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Hearing examiner to rule on ADU permit after county planner recommends approval in South Kitsap
Summary
At an April 9, 2026 Kitsap County hearing, county planner Jason Walsh recommended conditional approval of a conditional use permit for an 886 sq ft accessory dwelling unit (file 25-04022, Davidson Van Horn); no public comments were received and the hearing record was closed pending the examiner’s written decision.
Ryan Vansell, the Kitsap County hearing examiner, presided over a public hearing on April 9, 2026, on an application (file 25-04022) for a conditional use permit to allow an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) associated with the Davidson Van Horn property. County planner Jason Robert Walsh told the examiner the Department of Community Development recommends conditional approval and that the department’s SEPA determination of nonsignificance (DNS) issued Feb. 12, 2026, received no appeals.
"The proposed ADU is 886 square feet," Walsh said, noting the maximum allowable ADU size for the primary dwelling is 900 square feet and that the primary residence totals 2,704 square feet. Walsh said the parcel identified by the county assessor (parcel 302302-4-050-2002) is 2.14 acres and is listed at 11151 Jacobs Lane SE, Port Orchard. The examiner opened the hearing with the project also described earlier in the record as being in the 5400 block of Southeast Bethel Road; the record reflects both location references.
Walsh said the site and surrounding lots are zoned Rural Residential, the ADU would sit about 77 feet from the primary residence, and the proposed design uses matching materials and colors to the main house. He told the examiner that regulatory checks found no critical area ordinance constraints requiring a geologic assessment, that water and sewer health approvals have been met, and that the unit is not a recreational vehicle or mobile home. The site plan shows four off-street parking spaces to serve the primary residence and ADU. Walsh summarized: "The staff finds the proposal meets the special use criteria in Kitsap County code and recommends approval as conditioned."
No members of the public signed in to speak and staff reported no written public comments were received by the department. The examiner invited any applicant comment; an applicant-team representative identified himself online as Jason Campbell and said he was present but had no statement. The examiner then admitted exhibits 1–22 into the record and closed the hearing.
"I will review this matter and get a decision on it," Vansell said, indicating a written decision will follow. The record shows the department will place conditions on the permit, including any applicable stormwater controls under County Title 12; those conditions will be reflected in the examiner’s forthcoming decision. The hearing concluded with no oral testimony in opposition recorded.
