PORT ORCHARD — New legislation signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee is affecting how counties in the state manage development supported by water right permit-exempt wells.

The changes primarily affect how the Kitsap County Department of Community Development (DCD) reviews and approves new building permits relying on water from domestic use from a permit-exempt well approved after the legislation was signed.

The new law requires DCD to collect a $500 fee for each of these building permits and for applicants to record a notice to title setting new limitations for groundwater withdrawal, according to the county department.

Here are the new requirements:

• Effective immediately, Kitsap County will collect a one-time $500 fee from applicants for a building permit that proposes a new withdrawal from a water right permit-exempt well approved after Jan. 19. Of this fee, $350 will go to the Department of Ecology and $150 will be used for Kitsap County to administer the program.
• Domestic water use from a new water right permit-exempt well is limited to a maximum annual average withdrawal of 950 gallons per day, per connection, with an overall limit for all connections subject to the existing 5,000 gallons per day limit, according to DCD.
• Stormwater must be managed on site to the extent it’s practical using low-impact development. Following the county’s stormwater rules will satisfy this requirement, the agency said.
• If a drought emergency order is issued for the area by the state Department of Ecology, domestic water may be further curtailed by Ecology to 350 gallons per day per connection for indoor use only.
• Building permit applicants will need to record this water volume limitation and drought condition restrictions on the title of the subject property before the permit is issued.
• Kitsap County building permit applicants are already required to provide evidence of an adequate water supply for the intended use of the proposed development or building, subject to the new requirements.
• Building permits issued for structures requiring water for domestic use that are served by water purveyors, municipal utilities or water right permit-exempt wells in existence prior to Jan. 19 are exempt from the new fee, requirements and limitations.

To have questions answered or to see if the new regulations will affect your project or development, call 360-337-5777.