Kitsap County, WA Building Safety: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (2026)

120 of the Kitsap County Code triggers a retrofit sprinkler mandate for existing multi-family buildings rather than imposing it on every new residential structure. 010 as hotels, motels, apartment buildings, congregate residences and condominiums, that contain ten or more dwelling units. The trigger is financial: automatic fire sprinklers become mandatory when, within any three-year period, the building sustains damage exceeding fifty percent of its assessed value, or is remodeled to an extent exceeding fifty percent of its assessed value. 130 requires non-monitored fire alarm systems in Level II buildings and monitored systems with heat detectors in each unit for Level III buildings, both due by January 1, 2003, with the department of community development waiving permit fees for compliance installations.

090 conditions the chapter's certificate of compliance, issued by the fire marshal ("the chief"), on meeting every applicable requirement in the chapter, including the sprinkler trigger once it is met. 140, guided by Section 103 of the 1997 Uniform Fire Code. 10, the sprinkler requirement binds only unincorporated Kitsap County; Bremerton, Port Orchard, Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island apply their own adopted fire and building codes to sprinklers in their city limits.