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:

• BIMC 16.12 (Regulations Only) (PDF)
• Complete Official Version Ordinance 2014-04 Including Goals, Policies and Regulations) (PDF)

Official shoreline designations are mapped (PDF).

The City of Bainbridge Island and Department of Ecology Shoreline Master Program Joint Public Comment Period and Public Hearing

Critical areas within the City’s shoreline jurisdiction are regulated using the City’s Shoreline Master Program (SMP), not its Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO). The City’s existing SMP contains goals, policies, and regulations relating to critical areas, largely found in an appendix (Appendix B). Appendix B is more or less the same as Chapter 16.20 of the City’s municipal code (BIMC 16.20, Critical Areas Ordinance). Since the City recently adopted an update to its CAO (effective April 23, 2018), amendments to the SMP are needed to integrate the new critical areas regulations. Links to the draft amendments and integration approach are provided below.

• Public Comment Requested – May 11 to June 11, 2018 at 5 p.m.
• Public Hearing – May 24, 2018 at 7 p.m.

The City of Bainbridge Island and the Washington Department of Ecology seek public comment on the City of Bainbridge Island’s proposed amendment to its Shoreline Master Program (SMP) using the optional joint review process under WAC 173-26-104.

The City has prepared draft SMP amendments to update the critical areas provisions of their Shoreline Master Program, following the recent adoption of their updated Critical Areas Ordinance. The draft SMP amendments are available for review at the City of Bainbridge Island Department of Planning and Community Development, 280 Madison Avenue North, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 or here: 

SMP Draft Amendments – May 24, 2018 Public Hearing Draft

SMP Draft Amendments – Integration Approach

Public comments will be accepted from May 11 to June 11, 2018 at 5 p.m. A joint local/state public hearing is set for May 24th at 7 p.m. at the Bainbridge Island Planning Commission meeting held at City Hall (280 Madison Ave N). Comments sent to the City will be forwarded to the Department of Ecology. 

All interested parties are invited to provide comment about the proposed amendment during this public comment period. There are several ways to provide comments. You only need to submit your comments once.

Submit written comments and questions to:

City of Bainbridge Island
Department of Planning and Community Development
280 Madison Ave N
Bainbridge Island, WA  98110
Staff Contact:  Senior City Planner Christy Carr
Email:  pcd@bainbridgewa.gov
Phone:  206.780.3719

Comments must be received no later than June 11, 2018 at 5 p.m.

SMP Amendment

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:

• Check Planning Commission agendas for meeting dates and times.
• Sign up for e-mail notifications.

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

April 26, 2018

Meeting summary will be posted soon.

April 12, 2018

• Meeting Summary (PDF)

Background Documents

• Nonconforming Structures Table (PDF) - Proposed allowed actions related to different types of nonconforming structures.
• Proposed Revised SMP Section 4.2.1 (PDF) - Proposed revisions under consideration.
• Existing SMP Section 4.2.1 (PDF)

February 8, 2018 Meeting

• Meeting Summary (PDF)

Background Documents

• Excerpts from Existing SMP (PDF) - Existing Development Policy and Regulations
• Existing Development Comparison Table (PDF) - SMP, Critical Areas Ordinance and Zoning
• Staff Memo (PDF)

January 25, 2018 Meeting

• Meeting Summary (PDF)

Background Documents

• Draft Work Plan (PDF)
• Staff Memo with guiding themes (PDF)

January 11, 2018 Meeting

• Meeting Summary (PDF)

Background Documents

• Draft Work Plan (PDF)
• SMP Handbook - Chapter 14, Legally Existing Uses and Development (PDF)
• Staff Memo with guiding themes (PDF)
• WAC 173-27-080 - Nonconforming Uses and Development Standards (PDF)

Aquaculture Limited Amendment 

The City of Bainbridge Island adopted the proposed limited amendment on October 11, 2016.  The City is currently awaiting the Department of Ecology's decision on the limited amendment.

• Exhibit 1 (PDF)
• Exhibit 2 (PDF)
• Exhibit 3 (PDF)
• Ordinance 2016-06 (PDF)

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.

• Ecology Comment Matrix (PDF)
• Submittal Package to the Department of Ecology (PDF) (180MB)

Other Shoreline Master Program Information

• Regulatory Guidance Memos (PDF)
• Shoreline Master Plan FAQ's (PDF)

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