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Port Orchard staff to launch free preapproved ADU plans, shorter permit turnaround and new plan options
Summary
Port Orchard’s Community Development Department reported it will soon post four free preapproved accessory dwelling unit (ADU) plans online, with an expected permit turnaround of about two weeks; staff also previewed two additional concept plans and outlined estimated fees and site requirements.
Port Orchard staff told the Land Use Committee the city is close to launching a program that will post four free preapproved accessory dwelling unit (ADU) plan sets and streamline permitting for homeowners.
Nick Bond, community development director, said the city’s building department approved the basic plans and the program aims to make plan sets available on the website for property owners in Kitsap County. “We currently have four preapproved ADU plans: a small 480-square-foot unit, a 600-square-foot unit, and then a one-story and a two-story unit that are 800 square feet in area,” Bond said. He said the city will stamp the plan set “not approved for construction” to let homeowners and contractors review finishes and site fit prior to submitting a site-specific permit application.
Why it matters: the program is intended to reduce permitting time and lower technical barriers to constructing ADUs. Bond said the permit to use a basic plan is $225 and the building permit example for a 600-square-foot unit would be $1,251 for the building permit plus standard plumbing, mechanical, technology fees and a state surcharge. Staff said they hope to turn permits around in about two weeks given a complete site plan.
Staff previewed two additional concept plans that are still in design: a 1,000-square-foot rambler and a carriage-house option with a garage and upstairs ADU (concept sizes include a 672-square-foot and an 834-square-foot carriage-house variant). Bond said the Home Builders Association recommended offering a three-bedroom rambler (with 1.5 baths for three-bedroom option) because they expect demand for larger units. Bond also noted some fees and impact calculations will change July 1 when the city transitions to a square-foot and per-bedroom approach for certain impact fees.
Staff plans outreach including a farmer’s-market booth and Facebook posts this summer to publicize the program. No formal policy vote occurred at the Land Use Committee; this was an informational briefing.
