The goal of a Comprehensive Plan Update is to add, edit, or remove goals, policies, strategies, and concepts based on new priorities, new state requirements, and public input.
In reviewing and updating the elements, County staff used the following resources:
- A Gap analysis that identified where revisions were needed in order to be consistent with Multicounty Policies (MPPs) in VISION 2050 and Countywide Planning Policies (CPP).
- The Department of Commerce Periodic Update Checklist to ensure consistency with the Growth Management Act and state requirements.
- Input received during public outreach meetings and input received from the County's internal working group various departments of the County and external service providers.
Because this version of the plan is this chapter is a “repeal and replace” of the previous version, it cannot easily be directly compared. However, the summary below describes the areas where significant changes were made to content.
Land Use
 The Land Use Element's intent is to direct the majority of growth toward urban areas, provide greater distinction between urban and rural areas, guide land use patterns to allow for the efficient provision of urban services such as sewers and transportation systems, preserve open space, recognize and preserve historical and archaeological resources, and ensure compatibility between adjacent zones. When reading each comprehensive plan element, you will see a series of goals, policies, and strategies. Goals and policies are aspirational in nature and reflect the vision and intent of the County. Strategies are more actionable and achievable in nature. Each goal will have its own set of policies and strategies.
- Urban Growth Areas that are accessible by multi-modal transportation and include a mix of services, shopping, entertainment, recreation, educational facilities, and housing of different types and at different levels of affordability.
- Protect rural character by directing development to Urban Growth Areas.
- Provide for agricultural activities throughout the County.
- Protect mineral and timber resource lands.
- Ensure land use decisions have equitable impacts and outcomes.
- Promote a built environment that enables healthy living.
Economic Development
 The Economic Development element aims to encourage economic development in Kitsap County that considers the regional economic context and is suited to the unique conditions of the county. The element is designed to build capacity and guide the economic prosperity and resiliency of Kitsap County. The Economic Development goals, policies, and strategies provide the framework to improve and sustain Kitsap County's fiscal, economic, and social conditions utilizing local resources, partnerships, and economic opportunities.
- Retention and recruitment of locally, women-, and minority-owned small businesses and start-ups and established and emerging industries, technologies, and services that promote environmental sustainability.
- Strategies to expand access to opportunity.
- Strategies to address and prevent commercial displacement.
- Promotion of environmental and socially responsible business practices that address climate change and improve health outcomes.
- Recognition of the contributions of the region's culturally and ethnically diverse communities, institutions, and Native Tribes.
Environment The purpose of this chapter is to provide the goals, direction, and path for the future of sustaining natural environments in Kitsap County.
Kitsap County recognizes the importance of protecting the natural environment while providing for the needs of the growing number of residents and businesses that call this place home. Ecosystems such as forest lands, shorelines, freshwater systems, and other areas all make up the natural environment of Kitsap County. Human well-being depends on a healthy, natural environment to provide for clean air, clean water, food, and overall high quality of life. The quality and abundance of Kitsap County's natural environments are well documented and are what define Kitsap County as the "natural side of Puget Sound."
- A Goal to continue the County policy to treat Natural Resources as an Asset, and policies that define and promote the Kitsap Natural Resource Asset Management Program (KNRAMP).
- Emphasizes the importance of the ecosystem and critical areas throughout the County.
- Recognizes the health benefits of natural systems and promotes best practices to protecting natural systems and aims to reduce adverse environmental impacts on the health of vulnerable populations.
- Includes a new policy to enhance urban tree canopy and recognize the benefits of urban forests.
Housing The County recognizes that housing is a fundamental need. The County is responsible for providing policy direction that facilitates housing for residents in all economic segments. The goals and policies of this element set the stage for development regulations that allow for and encourage different types of housing affordable to all population segments, avoid concentrating housing in environmentally sensitive areas, and guide intergovernmental coordination that makes the most efficient use of resources to provide housing, while reducing or eliminating housing barriers.
- Ensure sufficient housing stock is available, affordable, and accessible at all income levels and in a variety of housing types.
- Promote infill housing in Urban Growth Areas and preserve existing affordable housing stock.
- Mitigate displacement risk and ensure equitable treatment and outcomes.
Comment form (available December 15, 2023)
Transportation
 The Transportation Element presents a plan for transportation facilities and services needed to support the County's land use strategy over a 20-year planning horizon and recommends transportation projects for the County's unincorporated area to meet safety, capacity, and connectivity needs—for automobiles, freight, transit, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
The Element includes:
- a transportation system inventory of air, water, and ground facilities and services;
- Bicycle and pedestrian components to encourage connectivity and promote a healthy lifestyle;
- Policies and strategies to serve projected growth based on the County's adopted growth targets and future planned land use map;
- Level of Service standards to gauge the performance of the transportation system;
- Strategies for reducing travel demand;
- And policies to finance the transportation improvement plan
Major Themes:
Multi-modal transportation planning
- Emphasis on moving people rather than vehicles through support of high-capacity transit and other modes of transportation
- Multi-modal support for mixed-use transit-oriented development and increased densities in Regional and Countywide Centers
- Active transportation planning (bicycles and pedestrians) including policies to support the development of new methodologies to analyze the level of service for multiple modes of transportation, not just cars
Climate and Energy policies
- New policies to support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonize the transportation system
- New policies to enhance the transportation system's resilience to a changing climate
- New policies to support an increase in electric vehicle infrastructure
Increased emphasis on public health, equity, and safety
Comment form (available December 15, 2023)
Parks, Recreation and Open Space
 The Parks Element serves as a reference and foundation for future updates of the County's Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Plan. It will identify opportunities for partnerships and funding and foster collaboration with stakeholders to ensure equitable access, environmental stewardship, and diverse recreational opportunities for the Kitsap community.
