ADU Rules Outside UGAs: A Hansville Homeowner Guide

Thinking about adding an ADU on your Hansville property outside an Urban Growth Area? You are not alone. Many homeowners want space for multigenerational living or a future rental, but rural rules differ from what you might hear about cities. This guide breaks down what Kitsap County actually requires, the common Hansville site hurdles, and a simple path to get started. Let’s dive in.

Why rural ADU rules differ

State law has focused on expanding ADUs inside Urban Growth Areas, while counties keep more control in rural zones. In Hansville, your lot is governed by Kitsap County rules, not city code. For background, see the state’s ADU guidance and remember that county code is the final word for rural parcels.

• Learn the state framework in the Department of Commerce’s state ADU guidance: state ADU guidance
• Review the county’s rural ADU standards: Kitsap County’s ADU standards for rural areas

Core ADU rules in Hansville

These are the load-bearing rules that shape most rural ADU projects.

• Permit type: Outside UGAs, a new detached ADU typically needs a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) with a public hearing before the Hearing Examiner.
• One per lot: Only one ADU is allowed on a rural lot.
• Owner occupancy: The owner must live on the property in either the main home or the ADU.
• Size limit: Your ADU can be no larger than 50% of the primary home or 900 square feet, whichever is smaller.
• Siting: A detached ADU must sit within 150 feet of the primary home or be a conversion of an existing detached structure, such as a garage.
• Design and setbacks: The ADU must maintain the appearance of the primary home and meet normal setbacks.
• Access and parking: Use the same side-street entrance as the main home and provide off-street parking.
• Prohibited units: Mobile homes, RVs, and similar vehicles cannot be used as ADUs.
• Water and septic: You must show potable water and adequate sewage disposal. Start early with Health District requirements: Kitsap Public Health’s Building Clearance and septic guidance
• Land use binder and existing units: Approvals are recorded to title. If you already have an unpermitted ADU, there is a pathway to bring it into compliance if you meet documentation standards.

Permit path, step by step

Understanding the process helps you plan time and budget.

1. Confirm zoning, UGA status, and overlays on county mapping tools. Note shoreline or critical areas that could change the path.
2. Schedule a pre-application meeting with Kitsap County DCD to scope studies and confirm the permit type. See the county’s project permit procedures and CUP process.
3. Submit the land-use application with site plan, narrative, and any studies. SEPA may apply based on impacts.
4. Attend the public hearing if a Type III CUP is required. Conditions may be placed on approvals.
5. After land-use approval, apply for building permits, health approvals for water/septic, and any engineering permits. Fire district review may apply for access and life safety.
6. Complete inspections and record any required land use binder on title.

Hansville site constraints to check

Rural Hansville parcels often hinge on the items below. Early homework saves time and cost.

• Potable water: Many properties use private wells or small systems. Confirm capacity and documentation with the Health District: drinking water program
• Septic capacity and reserve area: You will need a permitted system and a reserve or replacement area. Missing records or upgrades can delay approvals.
• Shoreline jurisdiction: Parcels near Admiralty Inlet, Coon Bay, or Point No Point may trigger shoreline permits. Check the Shoreline Master Program use matrix.
• Critical areas and slopes: Wetlands, steep slopes, and habitat buffers can require studies or mitigation. Start with this county overview: building on shoreline or steep slope
• Access and roads: Your ADU must use the same driveway as the primary home. New drive or road work may require engineering and stormwater review.
• Utilities and fire safety: Plan for power and communications extensions and fire district access standards. Coordinate early with North Kitsap Fire & Rescue.

HOAs and private covenants

County approval does not change private covenants. Your HOA or deed restrictions may limit or prohibit ADUs on rural parcels even when the county would allow one. Always review recorded covenants before you design, apply, or build.

Financing and tax notes

State-level incentives continue to evolve. Some property tax exemptions for ADUs rented to eligible tenants require local adoption before they apply. For current eligibility and administration details, see the Department of Revenue notice on ADU tax exemptions.

Your next steps

Use this quick checklist to move your Hansville ADU from idea to plan.

• Gather your parcel number, well and septic records, and a simple site sketch.
• Verify UGA status and any shoreline or critical-area overlays on county maps.
• Book a DCD pre-application meeting to confirm permit type and required studies.
• Contact Kitsap Public Health to review septic capacity and water documentation.
• Line up any needed reports early, such as geotechnical or wetland delineation.
• Prepare for a CUP hearing if required, and plan for owner occupancy, same-driveway access, and on-site parking in your submittal.

If you are weighing ADU potential as part of a purchase or you want to position your Hansville property for resale, reach out. You will get clear guidance on which lots align with the rules and what to expect from permits, timelines, and resale value. Connect with Meredith Laws to talk through your goals.

FAQs

Can you build a detached ADU in Hansville outside a UGA?

• Yes, but it is not by right. In rural Kitsap, detached ADUs typically need a Conditional Use Permit and must meet size, owner-occupancy, siting, access, and health standards.

What is the maximum ADU size on a rural lot?

• Your ADU cannot exceed 50% of the primary home’s habitable area or 900 square feet, whichever is smaller.

Do you have to live on the property if you add an ADU?

• Yes. Outside UGAs, the owner must reside on the parcel in either the main home or the ADU.

How close must a detached ADU be to the main home?

• It must be within 150 feet of the primary residence, unless you are converting an existing detached structure like a garage.

What issues most often derail Hansville ADUs?

• Septic capacity and reserve area, well capacity or documentation, shoreline or critical-area buffers, and access or road upgrades are the most common feasibility hurdles.