A. 
IRC Section R101.1 is amended as follows:
R101.1 Title. These provisions shall be known as the Kitsap County Residential Code for One- and Two-Family dwellings, and will be referred to herein as “this code.”
B. 
IRC Section R102.4 is amended by adding an additional subsection, R102.4.3, as follows:
R102.4.3 Washington State Referenced Codes. Wherever this code states the International Plumbing Code, it shall mean the Uniform Plumbing Code as adopted by the State of Washington. Wherever this code states the International Electrical Code, ICC Electrical Code, or the Electrical Code, it shall mean the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) as adopted by the
State of Washington in accordance with RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B. Wherever this code states the International Energy Conservation Code, it shall mean the Washington State Energy Code as adopted by the State of Washington.
(Ord. 323 (2004) § 46, 2004; Ord. 552 (2018) § 4, 2018)
IRC Section R105.2 is amended by adding a new line numbered 11 under “Building” as follows:
11.
Roof covering replacement (re-roofing) provided the roof area does not exceed 2100 square feet (21 squares) and further provided the existing sheathing remains in place and no structural work is performed.
(Ord. 323 (2004) § 47, 2004; Ord. 391 (2007) § 7, 2007; Ord. 464 (2010) § 11, 2010)
IRC Section R105.3 is amended as follows:
R105.3 Application for Permit. To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first file an application therefore in writing on forms furnished by the Department of Community Development for such purposes. Such application shall:
1.
Identify and describe the work to be covered by the permit for which application is made.
2.
Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done by legal description, street address or similar description that will readily identify and definitively locate the proposed building or work, and shall include the property tax parcel number as assigned by the Kitsap County Tax Assessor.
3.
Indicate the use and occupancy for which the work is intended.
4.
Be accompanied by construction documents and other information as required by Section R106.1.
5.
State the valuation of the proposed work.
6.
Be signed by the applicant, or the applicant’s authorized agent.
7.
Give such other data and information as required by the building official.
8.
Be accompanied by a certificate of concurrency when required by this section and the provisions of the Kitsap County Transportation Facilities Concurrency Ordinance (Kitsap County Code Title 20), as now or hereafter amended. Unless specifically exempt from concurrency as specified in Kitsap County Code Title 20, a copy of the issued certificate of concurrency for the proposed development is required prior to the acceptance of all building permit applications.
9.
Be accompanied by evidence of an adequate water supply and sewage disposal system where plumbing fixtures are part of the proposed building permit application.
A.
Evidence of an adequate water supply may be provided by one of the following:
1.
A water right permit from the state department of ecology.
2.
A letter from an approved water purveyor stating the ability to provide water.
3.
An accepted building site application* approved by the Kitsap Public Health District where water is supplied by a permit-exempt well constructed prior to January 19, 2018.
4.
An accepted building site application* approved by the Kitsap Public Health District where water is supplied by a permit exempt well constructed on or after January 19, 2018. Where this option is used:
a.
The annual average withdrawal is limited to nine hundred fifty (950) gallons per day per connection for domestic use, subject to a curtailment to no more than three hundred fifty (350) gallons per day per connection only for indoor use or to maintain a fire control buffer when a drought emergency order is issue under RCW 43.83B.405;
b.
An additional fee in accordance with the approved Community Development Fee Schedule is required with the application;
c.
A notice to title must be recorded setting forth the limitations in paragraph (a); and
d.
The applicant must manage stormwater runoff onsite to the extent practicable by maximum infiltration in accordance with Title 12.
5.
A site-specific analysis by a licensed hydrogeologist demonstrating that the proposed water supply is not hydraulically connected to closed or regulated surface waters, or that adequate mitigation is provided to offset the new impacts of the water supply on those surface waters.
B.
Evidence of an adequate sewage disposal system may be provided as follows.
1.
Where a parcel or parcels are to be served by an on-site sewage disposal system, an accepted building site application* or an accepted building clearance approved by the Kitsap Public Health District is required. This requirement may be waived where the permit application is for an alteration of an existing structure that does not result in a change of use, an expansion of floor area or occupant load, an increase in the number of sleeping rooms, an increase in the demand for sewage disposal, or an increase in sewage related health risk.
2.
Where a parcel or parcels are to be served by sewer, a sewer permit and an accepted building clearance approved by the Kitsap Public Health District are required.
*
A building permit application may be submitted with a preliminary building site application; however, no building permit may be issued without an “accepted” building site application.
