Kitsap County DCD permit guide
Do you need a permit for a deck in unincorporated Kitsap County?
Quoted from Kitsap County DCD's own pages, with the date we read them: October 13, 2026.
Short answer
Depends on the project
Kitsap County DCD's "Do I Need a Building Permit?" tool requires a permit for a deck that is attached to a building, 200 sq ft or larger, the landing for a main entry door, or near a critical area or buffer. It also sets a height trigger of 30 inches above grade (18 inches on shoreline property). A deck that meets none of those thresholds gets the answer "Not Required". Source [1]
The rule, quoted
The tool's guidance for the project type "Decks":
Permit Required if attached; ≥30" (non-shoreline); ≥18" (shoreline); ≥200 sq ft; main entry landing; or near a critical area/buffer.
The tool's result when none of those apply:
Not Required — thresholds not met.
What to submit
The County says each project type has "its own set of required documents and drawings", and that its intake checklists show the documents you will need, "such as a site plan, floor plans, and structural details". The checklists are linked from its Permit Pathways page. Source [2]
Worth knowing
- For a structure on a shoreline or in a critical area, the tool's answer is "Permit Required — any structure or new impervious surface within shoreline buffer or critical area." Source [1]
- Even when no building permit is needed, the tool says "your project still must follow building codes, zoning setbacks, shoreline rules, and other county regulations." Source [1]
- The tool says it is "provided for general information only" and "was developed in collaboration with AI tools, with significant input and oversight by staff." Confirm with DCD before you build. Source [1]
Sources
Where this comes from
Compiled from Kitsap County DCD's published rules; last checked
JKM pulls the permit as part of the job
Call Ian Laughlin at (206) 226-1988, or send the address and the scope. We find the right office and take it from there.