Kitsap regional plan to offer six preapproved ADU plan sets aims to speed permitting

The Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council on May 6 heard a presentation from the Artisans Group on a regional effort to create preapproved accessory dwelling unit plan sets that can be used across participating jurisdictions to speed permitting and reduce design fees.

The plan sets—four already licensed and two new designs being developed—are intended to meet the most stringent local zoning and building-code requirements so they can be used in multiple Kitsap County jurisdictions. Lindsey Baronian, senior architect at Artisans Group, said the firm and KRCC staff worked with planning directors across the region to produce the designs.

The ADU plan-set program aims to lower upfront design costs and offer expedited review for building, structural and energy code reviews while maintaining full site-specific reviews for zoning, critical areas and utilities, KRCC staff said. “We really believe strongly in it, and we’re really excited to bring them to the county,” Baronian said.

Nut graf: KRCC and partner jurisdictions developed four compact, licensed plan sets—ranging from a 480-square-foot studio to an 800-square-foot two-story model—and are working on two larger options (including a 1,000-square-foot three-bedroom design and a flexible carriage-house unit). Staff and the Artisans Group told the board the first four licensed sets could be available to county residents as soon as June, with the two larger plans expected this fall.

Project details and how it would work: residents would learn about the plan sets through outreach and jurisdiction websites, select a plan for a specific lot, prepare a site plan addressing lot-specific issues, and apply to the local building department. The preapproved sets are intended to make building-plan reviews faster for applicants who use the provided construction documents; nonstructural user modifications would remain eligible for expedited review, while structural changes would trigger a full review and require a licensed structural engineer.

Artisans described four completed plan types: a compact 480-square-foot accessible studio, a 600-square-foot one-bedroom, an 800-square-foot two-bedroom, and an 800-square-foot two-story option designed for constrained lots. The two new designs under development reflect builder feedback and include a 1,000-square-foot three-bedroom option and a flexible carriage-house series with a garage and an upstairs dwelling unit.

Kitsap Builders Association members who attended an outreach session gave “good input” on logistics and design options, presenters said. Sammie Bruske of Artisans said the team has produced a side-by-side style guide that lists which modifications keep a plan within the preapproved set and which would require full review, so owners and builders “don’t venture off the cliff inadvertently.”

KRCC staff said the licensed construction sets will be available to verified Kitsap County residents without charge; schematic images and promotional materials will be posted online but the full, stamped construction documents will be distributed through local building departments to verify residency and site applicability. Staff also said some jurisdictions are discussing discounted permitting fees for users of the preapproved sets.

Board members and mayors praised the collaboration across jurisdictions and asked about next steps. KRCC staff said outreach to realtors, builders and community groups is underway and that PSRC will include a presentation on the project in an upcoming toolbox session.

Ending: KRCC staff and Artisans Group recommended continuing targeted outreach, finalizing the style guide language and releasing the four licensed plan sets to jurisdictions for distribution in June, followed by the two larger plan sets in the fall. No formal board vote was taken on the ADU project during the meeting.