The goals and policies in this element recognize the need to enhance the wellbeing of all county residents and visitors through accessible and inclusive parks, facilities, and educational programs in promoting pedestrian use, bicycling, and accessibility through the provision of trails in the park system as well as the desire to institute management programs for habitat value, forest health, groundwater recharge, water quality, climate resiliency, and safety. Additionally, the goals and policies emphasize the need for coordination among agencies and organizations and the promotion of the many benefits of green infrastructure to support mental and physical health, recreational opportunities, habitat preservation, and stormwater management
- Updates to existing inventories, and forecasts of future needs
- Increased emphasis on public health, equity
- Increased emphasis on support, enhancement, and use of green infrastructure.
- Increased emphasis on preserving and enhancing tree canopy.
New policies around managing park lands as natural assets to be preserved, restored, and enhanced.
New policies to enhance the Park system's sustainability and resilience to a changing climate.
Comment form (available December 15, 2023)
Capital Facilities and Utilities
 The Capital Facilities and Utilities Element provides policies for public facilities and services to serve the projected growth based on the County's adopted growth targets and future planned land use map.
The Element covers capital facilities and services provided by the County and external agencies, underscoring the need for coordination between and among municipalities, special purposed districts, and other providers. The Element guides planning, funding, and project decisions for unincorporated Kitsap County. With rapid population growth in the county, guidance to plan for sufficient capital facilities and utilities is crucial. The goals, policies, and strategies within this element direct the County and utility providers to stay updated on facility levels and demands to meet specific level of service standards and forecasted future needs for public facilities laid out in the Capital Facilities Plan.
- Updates existing inventories, and forecasts of future needs
- Increased emphasis on public health & equity
- Increased emphasis on support, enhancement, and use of green infrastructure
- Increased emphasis on preserving and enhancing tree canopy
- New policies around managing park lands as natural assets to be preserved, restored, and enhanced
- New policies to enhance the Park system's sustainability and resilience to a changing climate
Climate Change
 Climate Change is the only element in the 2024 Update that is brand new. Climate Change was added as a goal of the Growth Management Act during the 2023 legislative session, bringing the total number of goals to 15.
Climate change has already affected and will continue to affect the infrastructure, natural systems, economy, culture, safety, and livelihood of people who live, work, and play in Kitsap County. Kitsap County has experienced measurable and observable climate change trends and impacts including extreme heat, coastal flooding, and wildlife smoke. The intent of this chapter is to provide a consolidated policy framework related to climate issues that is essential to facilitating planning for our county and to assist in meeting the planning goals of the Growth Management Act. - Includes a sub-element for reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, based on a 2022 Community Wide Geographic Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Analysis. This sub-element adopts PSRC's VISION 2050 goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Puget Sound Region to 80% below 1990 levels by the year 2050.
- Promotes preservation of tree canopy as a strategy to combat climate change and store carbon.
- Includes a Climate Resilience and Adaption Sub-Chapter, focused on various areas impacted by Climate Change, such as Public Health, Economy, Infrastructure, Emergency Preparedness and Response, and more.
- Utilizes guidance and model policies prepared by the Washington State Department of Commerce.
- Takes a proactive approach in meeting new State climate planning legislation (HB 1181), which ensures that comprehensive plans, development regulations, and regional policies adapt and mitigate the effects of a changing climate.
Regional Centers Silverdale Regional Center Major Changes and Themes: Silverdale Regional Center is a major focus area of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update. Otherwise known as Silverdale's "downtown" area, much of the County's anticipated population and employment growth is expected to occur in the Regional Center.
In 2003, the Kitsap Countywide Planning Policies and Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) recognized portions of the Silverdale UGA as a Regional Growth Center for employment and population. Regional growth centers are intended to be dense and diverse urban centers with a regional focus on significant business, cultural, governmental, residential, and recreational activities. Some major changes include:
- Policies align with the Puget Sound Regional Council's criteria and framework for Regional Centers
- Policies support modifications to design standards, and changes to development standards to remove barriers to multifamily and mixed-use development.
- New graphics and policies that support transportation connectivity, smaller block sizes and preferred block lengths, frontage standards, and a more pleasant environment for pedestrians and bicyclists.
- An Implementation Table was added to be more specific about when certain actions will occur, and who will complete them.
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