KCAA Comments on“Year of the Rural” (YOTR) Draft Plans

Scott Hall
Sep 12
4 min read

Updated: Oct 12

Kitsap County's Department of Community Development (DCD) has released their DRAFT updates of the Comp Plan's Rural and Resource Lands Chapter, as well as the updated draft Agricultural Code. Below are our comments.

🌾 KCAA Comments on Kitsap County’s YOTR Draft Plans:

Background:

Kitsap County’s Year of the Rural (YOTR) initiative is meant to highlight the value of rural communities, strengthen protections for working lands, and help the County comply with the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA) — which requires long-term planning for rural and resource lands, including agriculture. The County has released draft updates to the Rural and Resource Lands (RRL) Element of the Comprehensive Plan and proposed several Agriculture Code changes. These could shape how rural life and farming function for decades to come.

The KCAA's Government Relations committee reviewed the drafts closely. While we appreciate the County’s effort to focus on rural issues, the current proposals fall short of what’s needed to protect farmland, support farmers, and ensure a truly inclusive planning process.

Why It Matters:

Kitsap’s farms and open spaces are part of our shared heritage — they support food security, wildlife, local economies, and community identity. Yet today, no land in Kitsap County is zoned specifically for agriculture, and farmland continues to disappear at an alarming rate. The Year of the Rural is a rare opportunity to change course — to create a clear plan that values and protects agriculture as a permanent part of Kitsap’s landscape.

1. Kitsap Has Never Zoned Any Land for Agriculture

Under the Growth Management Act, every county must identify and protect Agricultural Resource Lands (ARL) — lands of long-term commercial significance for farming. Kitsap County has never designated any ARL. That means:

There’s no farmland zoning and no safeguards for commercial agriculture.
Most farming happens on residentially zoned land, where development pressure and neighborhood conflicts are constant.
There’s limited room for farm infrastructure such as storage, processing, or repair facilities that keep farms viable.

Without ARL designation, farms remain temporary, vulnerable, and largely unprotected — no matter how productive the soil or how long the family has worked the land.

2. Agriculture Shouldn’t Be Treated as a Suburban Hobby

When farms must operate in residential zones, farmers are treated like homeowners — not land stewards or business operators. They face complaints over noise, smells, or traffic from normal farm activity, and the County’s “Right to Farm” protections are limited. If Kitsap truly values rural character, the Comprehensive Plan must recognize that agriculture is more than an accessory use. It’s an essential land use that deserves its own zoning, its own space, and its own future.

3. “Working Lands” Sounds Promising — But It’s Undefined

The new draft introduces the concept of “Agricultural Working Lands” as part of a proposed Resource Lands Overlay. Unfortunately, the term isn’t defined, and no map shows where these lands are. Without clear criteria or zoning, the overlay provides no actual protection — just a label. KCAA supports exploring new ideas like a Working Lands overlay, but it must come with real definitions, maps, and measurable protections, not symbolic language.

4. Agricultural Code Updates: Some Good, Some Problematic

The County is also proposing several code changes. KCAA supports a few, questions others, and recommends delaying some until the community can give full attention.

Support:

Allowing shipping containers for agricultural use.
Removing the outdated 4-ounce tasting agreement rule.

Recommend Revision:

The 864 sq. ft. exemption for agricultural buildings is too small; real farm structures often exceed that. Exemptions should reflect legitimate agricultural needs.

Delay:

KCAA values the inclusion of equestrian topics; however, because these changes were added late and received most of the attention at the September 11 meeting, we recommend postponing them until after the Year of the Rural project concludes to allow balanced consideration of all rural issues.

5. Rural and Resource Lands Element: Missing the Mark

The draft RRL Element reads like it supports farming, but in reality, none of the goals or policies create enforceable protections. For years, County plans have promised to “re-evaluate Agricultural Resource Lands” — but no action has followed.

KCAA recommends adding two key policies:

Require a periodic review and update of agricultural policies and regulations with every Comprehensive Plan cycle.
Establish an Agriculture Advisory Council so farmers, residents, and rural advocates can provide input year-round — not just during brief comment periods every 10 years.

6. Public Participation: Too Little, Too Late

A strong plan begins with public input — but in this process, the public barely had a chance to participate.

Drafts were released just seven business days before the only public meeting.
Many people who signed up for updates never received notice.
The September 11 meeting focused almost entirely on equestrian concerns, leaving limited opportunity for discussion of agriculture, forestry, and other rural issues.

KCAA is asking the County to hold at least one additional meeting dedicated to broader rural topics before sending the draft to the Planning Commission.

What We’re Asking For:

To make the Year of the Rural a true turning point, KCAA urges Kitsap County to:

Designate Agricultural Resource Lands (ARL) as required by state law.
Balance residential and agricultural uses in rural zones.
Define and map “Working Lands” in a way that provides real protection.
Adopt practical, farmer-informed code updates.
Ensure transparent, inclusive public participation.

💬 How You Can Help:

This is a crucial moment for rural Kitsap. Whether you’re a farmer, gardener, equestrian, or simply someone who values open space and local food, your voice matters.

📅 Attend future County meetings on the Year of the Rural. Keep an eye on the YOTR website for updates to the meeting and presentation schedule.
📝 Submit written comments to the Department of Community Development (DCD). Please use this form to share your perspectives, concerns, or suggestions regarding these proposals. The comment period is September 2 - November 10, 2025
🤝 Join KCAA today! Membership is free and open to everyone—including farmers, landowners, and supporters of local agriculture. You can also join our mailing list receive updates and information we share with the community.