Reform Port Orchard permitting process

113

Let’s get to 200 signatures!
Petitions with 1,000+ supporters are 5x more likely to win!

The Issue

The permitting process in Port Orchard and Kitsap County has become a barrier rather than a facilitator for growth and development. Business owners, developers, and residents face prolonged waiting times to get their permits approved, hampering economic activity, delaying construction projects, and ultimately discouraging investment in our community. The inefficiencies in the current system are detrimental to the vibrancy and prosperity of our area.

It is imperative that we take immediate action to reform the permitting process to make it more transparent, efficient, and accountable. The citizens and business owners of Port Orchard and Kitsap County demand several crucial changes:

**1. Transparency:** We call for full transparency in the permitting process. This includes providing applicants with detailed information on requirements, processes, and progress of their applications. Transparency will not only enhance trust but also enable applicants to better prepare and adhere to necessary guidelines.

**2. Audits:** Conduct comprehensive audits of the permitting system to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies. An external or third-party audit can provide unbiased insights into the current shortcomings and areas for improvement. These audits should be made public to ensure accountability.

**3. Structured Timeline:** Establish a structured timeline that provides clear expectations for applicants. It is crucial that there is a reasonable and consistent timeframe within which permits are processed. Delays cost time and money, and predictability in the process will allow businesses and residents to plan accordingly.

By implementing these reforms, we can make Port Orchard and Kitsap County a more attractive place for businesses and developers, while ensuring that our community thrives under a more transparent and efficient permitting process.

Sign this petition to urge the city of Port Orchard and Kitsap County to implement these necessary reforms immediately. Let's transform our community into a model of efficiency and transparency.

avatar of the starter
jamie williamsPetition Starter
Media inquiries

The Decision Makers

Port Orchard City Council
7 Members
1 Responded
Shirah Dedman
Shirah Dedman
Port Orchard City Council - Position 6
“We've heard our business community loud and clear! Our mayor is the city's top administrator which means he oversees human resources. But the council is researching what policy actions can help solve this issue. Shirah Dedman Councilmember”
Heidi Fenton
Heidi Fenton
Port Orchard City Council - Position 5
Scott Diener
Scott Diener
Port Orchard City Council - Position 3
Robert Putaansuu
Robert Putaansuu
Port Orchard City Mayor
Responded
“There has been a lot of public discussion recently surrounding the struggles our small business community is having with the permitting process. I have frequently spoken about the process and customer service experience improvements the City is undertaking to address how we can better assist our business community. We currently offer 30-minute on-site meetings to prospective business owners to review their business plan prior to them signing a lease for a commercial property. This meeting can save valuable time and resources by getting important information to DCD early and answer any questions you have about use, permitting, and construction before you sign a lease. But I also want to ensure that misinformation is timely corrected so that confidence in our City is not unfairly impacted. I understand there is a community blog profiling small business owners, who are being interviewed about their experience in operating in the city. Earlier this week, a specific Virtual Reality business was featured and provided those business owners’ story about the struggles they had with getting their business up and running. We empathize with this business and the struggles that all small business owners face taking the leap to expand, recognizing that we can do better and are taking corrective action to improve city processes as well as the customer service experience. However, there are two sides to every story, something this blog does not explore. The poster did not reach out to the city for comment, and I feel it is important for transparent public discussion to explain the issues with this specific case because it is one example of the issues we’ve been encountering. One issue that continues to recur in our community is new tenants signing a lease (with the associated costs) and moving into commercial spaces without doing due diligence prior to expending resources. Again, to avoid this issue, the City offers pre-application meetings to discuss all facets of the process before a tenant signs, which will save prospective business owners time and money. In the case of this VR business, a tenant improvement (TI) permit was submitted by the property manager (not the business owner) to remove walls between five smaller suites at the mall to create a more than 4,000 square foot space. That permit was submitted on May 17, 2023 and was initially approved on June 1, 2023. The final inspection was requested on December 12, 2023, by the mall manager after receiving notice that the permit had expired. This inspection passed on that same date. At the time the TI permit was submitted, the TI permit did not provide any information about the prospective tenant’s proposed use. During an onsite pre inspection at that time, the property manager shared that they were excited to have a prospective tenant interested in using the space. At that time, our building official recommended the property manager notify the tenant that the City offers a pre-app meeting so that City staff could learn more about their activities and let them know about the code requirements ahead of time. Based on what occurred next, either the property manager or tenant declined that offer. Had our building official been contacted, they would have explained all the items that were provided in the first round of plan review after the permit was applied for prior to their application. The tenant would have been aware of the challenges and known that they would need an architect before even applying for a permit. Escape rooms and virtual reality businesses create several unique challenges for building and fire code compliance because the activities combine elements of assembly occupancy, amusement attractions, and immersive environments. The adopted building and fire codes in place at the time of this application did not address these uses in a specific manner. So, it is up to the building official to determine what the use is based on how the described activities fit with the occupancy classifications identified in the code. Getting as much documented information as possible from the tenant about the proposed activities and doing research to learn about VR took some time, DCD’s review is based on the information that is provided. This project was complicated due to the limitations with the original mall design and permitting of the mall. This is an ongoing conversation with the mall owners and property manager as DCD has had issues when the mall wants to update suites to new uses such as food service establishments. These improvements are not limited to fire and life safety, they are also related to public health, sanitation, and accessibility. When DCD received the permit application from the VR business, the plan submitted contained one sheet of paper consisting of a floor plan that showed a virtual reality gaming area with an escape room and two-party rooms. Unfortunately, the business owner had signed the lease with the mall prior to understanding the…”
Kitsap County Commission
3 Members
Oran Root
Oran Root
Kitsap County Commission - District 2
Katie Walters
Katie Walters
Kitsap County Commission - District 3
Christine Rolfes
Christine Rolfes
Kitsap County Commission - District 1

Supporter Voices

Petition Updates

Share this petition

Petition created on February 19, 2026