Kitsap County, WA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing title
- KCC Title 12, Stormwater Management Ordinance
- Applicability
- All site development permits, unincorporated county
- Standards
- Kitsap County Stormwater Design Manual (incorporated)
- Repair notice window
- 30 days before notice of violation
- Enforcer
- Kitsap County Public Works (KCPW)
- Appeal deadline
- 20 days to request director meeting
Summary
Unincorporated Kitsap County requires a site development activity permit before any construction that involves drainage, under Title 12, the Stormwater Management Ordinance. Work must follow the county's Stormwater Design Manual, and public works can enforce against neglected drainage facilities with civil penalties.
The provisions of this title shall apply to all site development activities requiring land use permits and approvals as defined in Chapter 12.08, both public and private, within the bounds of unincorporated Kitsap County. The provisions of Chapter 12.24 (Operation and Maintenance) shall also apply to existing stormwater facilities in unincorporated Kitsap County. The provisions of Chapter 12.30 (Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination) shall apply to all situations and circumstances throughout unincorporated Kitsap County. No site development activities requiring land use permits and approvals shall be initiated prior to issuance of a site development activity permit.
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
010. 030, reaches all site development activities requiring land use permits and approvals, both public and private, within unincorporated Kitsap County, and bars any such activity from starting before a site development activity permit is issued. 020 and updated periodically as stormwater technology evolves. 30's illicit discharge prohibitions apply countywide in the unincorporated area, not just to new development. 04 process, but a variance requires proof of severe, unexpected economic hardship documented against six specific factors, including pre-project use, value loss and remaining feasible uses of the site.
100: it may inspect a stormwater facility that is abandoned, neglected or not functioning, and require the property owner to repair or maintain it within 30 days before a formal notice of violation issues.
Violations & Fines
If a property owner ignores a written repair notice within 30 days, KCPW may issue a notice of violation setting out the required corrective action, a deadline, and a civil penalty; unresolved cases go to the county prosecutor to collect the penalty. In emergencies posing a hazard to health, life, property or drainage capacity, the director may act directly and bill the owner for the reasonable cost. Owners can appeal a notice of violation to the director within 20 days and, if unsatisfied, to the Board of County Commissioners within 10 more days under § 12.36.110.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for drainage work in unincorporated Kitsap County?
Who enforces stormwater facility maintenance in Kitsap County?
Can I get relief from the stormwater manual's technical requirements?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kitsap County
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