Director - Katharine Cook
Deputy Director - Christopher Wierzbicki
280 Madison Ave. N.
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 842-2552 (main number)
(206) 780-3769 (code enforcement)
(206) 780-3789 (inspection requests)
(206) 780-3796 (Building permit status)
Mission
The mission of the Department of Planning & Community Development is to coordinate and manage land use activity on the island and activities in the island's harbors. This includes implementation of the Comprehensive Plan; administration of building, shoreline, environmental, subdivision, and harbor regulations; development review; code compliance, and support for a variety of citizen committees, including the Planning Commission. |
The department's intent on behalf of the City of Bainbridge Island is to keep its citizens fully informed of development activities, changes to regulations, and planning projects. In order to accomplish this, the department engages the public through a variety of notification processes.
Structure
The department is composed of three divisions: Building, Current Planning and Long Range Planning.
- The Building Division administers the International Building Codes for residential, commercial, and industrial structures through its permit and inspection activities.
- The Current Planning Division administers land use applications of a quasi-judicial nature as defined by the City Code. In all, the division has more than 30 separate application processes to administer.
- The Long Range Planning Division is almost entirely oriented to the preparation and updating of regulatory ordinances, long range plans (such as the City of Bainbridge Island Comprehensive Plan and the Shoreline Management Master Program) and special assigned projects.
Administration of the department is through the office of the Director and includes the Code Enforcement Officer and support staff to the department.
The department works with a number of citizen groups as part of its baseline public services. Citizen volunteers bring a range of expertise and experience to city committees and commissions. Department staff also coordinate activities with non-profit community organizations such as the Health Housing and Human Services Council.
Visiting the Department
Counter service is provided between 8 am and 4 pm on Monday, Tuesday and Friday and between 8 am and 12 pm on Wednesday and Thursday. City Hall will is open during these hours and planning staff is available for previously-arranged appointments. Read
more information about how to conduct business with the department during counter closures.
Building permit plan resubmittals and revisions are accepted Mon-Fri, 8-9 am.
An appointment is required for the submittal of any planning permit (excluding building permits).
The department's counter is closed from 12 - 4 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The reduction in counter service hours is intended to provide staff with uninterrupted time in which to focus on processing development permit applications in a more timely and efficient manner.
These hours will also be used to design and implement new processes to improve efficiency and responsiveness in serving city customers. Planned improvements include updating application forms for user-friendliness and clarity, reducing the backlog of pending permits and improving permit processing turn-around times, making online permitting available for minor construction activities and providing expanded resources for customers interested in green building.
Staff time will also be dedicated to an ongoing update of the city’s Land Use Code intended to reduce inconsistencies and provide clearer and more accessible regulations. Code sections scheduled for completion in 2009 include the Subdivision, Zoning and Administration Titles.
For more information on the change in counter hours, please contact Planning Director Kathy Cook at 780-3756 or Deputy Director Chris Wierzbicki at 780-3715. To be notified of future changes in procedures or forms, please
sign up for Planning & Community Development Procedures and Forms distribution list through the city's home page.
Who to call regarding...
- Structures or how they are built (building, plumbing, or mechanical codes) - Building Division 780-3750
- Scheduling a building inspection - Inspection Line 780-3789
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New address or street name - Building Division 780-3750
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Building permit status - status line, 780-3796
- Changes in use or what uses are allowed in a specific area - Current Planning Division 780-3750
- Structure placement or siting - Current Planning Division 780-3750
- Slopes or other critical areas - Current Planning Division 780-3750
- Zoning - Current Planning Division 780-3750
- Questions about the Comprehensive Plan or a neighborhood plan - Long Range Planning Division 780-3750
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Shoreline stewardship - Long Range Planning Division 780-3719
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