(Ord. 323 (2004) § 48, 2004; Ord. 391 (2007) § 8, 2007; Ord. 551 (2018) § 3, 2018)
IRC Section R105.5 is amended as follows:
R105.5 Expiration. Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within 365 days after its issuance, or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the time the work is commenced. Having required inspections performed and approved within every 180 days is evidence that work has commenced and is continuing. Permits that do not receive an inspection approval within 365 days of permit issuance, or within 180 days since the previous approved inspection, shall automatically expire and become invalid. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not more than 180 days each, based on good and satisfactory reasons. The extension shall be requested in writing prior to permit expiration and shall demonstrate good cause.
(Ord. 323 (2004) § 49, 2004; Ord. 552 (2018) § 5, 2018; Ord. 596 (2021) § 3, 2021)
IRC Section 106 is amended by adding an additional subsection, R106.6, as follows:
R106.6 Basic Plan System. The Building Official may institute a program to facilitate the repeated use of construction plans.
The purpose of the Basic Plan system is to create a more efficient, cost saving procedure that will reduce redundant building plan reviews.
A person or company holding title to the plans may establish a Basic Plan through the application process and the payment of a one time setup fee. A Basic Plan may be used to obtain building permits for:
• Single-family dwellings with or without attached carports or garages.
• Residential carports or garages.
Plans submitted for approval under the Basic Plans System that are designed by a registered architect or professional engineer, or are otherwise protected by Federal Copyright laws shall be accompanied by a document signed by the holder of the copyright protection authorizing its copying and repeated use.
Building permits approved utilizing a Basic Plan that will be constructed on an individual lot shall be accompanied by a site specific letter from the designer and Engineer of Record (when applicable) that states the building design is appropriate for the lot. For buildings being constructed in a plat / subdivision, a blanket letter, that identifies all the lots, may be substituted for site specific letters. A copy of the plat map showing the lot locations shall be included in the blanket letter.
Once the Basic Plan is approved and established, it will be assigned a file number and be retained on record for the duration of the current state code adoption in order to be used for issuance of future building permits. Basic Plan approvals shall expire coinciding with the state’s adoption of new or updated building codes. Upon expiration previously approved Basic Plans must be reestablished by submitting the updated plan sets based on new code editions and requirements.
Building permit applications utilizing an approved Basic Plan shall be issued provided the required application has been received, assessed fees have been paid and other required documentation regarding the suitability of the lot or land on which the building is to be constructed is found to be in compliance with the Zoning Code, Critical Areas Ordinance, Shoreline Management Ordinance, the Kitsap County Building & Fire Code, and any other law enforced by Kitsap County regulating construction.
All proposed design options shall be included on the plan set submitted for review to establish the Basic Plan. At the time of permit application utilizing an approved Basic Plan, all design options to be constructed shall be clearly identified in the application materials. Revisions to approved Basic Plans other than identifying chosen design options are not permitted without establishing the revised plan as a new Basic Plan. Basic Plans submitted with revisions not previously approved as a design option will be reviewed as a non-basic application.
Allowable options for basic plans may include different attached garage sizes and configurations, elevations, energy code compliance methods, bay windows, skylights, reversals (mirror-image) or similar construction features that do not alter the size of the structure.
Fees for establishing and using basic plans shall be established by resolution.
(Ord. 391 (2007) § 9, 2007; Ord. 440 (2009) § 15, 2009; Ord. 552 (2018) § 6, 2018)
A. 
IRC Section R112.1 is amended as follows:
R112.1 General. In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the building official relative to the application and interpretation of the technical provisions of this code, there shall be a consolidated board of appeals in accordance with Article 15, Kitsap County Code Sections 14.04.950 through 14.04.990. Appeals of administrative provisions shall be in accordance with Kitsap County Code Chapter 21.04.
B. 
IRC Sections R112.2.1, R112.2.2 and R112.3 are deleted and not adopted.
(Ord. 323 (2004) § 51, 2004; Ord. 391 (2007) § 10, 2007)
Section R202 is amended by the amendment of the definition for “accessory structure” as follows:
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE.
A structure not greater than 3,600 square feet (334 m2) in floor area, and not over two stories in height, the use of which is customarily accessory to and incidental to that of the dwelling(s) and which is located on the same lot. Structures that would otherwise be considered accessory structures greater than 3,600 square feet (334 m2) shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements of the International Building Code and the International Fire Code.
(Ord. 552 (2018) § 7, 2018)
Typographical error corrections as identified in Errata published by the International Code Council shall become part of this code as if contained herein.
(Ord. 323 (2004) § 52, 2004; Ord. 391 (2007) § 11, 2007)
IRC Table R301.2 is amended by filling in the blanks of the table to reflect specific Kitsap County criteria as follows:
Ground Snow Load = 25.
