Critical Areas

Critical Areas

Under Washington’s Growth Management Act (GMA), all cities and counties are asked to care for our environment by adopting rules that protect “critical areas.” These areas include specific natural environments, wildlife habitats, and sources of fresh drinking water. The regulations also help keep communities safe by guiding development away from places at risk of natural hazards like flooding and landslides.

RCW 36.70A.030 defines five types of critical areas, which are then regulated by the Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC):

In the same spirit, the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) helps protect Washington’s shorelines, as outlined in RCW 90.58.020. Here in Bremerton, we carry out these protections through our local Shoreline Management Program, developed in partnership with the Department of Ecology.

Development within critical areas and their associated buffers is managed carefully to ensure protected natural environments are not negatively impacted. This often restricts development from occurring in the vicinity of protected areas, and prohibits the removal of vegetation dependent on specific site conditions. Proposals to modify critical areas often require the property owner to hire a qualified professional to demonstrate code conformance and make a site specific determination. If you have questions about critical areas, please contact staff at 360-473-5845.

KitsapCountyParcelSearch

Please Note:
If you are interested in exploring where critical areas may be located, please visit the Kitsap County Parcel Search for available mapping. To view critical areas:

  1. Locate the Manage Layers dialogue box
  2. In the Choose A Theme dropdown, choose Critical Areas


Proposed Updates to the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) and Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO)

The City is currently in the process of updating the Critical Areas Ordinance and Shorelines Master Program. Please feel free to contact Planning Manager Garrett Jackson with any questions you may have, including how to participate (garrett.jackson@ci.bremerton.wa.us or 360-473-5289). To view a physical copy of proposed changes, please visit the Department of Community Development at 345 6th Street, Suite 600 Bremerton, WA 98337. To view potential amendments, please visit our Shoreline Master Program webpage.