Advocacy in Action: Bainbridge Island Moves Toward Housing Compliance

Bainbridge Island has taken an important step toward completing a comprehensive plan that meets Washington’s housing requirements.

The Washington State Department of Commerce selected Bainbridge Island for review under the 2025 Housing Accountability Act, which strengthens state oversight of local housing plans and development regulations. Commerce initially determined that the City had not adequately demonstrated sufficient housing capacity for households at all income levels.

Throughout the process, the Kitsap Building Association has advocated for development regulations that create genuine, economically feasible housing capacity, not simply capacity that exists on paper.

On August 25, the Bainbridge Island City Council adopted interim development regulations intended to address the state’s concerns. Before the vote, Commerce determined that the draft regulations provided sufficient capacity to meet the City’s allocated housing needs. Their adoption positions the city to receive an additional 120 days to complete its comprehensive plan and remaining corrective actions, with a new deadline of December 19.

This represents meaningful progress, but the process is not finished. The City must complete its updated land-capacity analysis, adopt its comprehensive plan and permanent development regulations, and receive a final compliance determination from Commerce.

The KBA will remain engaged as this work continues, advocating for policies that expand housing opportunities while ensuring the regulations are practical enough for that housing to be built.