Planning for the future of Brinnon / updated April 2025

(BSAP) indicates verbatim excerpt from the Brinnon Sub Area Plan, May, 2002

A Bit of History - Planning in Brinnon (BSAP)

During the 1994-95 process to update the 1982 Community Plan, the first such plan for Brinnon, the Planning Committee gathered survey results and comments in order to create a profile of the community. The essential theme echoed by residents was the importance of maintaining the rural character of Brinnon. As before, respondents favored the development or improvement of single- 12 family residences, convenience stores, retail and service businesses, agricultural and/or aquaculture production, marina operation and boat launches, and the expansion of parks and other public areas.

Respondents leaned towards preservation of the environment, moderate growth, suggestions for multi-family or assisted care housing for seniors, and an increase in conveniences. Citizens also requested support services for those in retirement, individuals with disabilities, and for commuters; services for recreational users such as hikers and divers, including inns; and encouragement of recreation, tourism, and small, job-creating industry.

In visualizing the Brinnon area fifteen years hence and addressing aesthetics, economy, and environment, the following lists were made during a meeting of the 1994 planning group. In the 1994 list below, those items noted with an asterisk (*) were emphasized by a majority of the group or were mentioned more than once.

How Do You Define Brinnon? (BSAP)

The community is comprised of long-time families and modern-day pioneers who choose to forego the luxuries of urban locations and delight in the challenges of a rural lifestyle. Brinnon is a community of many friendly people, happy to be living in this great area. They share, along with visitors, an appreciation for the sea and wildlife, significant natural beauty; and peace, quiet, clean air and clean water.

Brinnon is a remote rural community, 45 miles from the urban County seat and far from neighboring communities, and must forge its own opportunities. Like the pioneers and the native inhabitants before them, the people of Brinnon value independence and freedom of enterprise.

Brinnon’s innovative relationship to its economy is one aspect of its character. This is exemplified by creative home businesses and attention to resource lands. In addition to more intensive commercial zones along Highway 101, Brinnon strives for a natural balance between rural living and economic stability. One way to achieve this is to blend commercial activities and residential areas through encouragement of home businesses and cottage industries.

Brinnon embraces a diversity of people with an expanse of collective experience. By adapting to and nurturing each other’s interests, both commercial and cultural, new opportunities can emerge.

Why Plan? (BSAP)

The citizens of Brinnon are uniquely qualified to understand Brinnon’s current and future needs. Although not all individual desires for the community can be met at this time, and many of the recommendations and suggested strategies will take additional, in-depth planning, it is expected that this community plan will be reviewed and updated at least every five years.

What about implementation?

The successful implementation of the Brinnon Subarea Plan and the achievement of its vision is a shared venture requiring continuing community support and vigilance.

Private actions by individuals and/or local citizen committees may be necessary to protect and defend the rights of the individual and to enforce the vision of community development written in this Plan. The integrity and enforcement of the Brinnon Subarea Plan can be assured by the continuing support of local citizens in cooperation with our elected officials.

This plan and its progress should be reviewed every five years, or as needed, in a coordinated effort with the citizens of the Brinnon area community, so that as attitudes and conditions change the Plan can be revised accordingly.

What’s the process?

What can we hope to achieve?

In 2002 the people of Brinnon finalized their sub-area plan, which is integrated into the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan. This PLANNING page is dedicated to furthering that effort. We want to ensure that Brinnon develops as a rural village with a sustainable local economy that protects our precious natural resources.

Planning for the Rural Village of Brinnon

Planning Resources