainbridge Island

As you approach Bainbridge Island by ferry or bridge, glimpse the quiet harbors and homes along the rocky shoreline and the densely forested hills. This vibrant, diverse community, rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, is ready for you to explore. Located 35 minutes by ferry from Seattle, the island enjoys a wonderful combination of farms, wineries, hiking trails, scenic vistas, and local arts. While you're discovering the island's charms, you'll surely find your way through the town center, known as Winslow. Despite Bainbridge Island's growth from a small town of 2 square miles and 3,147 people, the city, with input from the community, has managed to preserve its friendly aura, small-town charm, and natural environments. Islanders value the sense of country living and quick access to Seattle's business and cultural resources.

City of Bremerton

A one hour ferry ride - or thirty minute fast ferry ride - from downtown Seattle, Bremerton is truly a beautiful city. Guests enjoy the Kitsap Conference Center, two hotels, fine dining, coffee shops, cafes and the Port of Bremerton Marina in the downtown Harborside area. City of Bremerton invites you to enjoy a stroll through the Arts District, Bremerton Naval Museum, Boardwalk, Harborside Fountain Park and PSNS Memorial Plaza. Or, walk across the Manette Bridge for more cafes and shopping. A few blocks north of downtown is the beautiful Evergreen Rotary Park. If you love golf, don't miss the city-owned Gold Mountain Golf Course which includes two 18-hole championship courses. 

City of Port Orchard

Port Orchard is conveniently located on the Kitsap Peninsula between the urban settings of Seattle-Tacoma, and the rain forests and beaches of the Olympic National Park. As the Peninsula is almost entirely surrounded by water, it is a perfect destination for boaters and water sports, and recently became one of the few places in the country to feature a nationally recognized water trail for paddlers. Downtown Port Orchard features a collection of eclectic boutiques, antiques, and collectible shops where merchants offer a mix of designer goods as well at retro items. There is also a wonderful collection of games and toys for the whole family. The Bay Street Pedestrian Path is a beautiful winding pathway that offers views of the Olympic Mountains and Naval Shipyard. The path extends along the waterfront and can be enjoyed by walking, biking or running, and is pet friendly.

Bremerton East UGA

Bremerton East is located northeast of Bremerton. The Port Washington Narrows bisects the City of Bremerton and feeds into Dyes Inlet, north of Bremerton and south of Silverdale. This geographic separation creates a northeastern portion of the City. The Bremerton East UGA provides residents access to retail and services along Perry Avenue. The majority of the UGA consists of residential neighborhoods that offer quick access to area amenities and employment. The Bremerton East UGA is recognized for future annexation by the City of Bremerton. 

Bremerton West UGA

Bremerton West is located west of Bremerton and includes multiple neighborhoods that are each surrounded by the city. These neighborhoods include the Rocky Point peninsula, Sherman Heights, West Hills, and areas northwest of Navy Yard City. These neighborhoods offer a mix of single-family homes, apartments, retail and service businesses, and light industrial uses. The Bremerton West UGA is recognized for future annexation by the City of Bremerton

Central Kitsap

The Central Kitsap Urban Growth Area (UGA), located immediately north of the City of Bremerton and Bremerton East UGA, is bisected by State Route 303, Wheaton Way. The Illahee community is located on the east side of the Central Kitsap UGA and contains an abundance of natural resources, which include Illahee State Park, Illahee Creek, and the Illahee Preserve; three miles of pristine waterfront; two major docks; and much more. On the western boundary of the Central Kitsap UGA, the Tracyton community is located on the east shoreline of Dyes Inlet and offers diverse residential neighborhoods and water access.  

Gorst UGA

Gorst is located on Sinclair Inlet between Bremerton and Port Orchard. State Route 3 and State Route 16 intersect at the core of the community. This transportation interchange provides access for county residents, commuters, and military personnel traveling to major job centers in the county. A railroad also traverses Gorst connecting the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard with the Bangor submarine facility and the Port of Shelton. The community vision is one of careful balance; managing its valuable role as a transportation lynchpin for Kitsap County along with responsible stewardship for its significant natural environment. The Gorst UGA is recognized for future annexation by the City of Bremerton

Kingston UGA

The Kingston Urban Growth Area is the northernmost in Kitsap County. It is located on the shores of Appletree Cove. This High-Capacity Transit Center hosts a Washington State ferry terminal and passenger-only ferry service. It is a major transportation hub that connects Kingston and Kitsap County to King and Snohomish counties.