Wind Speed = Ultimate. 110
Wind Debris = No
Special Wind Region = No
Seismic Design Category = D2
Weathering = Moderate
Frost Line Depth = 12"
Termite = Slight to Moderate
Decay = Moderate to Severe
Winter Design Temp = 26
Ice Barrier Underlayment Required = No
Flood Hazards = (a) 1980, (b) 1980
Air Freezing Index = 148
Mean Annual Temp = 51.4
Topographic Effects = Yes
Outdoor design conditions:
Elevation Feet = 447
Latitude Degrees North = 47
Heating 99% Outdoor Dry Bulb = 27
HDD/CDD Ratio = 3.43
Cooling
Outdoor Air
1% Dry Bulb = 82
Coincident Wet Bulb = 64
Design Grains
55% RH Indoors = -12
50% RH Indoors = -5
45% RH Indoors = 1
Daily Range (DR) = M
(Ord. 323 (2004) § 53, 2004; Ord. 391 (2007) § 12, 2007; Ord. 464 (2010) § 12, 2010; Ord. 552 (2018) § 8, 2018; Ord. 592 (2021) § 12, 2021; Ord. 638 (2025) § 5, 2025)
A. 
IRC Section R104.10.1 is amended as follows:
R104.10.1 Areas Prone to Flooding. The building official shall not grant modifications to any provision related to areas prone to flooding as established by Table R301.2(1) and Kitsap County Code Title 15 without the granting of a variance in accordance with Kitsap County Code Title 15, Sections 15.20.010 through 15.20.030.
B. 
IRC Section R106.1.4, line number 4 is amended as follows:
4.
If base flood elevations are not included on the community’s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), the applicant shall obtain and reasonably utilize, subject to approval by the building official, any design flood elevation and floodway data available from other sources in accordance with Kitsap County Code Title 15.
C. 
IRC Section R105.3.1.1 is amended as follows:
Section R105.3.1.1 Determination of substantially improved or substantially damaged existing buildings in areas prone to flooding. For applications for reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, repair or other improvement to existing buildings or structures located in a special flood hazard area as established by Table R301.2(1) and Kitsap County Code Title 15, the building official shall examine or cause to be examined the construction documents and shall prepare a finding with regard to the value of the proposed work. For buildings that have sustained damage of any origin, the value of the proposed work shall include the cost to repair the building or structure to its predamage condition. If the building official finds that the value of the proposed work equals or exceeds 50 percent of the preincident assessed value of the building or structure before the damage has occurred or the improvement is started, the project is a substantial improvement and shall meet the requirements of IRC Section R322 and the requirements of Kitsap County Code Title 15.
D. 
IRC Section R301.2.4 is amended as follows:
R301.2.4 Floodplain construction. Buildings and structures constructed in whole or in part in special flood hazard areas (including A or V zones) as established in Table R301.2(1) and Kitsap County Code Title 15, shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Section R322.
Exception: Residential buildings and structures in identified floodways as established in Table R301.2(1) and Kitsap County Code Title 15, are prohibited.
E. 
IRC Section R309.3 is amended as follows:
R309.3 Special Flood Hazard Areas. For buildings located in special flood hazard areas as established by Table R301.2(1) and Kitsap County Code Title 15, garage floors shall be:
1.
Elevated to 1 foot or more above the base flood elevation as determined in Section R322; or
2.
If the garage floor level is lower than 1 foot above the base flood elevation, the garage shall be used solely for parking, building access or storage, and the floor shall be at or above grade on all sides. All portions of the structure located lower than 1 foot above base flood elevation shall also meet the requirements of Section R322, including R322.1.8 and R322.2.2, as well as the other requirements of this code.
F. 
IRC Section R322.1 is amended as follows:
R322.1 General. Buildings or structures constructed in special flood hazard areas (including A or V zones and Coastal A Zones) as established in Table R301.2(1) and Kitsap County Code Title 15, and substantial improvement and restoration of substantial damage of buildings and structures in flood hazard areas, shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions contained in this section. Buildings and structures that are located in more than one flood hazard area shall comply with the provisions associated with the most restrictive flood hazard area. Buildings and structures located in whole or in part in identified floodways as established in Table R301.2(1) and Kitsap County Code Title 15, are prohibited.
G. 
IRC Section R322.1.7 is amended as follows:
R322.1.7 Protection of water supply and sanitary sewage systems. New and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the system in accordance with the plumbing provisions of this code and Kitsap County Code Section 15.12.050. New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into systems and discharges from systems into flood-waters in accordance with the plumbing provisions of this code and Kitsap County Code Section 15.12.050.
H. 
