If you’ve ever dreamed of building a guest cottage, a rental unit, or a quiet studio space out back—this might be the moment you’ve been waiting for.
Bainbridge Island is on the edge of a quiet but important transformation when it comes to what’s possible on residential land. Thanks to a new regional effort, homeowners now have access to free, pre-approved ADU plans that are permit-ready, beautifully designed, and tailored for Kitsap County communities—including Bainbridge. And with new state legislation expanding housing options just around the corner, now is the time to start imagining what your land could hold.
The Simplicity of Pre-Approved Plans
One of the biggest hurdles in building an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) has always been the red tape: long wait times, custom architectural drawings, design reviews, and unpredictable costs. But that’s starting to shift.
Kitsap County, along with Bainbridge Island and other local cities, has launched a permit-ready ADU program that features four beautifully designed layouts—ranging from a cozy 480 square foot cottage to an efficient two-story 800 square foot home. These plans were created by the Artisans Group (an award-winning architecture firm), and they’re already approved for local use. That means no long waits for plan review, and no extra fees for design.
You can customize exterior elements like roof pitch, siding, and color—while still staying within the pre-approved framework. Two larger 1,000 square foot options (including a carriage house style) are expected to be released later this year.
If you want to take a peek at the designs, you can find them here:
👉 Permit-Ready ADU Program – Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council
Or head straight to the full program info and FAQs here:
👉 https://www.kitsapgov.com/dcd/Pages/ADU.aspx
How It Works on Bainbridge
If you live on Bainbridge Island, these permit-ready designs can be used just like anywhere else in the county—with a few Island-specific considerations like setbacks, utility hookups, and site planning. You’ll still need to apply for a building permit and get approval for things like sewer, water, and stormwater connections—but the design side is already done for you.
This is especially good news for anyone hoping to:
- Create rental income with a separate unit
- Build a home for an aging parent or adult child
- Add value to a property before selling
- Invest in flexible housing for the future
I’ve already started conversations with a few clients who are using these plans to skip months of delay and start building now.
Looking Ahead: The Impact of House Bill 1110
Now, if you’re thinking long-term, there’s one more piece of this puzzle that’s important to know.
In 2023, Washington passed House Bill 1110, which requires cities—including Bainbridge—to allow more housing types in areas that were once zoned only for single-family homes. By July 2025, Bainbridge will need to allow options like duplexes, triplexes, and even small multi-family homes in many neighborhoods that previously didn’t permit them.
The specifics are still being worked out at the city level, but it’s clear that the rules are changing—and they’re changing in favor of flexibility, affordability, and smarter land use.
That means the decisions you make today—like whether to add an ADU—could become part of a much bigger opportunity down the road.
If you’re curious about how this applies to your lot or want help walking through the permitting steps, let’s connect. I can help you figure out the right plan, what utilities you’ll need, or whether your site qualifies now.
Big change is coming—but it’s the good kind. The kind that lets us think creatively, live more connected, and shape the homes we want to grow old in.
