Kitsap County, WA Environmental Rules: Defensible Space (2026)
Key Facts
- Clearance required
- 30 feet around the structure
- Credit for defensible space
- 25% or 125 gpm toward fire flow
- Total credit needed
- 500 gpm over 30 minutes
- Applies to
- One- and two-family dwellings only
- Jurisdiction
- Unincorporated Kitsap County only
- Governing table
- IFC Appendix B, Table B103.3
Summary
In unincorporated Kitsap County, a builder on a lot where water supply cannot deliver adequate fire flow can offset the shortfall under Table B103.3 of the amended International Fire Code: clearing defensible space within 30 feet of a one- or two-family home and planting fire-resistant landscaping earns a 25 percent, or 125-gallon-per-minute, credit toward the 500 gpm total required before a building permit proceeds.
Scope: The following fire protection development standards may apply to one- and two-family residential dwellings. Any combination of fire protection credits listed in the table can be used in areas where fire flow is inadequate or not available. The total fire protection credits shall equal or exceed 500 gallons per minute. ... 8.) Create defensible space within 30 feet around the structure. Use of fire-resistant landscaping plants and vegetation. 25% or 125 g.p.m. fire protection credit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4864424; v0 updated 2025-12-08; through 12-08-2025).
Full Breakdown
3, "Provisions for Approved Fire Protection in Areas Where Fire Flow Is Inadequate or Not Available," for one- and two-family dwellings. 1 (500 gpm for thirty minutes) as satisfied. Method 8 lets the property owner create defensible space within 30 feet of the structure and use fire-resistant landscaping plants and vegetation, earning a 25 percent, or 125-gpm, credit. That credit can be stacked with others in the same table: an automatic fire sprinkler system (up to 100 percent), an existing hydrant within 1,000 feet capable of 500 gpm for 30 minutes (100 percent), an NFPA 13D partial residential sprinkler system, a monitored fire alarm (25 percent), Class A or B noncombustible roofing, 5/8-inch Type X fire-rated sheetrock with automatic garage door closure, or ignition-resistant construction meeting the International Wildland Urban Interface Code (25 percent).
785, was last amended by Ordinance 638 (2025) Section 19, and it applies only to unincorporated Kitsap County; Bremerton, Port Orchard, Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island administer their own fire codes within city limits.
Violations & Fines
The county will not sign off on fire-flow compliance for a one- or two-family dwelling in a fire-flow-deficient area until the stacked credits from Table B103.3, including the 30-foot defensible-space clearance, reach 500 gallons per minute. Falling short holds the building permit; the applicant must add another qualifying measure, such as a residential fire sprinkler system, hydrant access, or fire-rated construction, to close the gap before the fire marshal will approve the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kitsap County require defensible space around every home?
How much credit does clearing defensible space earn?
What other measures can be combined with the defensible-space credit?
Does this rule apply inside Bremerton, Poulsbo or Port Orchard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kitsap County
Compare Kitsap County to another location·View the Washington environmental rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.