Shoreline Master Program

The Shoreline Master Program (SMP) is the City's comprehensive plan for our shorelines which contains goals, policies, regulations and programs regarding use, development, conservation and restoration. The SMP is jointly adopted and administered by the City and the Washington State Department of Ecology under the Shoreline Management Act.The current SMP became effective in July 2014 after a comprehensive update process.

Complete Official Version Ordinance 2014-04 Including Goals, Policies and Regulations)(PDF)

Current Amendments in Process

Critical Areas Ordinance Integration and Nonconforming Regulations

This "limited amendment" is related to integrating the critical areas regulations that were adopted by the City in 2018 and updating regulations related to nonconforming uses, structures and lots. The draft amendment was approved by City Council in January 2019. The entire submittal package was sent to Washington State Department of Ecology for review in April 2019.

The City Council held a public hearing on September 22, 2020, on Ordinance No. 2020-17, amending the City's Shoreline Master Program related to critical areas regulations and nonconforming structures, uses, and lots. Final action by the City Council will be taken at a meeting in October or November 2020 once the environmental review is complete. The review is required by the State Environmental Policy Act. The Washington State Department of Ecology must give final approval for the amendment to take effect.

A Notice of Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS) was issued on 10/02/2020 regarding an amendment to the City's Shoreline Master Program (SMP). Comments must be submitted by no later than 4:00pm on October 16, 2020.

Questions? Contact:

Annie Hillier, MMA

ahillier@bainbridgewa.gov

206-780-3773

SMP Periodic Review

The Shoreline Management Act requires communities to complete a "periodic review" of their SMP every eight years. This review is not a major update of the SMP like the City adopted in 2014. Its purpose is to ensure the SMP is consistent with changes in state law and addresses errors, omissions and opportunities for improved clarity and readability. A few additional substantive topics are planned to be addressed including flooding risk from sea level rise, aquaculture and possibly updating aquatic shoreline designations and procedures.

The Planning Commission started the periodic review process between May and July 2019. Since then, the Department of Ecology (DOE) has extended the adoption date from June 2020 to June 30, 2021. Due to the extended timeline, staffing changes and the COVID-19 pandemic, the City adopted an updated Public Participation Program and Work Plan on September 1, 2020. An online open house is in development.