IRC Section R322.1.9 is amended as follows:
R322.1.9 Manufactured Housing. New or replacement manufactured housing shall be elevated in accordance with Section R322.2 or R322.3. In addition, the manufactured housing shall be anchored and tied down in accordance with Sections AE604 and AE605 of Appendix E, or in accordance with a design prepared by a Washington State registered design professional in accordance with Kitsap County Code Section 15.12.030.
I. 
IRC Section R322.1.10 is amended as follows:
R322.1.10 As-built elevation documentation. A registered land surveyor shall prepare and seal documentation of the elevations specified in Section R322.2 or R322.3. The completed elevation certificate shall be provided to the Department of Community Development prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
J. 
IRC Section R322.2 is amended as follows:
R322.2 Flood hazard areas (including A zones). All areas that have been determined to be prone to flooding but not subject to high velocity wave action shall be designated as flood hazard areas. Flood hazard areas that have been delineated as subject to wave heights between 1 and one-half feet (457 mm) and 3 feet (914 mm) or otherwise designated by Kitsap County shall be designated as Coastal A Zones and are subject to the requirements of Section R322.2 All buildings and structures erected in special flood hazard areas shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Sections R322.2.1, through R322.3 and Kitsap County Code Title 15 - Flood Hazard Areas.
K. 
IRC Section R322.2.1 is amended as follows:
R322.2.1 Elevation Requirements.
1.
Buildings and structures shall have the lowest floors elevated to at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation.
2.
In areas of shallow flooding (AO zones), buildings and structures shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated at least 1 foot or more above the highest adjacent grade plus the depth number specified in feet on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), or at least 2 feet if a depth number is not specified.
3.
Basements and crawlspace floors that are below grade on all sides are prohibited.
Exception: Enclosed areas below the base flood elevation, including basements and crawl spaces whose floors are not below grade on all sides, shall meet the requirements of Section R322.2.2.
L. 
IRC Section R322.2.2 is amended by the addition of a new line 2.3 to line 2 as follows:
2.3. Any louvers, screens or other opening covers shall allow the automatic flow of floodwaters into and out of the enclosed area.
M. 
IRC Section R322.3.2 is amended by the addition of a new line 6 as follows:
6.
The placement of fill beneath buildings and structures is prohibited.
(Ord. 323 (2004) § 54, 2004; Ord. 391 (2007) § 13, 2007; Ord. 464 (2010) § 13, 2010; Ord. 552 (2018) § 9, 2018)
IRC Section R311.2 is amended as follows:
R311.2 Egress door required. Not less than one egress door conforming to this section shall be provided for each dwelling unit and each accessory structure. The egress door shall be side hinged, and shall provide a clear width of not less than 32 inches (813 mm) where measured between the face of the door and the stop, with the door open 90 degrees (1.57 rad). The clear height of the door opening shall be not less than 78 inches (1981 mm) in height measured from the top of the threshold to the bottom of the stop. Other door shall not be required to comply with these minimum dimensions. Egress doors shall be readily openable from inside the dwelling without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort. Access to habitable levels not having an exit at grade in accordance with this section shall be in accordance with Section R311.4.
(Ord. 323 (2004) § 55, 2004; Ord. 464 (2010) § 14, 2010; Ord. 552 (2018) § 10, 2018)
IRC Section R202 is amended by adding an additional definition as follows:
Sleeping Room. A bedroom, bonus room, or other habitable room that contains an intervening door that can be closed to separate the room from areas otherwise provided with smoke alarms. Exception: Habitable rooms such as dens, libraries and offices that are provided with built in features that establish the specific use of the room as something other than for sleeping, and do not contain clothes closets, need not be considered a sleeping room.
(Ord. 323 (2004) § 56, 2004; Ord. 391 (2007) § 14, 2007)
IRC Section R317.1, line number 2 is amended as follows:
2.
All wood framing members that rest directly on concrete or masonry exterior foundation walls.
(Ord. 323 (2004) § 57, 2004; Ord. 552 (2018) § 11, 2018)
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Section 14.04.558, “Prescriptive foundations,” was repealed by § 6 of Ord. 638 (2025). Section 58 of Ord. 323 (2004), Section 15 of Ord. 391 (2007), Section 15 of Ord. 464 (2010), Section 12 of Ord. 552 (2018) and Section 13 of Ord. 592 (2021) were formerly codified herein.
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Section 14.04.565, “Underfloor ventilation,” was repealed by § 16 of Ord. 464 (2010). Section 16 of Ord. 391 (2007) and Section 59 of Ord. 323 (2004) were formerly codified herein.
