Shoreline Master Program

The Shoreline Master Program (SMP) establishes goals, policies and regulations for the shoreline jurisdiction of Bainbridge Island. The current SMP became effective in July 2014 after a comprehensive update process. The SMP is available in two versions:

Official shoreline designations are mapped (PDF).

SMP Amendment

2018 City of Bainbridge Island proposed Shoreline Master Program Amendment Joint Local-State Public Comment Period 

**Public Comment Period Extended until November 9, 2018**

This extended comment period is intended to receive input on proposed changes largely in these sections of the City’s Shoreline Master Program (SMP):

  • Section 4.1.5, Critical Areas
  • Section 4.2.1, Nonconforming Uses, Structures, and Lots
  • Section 8.0, Definitions

The Planning Commission’s recommended draft SMP amendment was transmitted to the City Council on September 11, 2018. The City Council will continue its discussion of the draft SMP at regularly scheduled meetings.  Check City Council agendas for more information:

https://www.bainbridgewa.gov/1101/City-Council-Agendas

Purpose of Amendment

The City completed its state-mandated update to its critical areas ordinance in April 2018. The updated critical areas regulations cannot be applied within the shoreline jurisdiction until an amendment to the SMP integrating these regulations is locally adopted by City Council and approved by the Washington Department of Ecology. The intent of the amendment is simply to integrate recently updated critical areas regulations into the SMP and improve implementation effectiveness by clarifying regulations and removing duplication. 

The majority of draft revisions related to nonconforming structures, uses, and lots are intended to improve clarity and eliminate vagueness, repetition, and/or internal conflict. In addition, the Planning Commission’s draft revisions include a number of changes to allowed actions for nonconforming structures, including replacement and expansion of intentionally demolished structures.

Public Comment Period

The City and Washington Department of Ecology are seeking comments on the City’s proposed amendments to its SMP using the optional joint review process under WAC 173-26-104 .

The Joint Local-State Public Comment Period has been extended and will end November 9, 2018 at 5:00 pm.

The draft SMP materials are available for in-person review at the following location:

City of Bainbridge Island
Department of Planning and Community Development
280 Madison Ave. N.
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

At the conclusion of the comment period, the City will prepare a response to comments and determine if changes are needed. Public comments and the City responses will be shared with Ecology. After the City makes any final amendments to the SMP it will send them to Ecology for review. After local adoption, the SMP amendment will be formally submitted to Ecology for final decision per WAC 173-26-104 and WAC 173-26-110. No additional comment period will occur during the state review process.

Submit written comments and questions to:

City of Bainbridge Island
Department of Planning and Community Development
280 Madison Ave N
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Email: pcd@bainbridgewa.gov

Staff Contact: 

Christy Carr, AICP, Senior Planner
Phone: 206.780.3719

Background Information and Draft Documents

SMP Draft Amendments – September 11, 2018 Public Hearing Draft (Entire SMP**)

**The majority of changes are located in Section 4.1.5, Critical Areas; 4.2.1, Nonconforming Uses, Nonconforming Structures, and Nonconforming Lots; and 8.0, Definitions. Please see Reader’s Guide on the first page of the draft amendment.

Existing Section 4.2.1 – Existing SMP section on nonconforming uses, lots, and existing development provided for background.

Nonconforming Structures Summary Table – Summarizes proposed allowed actions for different types of nonconforming structures.

Critical Areas Summary Sheet – Summarizes purpose of amendment and major changes related to critical areas.

Summary of Planning Commission Recommendations – September 11, 2018 memo provided to City Council.

Summary of Planning Commission Recommendations – October 2, 2018 presentation at City Council study session.

Additional amendments to the City's Shoreline Master Program are currently under review by the City's Planning Commission. Regularly scheduled Planning Commission meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at City Hall.

Public comment is accepted at each meeting. You may stay up to date on the amendment the following ways:

Background information, draft documents and meeting summaries will be posted regularly on this page.

April 12, 2018

Background Documents

February 8, 2018 Meeting

Background Documents

January 25, 2018 Meeting

Background Documents

January 11, 2018 Meeting

Background Documents

Aquaculture Limited Amendment 

The City of Bainbridge Island adopted the proposed limited amendment on October 11, 2016.  The City is currently coordinating with the Department of Ecology on next steps for the limited amendment.

As part of the requirements for processing a limited amendment, the City prepared a submittal package that was transmitted to the Department of Ecology for review on February 17, 2017. Ecology held a public comment period ending June 9, 2017. The City has until January 2, 2018 to respond to comments. Ecology will then make a decision on the City's limited amendment. Pending Ecology approval, the existing aquaculture policies and regulations remain in effect.

Other Shoreline Master Program Information

If you have questions or comments regarding this project please contact Senior City Planner Christy Carr at 206-780-3719 or email.