Silverdale UGA

Silverdale is the geographic center of Kitsap County and is the retail and medical hub of the county. The Silverdale Urban Growth Area (UGA) includes a marina on Dyes inlet, a destination commercial core offering a mix of retail and services, residential neighborhoods with diverse housing options, and office and medical service providers. The Clear Creek corridor, the largest creek corridor in the Silverdale UGA, flows south through the community core, and includes multiple public access points to the Clear Creek trail system

Poulsbo Urban Growth Area (UTA)

Poulsbo’s Urban Growth Area (UGA), also known as the Poulsbo Urban Transition Area, is comprised of lands adjacent to the City of Poulsbo. The associated UGA consists primarily of single-family residential and light industrial land uses.  To ensure consistent development over time, areas within the Poulsbo UGA are subject to an interlocal agreement with City of Poulsbo addressing development standards. The Poulsbo UGA is recognized for future annexation by the City of Poulsbo. 

Port Orchard UGA

The Port Orchard UGA surrounds the City of Port Orchard, the southernmost incorporated city in Kitsap County.  The Port Orchard UGA is associated with the City and planned for future annexation. It offers residents and visitors access to several commercial corridors located on Mile Hill Drive, Sedgwick Road and Bethel Road. The South Kitsap Regional Park is also located in the Port Orchard UGA and provides the surrounding community access to ballfields, biking and walking trails, a skate park, and a playground. The Port Orchard UGA is recognized for future annexation by the City of Port Orchard. 

Puget Sound Industrial Center - Bremerton

The Puget Sound Industrial Center – Bremerton (PSIC-Bremerton) is located southwest of the City of Bremerton and is bisected by State Route 3. Within the Puget Sound Region, PSIC-Bremerton is recognized as an important industrial employment center. The majority of the PSIC - Bremerton UGA was annexed by the city in multiple phases between 2008 and 2009 but small portions of the center remain within Kitsap County. The PSIC - Bremerton UGA is recognized for future annexation by the City of Bremerton

Rural Areas

Rural Areas

Rural areas and communities where unique historical characters, appearances, functions, and pioneering spirits are retained and enhanced.

Rural Areas

Natural resource activities, such as forestry, agriculture, and mining continue to contribute to the rural character and economy

Rural Areas

Rural recreation opportunities are enhanced, including equestrian facilities, trails, and others.

Housing and Human Services

Housing and Human Services

Residential communities that are attractive, affordable, diverse, and livable supported by appropriate urban or rural services. A variety of housing choices are available, meeting a full range of resident income levels and preferences.

Housing and Human Services

Residents are able to walk or use multi-model transportation options between neighborhoods and to community destinations. Policy guidance or program support for the county’s most at-risk populations

Open Space

Open Space

An open space network – including greenbelts, wildlife habitat, forested areas, and active and passive parks – that is accessible, interconnected, provides opportunities for recreation and defines and distinguishes urban and rural areas.

Economic Development

Economic Development

A stable, prosperous and diversified economy that provides living wage jobs for residents, supported by adequate land for a range of employment uses and that encourages accomplishment of local economic development goals. 

Environment

Environment

Natural ecosystems including interconnected wetlands, streams, wildlife habitat, and water quality that are rehabilitated, protected and enhanced and that allow for flexible and innovative development to meet environmental and growth goals.

In developed areas, the growth pattern supports conservation of non-renewable energy and minimizes impacts on air quality and climate.

Transportation

Transportation

An efficient, flexible, and coordinated multi-modal transportation system – including roads, bridges and highways, ferries, transit, and non-motorized travel – that provides interconnectivity and mobility for county residents and supports our urban and rural land use pattern.

Public Service and Facilities

Public Service and Facilities

 Public services and facilities – including, but not limited to, parks and recreation, law enforcement, fire protection, emergency preparedness, water/sewer, roads, transit, non-motorized facilities, ferries, stormwater management, education, library services, health and human services, energy, telecommunications, etc. – are provided in an efficient, high-quality and timely manner by the County and its partner agencies.

 Public services and facilities are monitored, maintained and enhanced to meet quality service standards.

County Government

 County government that is accountable and accessible; encourages citizen participation; seeks to operate as efficiently as possible; and works with citizens, governmental entities and tribal governments to meet collective needs fairly while respecting individual and property rights.

How often does the Comprehensive Plan get changed?

Major Comprehensive Plan updates are mandated by the state every eight years

Between major updates, the County may choose to consider minor amendments to the Plan on an annual basis.

Other amendments, such as to resolve an appeal, can be processed at any time.

How does the comprehensive plan affect me?

A Comprehensive Plan allows the public to voice how it wants Kitsap County to look and function in the future.

Throughout the scoping, development and analysis process of the Plan, the County will look to its citizens to help determine the Plan's goals and objectives by capturing the priorities of a community, and by listening to the communities visions on shaping it's appearance for the future.

How Do I Get Involved?

for Kitsap County's Electronic Notification System to get email or text updates.

Select the Comprehensive Plan listed under Community Development!

 

Kitsap County, Washington

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