IRC Section R801.3 is amended as follows:
R801.3 Roof drainage. All dwellings and their accessory buildings shall have a controlled method of water disposal from roofs that will collect and discharge all roof drainage to an approved drainage system, in accordance with Kitsap County Code Chapters 12.04 through 12.32 (The Kitsap County Stormwater Management Ordinance), or to the ground surface at splash blocks where a drainage system is not required. Ground surfaces shall slope away from the foundation in accordance with IRC Section R401.3.
(Ord. 323 (2004) § 60, 2004)
A. 
IRC Section M1305.1.2.1 is amended as follows:
M1305.1.2.1 Electrical Requirements. A lighting fixture controlled by a switch located at the required passageway opening and a receptacle outlet shall be provided at or near the appliance location in accordance with the electrical code. Exposed lamps shall be protected by location or lamp guards.
B. 
IRC Section M1305.1.3.3 is amended as follows:
M1305.1.3.3 Electrical Requirements. A lighting fixture controlled by a switch located at the required passageway opening and a receptacle outlet shall be provided at or near the appliance location in accordance with the electrical code. Exposed lamps shall be protected by location or lamp guards.
C. 
IRC Section M1307.5 is amended as follows:
M1307.5 Electrical appliances. Electrical appliances shall be installed in accordance with Chapters 14, 15, 19, 20 and the electrical code.
D. 
IRC Section M1406.1 is amended as follows:
M1406.1 General. Electric radiant heating systems shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and the electrical code.
E. 
IRC Section M1406.2 is amended as follows:
M1406.2 Clearances. Clearances for radiant heating panels or elements to any wiring, outlet boxes and junction boxes used for installing electrical devices or mounting lighting fixtures shall comply with the electrical code.
F. 
IRC Section G2410.2 is amended as follows:
G2410.2 (309.2) Connections. Electrical connections between gas utilization equipment and the building wiring, including the grounding of the equipment, shall conform to the electrical code.
(Ord. 323 (2004) § 61, 2004; Ord. 464 (2010) § 17, 2010; Ord. 592 (2021) § 14, 2021)
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Section 14.04.582, “Combustion air,” was repealed by § 18 of Ord. 464 (2010). Section 62 of Ord. 323 (2004) was formerly codified herein.
A. 
IRC Section M2004.1 is amended as follows:
M2004.1 General. Water heaters utilized both to supply potable hot water and to provide hot water for space heating shall be installed in accordance with this chapter, Chapter 24, the plumbing code and the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
B. 
IRC Section M2005.3 is amended as follows:
M2005.3 Electric water heaters. Electric water heaters shall also be installed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the plumbing and electrical code.
C. 
IRC Section M2101.2 is amended as follows:
M2101.2 System drain down. Hydronic piping systems shall be installed to permit the system to be drained. When the system drains to the plumbing drainage system, the installation shall conform to the requirements of the plumbing code.
Exception: The buried portions of systems embedded underground or under floors.
D. 
IRC Section M2101.3 is amended as follows:
M2101.3 Protection of potable water. The potable water system shall be protected from backflow in accordance with the provisions listed in the plumbing code.
E. 
IRC Section M2301.5 is amended as follows:
M2301.5 Backflow protection. All connections from the potable water supply to solar systems shall comply with the plumbing code.
F. 
IRC Section G2448.1.1 is amended as follows:
G2448.1.1 (624.1.1) Installation requirements. The requirements for water heaters relative to sizing, relief valves, drain pans and scald protection shall be in accordance with the plumbing code.
(Ord. 323 (2004) § 63, 2004; Ord. 592 (2021) § 15, 2021)
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Section 14.04.588, “Water heater locations,” was repealed by § 17 of Ord. 391 (2007). Section 64 of Ord. 323 (2004) was formerly codified herein.
A new Section 304.4.1 is added to the IMC as follows:
304.4.1 Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) burning appliances in basements and similar spaces. LPG burning appliances are prohibited in basements, daylight basements and similar spaces unless such space is provided with an LPG gas detection and alarm device interconnected to a fuel shutoff valve such that an audible alarm sounds and the fuel supply to the fuel burning equipment is shut off if the LPG concentration reaches 50% of the LEL. The audible alarm must continue to sound and the fuel supply must remain shut off until the space is ventilated and the atmosphere returns to less than 50% LEL.
(Ord. 552 (2018) § 13, 2018)
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Section 14.04.595, “Existing buildings,” was repealed by § 7 of Ord. 638 (2025). Section 66 of Ord. 323 (2004), Section 18 of Ord. 391 (2007) and Section 14 of Ord. 552 (2018) were formerly codified herein.