Learn, connect, and share your feedback with Kitsap this fall.




New Community Development banner
September 2025

There’s a lot happening this fall with Kitsap County Community Development, and plenty of ways to learn, connect, and get involved. We’re hitting the ground running with workshops *Native Plant Workshop [ #link_4 ]*, *Shore Friendly Contractor Workshop [ #link_7 ]*, and an *Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) Training [ #link_5 ]* where you can sharpen your invasive species ID skills. September also marks the release of the draft *Year of the Rural* [ #link_2 ]chapter, with community meetings in all three districts and opportunities to share your feedback.

What do beavers and planning have in common? Community! This October, join our final *Read, Roam, Rules [ #link_6 ]* walk and book talk with the Greater Peninsula Conservancy and Kitsap Regional Library, to see how beavers build theirs, and help us celebrate Community Planning Month as we reflect on how people build ours.

We’re also improving how we serve you: beginning this month, *service hours are changing [ #link_1 ]* so reviewers have more time for complex questions while LiveChat remains available for permit application support.

Behind the scenes, we’re building better resources with a new *Frequently Asked Questions page [ #link_8 ]* to give you quick answers about development, permitting, and environmental programs. We're also asking for your insights through our *Doing Business in Kitsap [ #link_3 ]* project which will help us improve the tools available for future entrepreneurs in unincorporated Kitsap County.

"Together, let’s make the most of this season of learning, connection, and community building."


Service Hours Update: Effective September 2, 2025

Starting September 2, 2025, technical review staff in-person and appointment services will be expanded to Monday through Thursday, 9am to Noon.

To better serve customers with complex questions, technical reviewers will focus on in-person, virtual appointments, and walk-in support, rather than Live Chat. This allows for more thorough, detailed assistance.


* *Live Chat:* Will be staffed by Permit Technicians for permit application support. Live Chat services will no longer be offered for technical review-related inquiries.
* *Reviewer availability:* Technical reviewers will be available for walk-ins, virtual, and phone appointments Monday–Thursday, 9 am–12 pm (now including Mondays).
* *"Fire/commercial technical review staff"*" walk-in service availability may be limited if responding to emergency investigations."

* *Lobby Hours:* Open Monday–Friday, 9 am–12 pm.
* "Fridays remain limited-service: permit assistance, payments, scheduling."

Lobby Staff Availability
Service Hours Sept 25


Year of the Rural: Draft Chapter for Review

After months of outreach and community input, the Draft Rural and Resource Lands Chapter is ready to share. This draft is part of the Year of the Rural initiative and will guide how Kitsap County plans for the future of rural areas and resource lands.

In September, the draft will be presented in all three districts at Community Advisory Council (CAC) meetings:


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*Tuesday, September 2, 2025 – 6:30 PM*
"Manchester CAC, Manchester Library"


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*Wednesday, September 3, 2025 – 5:00 PM*
"Central Kitsap CAC, Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue Headquarters"


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*Wednesday, September 10, 2025 – 6:30 PM*
"Village Green Community Center"

These presentations will share the draft deliverables and public process, with time for questions and community comment.

*Next steps:* This is your opportunity to provide feedback and help ensure the chapter reflects community priorities.

"Join us at a local meeting, review the draft, and make your voice heard."





Share Your Insight - Help Us Build Better Tools for Businesses in Unincorporated Kitsap
Open Business Sign

Your experience as a local business owner, or someone starting the journey, matters. We’d like to know: "what resources, guidance, or information did you use, need, or wish you had, when starting your business in unincorporated Kitsap?"

Your feedback will help us improve the resources we provide so future entrepreneurs have clearer information and stronger support when they begin.

Please send your thoughts to *[email protected]* by *September 12* to be considered in our project update. Thank you for sharing your experience to help others succeed.



Native Plant Workshop
Native Plant Workshop [ [link removed] ]

Join us for a *FREE*, educational workshop focused on the diversity and ecological value of Kitsap's native plant communities. Learn how native plants support healthy ecosystems, help combat invasive species, and contribute to resilient shorelines. This workshop will feature an expert presentation followed by an optional guided plant walk to explore native species in their natural habitat.

More information and registration here:
[link removed]



Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR)
Contractor Training [ [link removed] ]

This is a FREE training that will cover priority invasive plant identification, general invasive species biology, the EDRR process, and surveying and reporting using the EDDMapS and iNaturalist Apps. Following the presentation, we will practice some identification and survey skills around Long Lake Park, as well as answer any questions about the Apps.

More information and registration here:
[link removed]



Last Read, Roam, Rules of the Year
Beaver

Join us this October for the final "Read, Roam, Rules" series of 2025—an evening walk in nature and a lively book discussion that both highlight what it means to build and sustain community.

Evening Beaver Habitat Walk: Jane Jacobs Walk

*Saturday, October 11*
*5–7 PM*
*With Great Peninsula Conservancy*

Beavers are more than nature’s engineers—they’re community builders. On this guided evening walk, we’ll explore Kitsap beaver habitat and reflect on how these remarkable animals shape the environment around them. *Registration is required and expected to fill quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot early. Bring a flashlight and comfortable outdoor walking gear. This event is on rain or shine.*

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Book Club: "The Beaver Manifesto"

*Monday, October 20*
*5–7 PM*
*With Kitsap Regional Library*

Our fall book selection, "The Beaver Manifesto", offers a short but powerful look at how beavers transform landscapes and inspire resilience. Together, we’ll discuss the book’s themes and what they mean for Kitsap’s own communities.

Free copies of the book will be available in our lobby and at the Silverdale Library—pick one up and join the conversation!

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How to Join

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*Event Details & Register online*  [ [link removed] ]


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Pick up your free book soon at Silverdale Library and the Kitsap Community Development Lobby


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Don’t wait—space will be limited

Let’s wrap up 2025’s "Read, Roam, Rules" by learning from one of nature’s most dedicated community builders. We hope you’ll join us!



Free Contractor Workshop
SF Contractor

Welcome to the Shore Friendly Contractor Workshop at Oxford Suites Silverdale on October 16, 2025, at 8:30 AM (Pacific Time).

The Shore Friendly Kitsap program is hosting a FREE workshop for landscape professionals, arborists, drainage specialists, excavation services, and contractors working on marine shoreline properties. Join us to learn about shore-friendly practices, with a focus on vegetation management and best practices for working on shorelines.

You'll hear presentations from local and regional experts, including guest speaker John Bornsworth of Peninsula Environmental Group, Stephanie Trudel, and Taylor Harriman, archaeologists from the Suquamish Tribe, and Darren Gurnee, planning and permitting supervisor from the Department of Community Development, Kitsap County.

Don't miss this opportunity to expand your skills and make a positive impact on our shorelines!

*ISA credits are pending



New Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Page is Live
questions

Chances are, if you’ve wondered about the permit process, a development rule, or one of our environmental programs—someone else has too. That’s why we pulled together our most frequently asked questions into one easy-to-browse page.

Check it out here and see if your answer is already waiting for you:  kitsap.gov/dcd/Pages/FAQs.aspx [ [link removed] ]

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*Subscribe [ [link removed] ]* to Community Development News.


Kitsap County Department of Community Development
614 Division Street - MS36
Port Orchard, WA 98366

"Media Contact: Alicia Adler <[email protected]>"



*DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
*"The mission of the Department of Community Development is to foster the development of quality, affordable, structurally safe and environmentally sound communities."







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