What is the property tax rate in Kitsap County?

The combined effective property tax rate in Kitsap County, Washington is approximately 0.92%.

Kitsap County Property Tax Calculator (2026) — Washington Property Tax Almanac

Property Tax in Kitsap County, 2026

A calculator and field guide for Port Orchard-area homeowners — and for anyone considering a move to Kitsap County — including Washington's 100% assessment ratio, the regular vs. excess levy structure, Initiative 747's 1% annual cap on regular levy revenue growth, and the income-tested Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Exemption with assessed-value freeze.

Kitsap County, home to Port Orchard and 280k Washingtonians, operates under Washington State's distinctive levy-based property tax system. Washington uses 100% assessment ratio (assessed at true and fair market value) and total tax combines state school + local school + county + city + special districts (typically expressed as dollars per $1,000 of AV). Initiative 747 (passed by voters in 2001) caps regular levy revenue growth at 1% per year per district.

How the bill is built

Washington's property tax calculation has two main steps. Step 1: Assessed Value. The Kitsap County Assessor reassesses property annually at true and fair market value. Step 2: Apply combined rate. Total rate combines all overlapping districts (state school + local schools + county + city + EMS + library + fire + park + flood control + cemetery, depending on location). Kitsap's combined rate is approximately 9.20 per $1,000 of AV. Tax = (AV × combined rate) / 1,000. Kitsap's effective rate of 0.92% reflects this calculation.

Initiative 747's 1% revenue cap creates structural rate stability. When property values rise, the rate decreases automatically so total levy revenue grows by no more than 1% per year per district (excluding new construction and voter-approved excess levies). This has produced unusually stable effective rates over time — long-term WA homeowners typically see modest, predictable bill growth even during housing bubbles. The cap excludes voter-approved school maintenance and operations levies, which is why school district rates often dominate the combined bill.

Washington has no state income tax — but compensates with high sales tax. Washington is one of nine US states with no state income tax (alongside TX, FL, TN, NV, SD, WY, AK, NH). The state-level sales tax is 6.5%, with local add-ons typically bringing combined sales tax to 8.5-10.5% depending on the locality (King County combined: ~10.1%, among the highest in the United States). For high-income residents the no-income-tax structure typically offsets the high sales tax substantially; for lower-income residents the trade-off is less favorable.

Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Exemption is income-tested. Income limits (2026): under $30,000 = full exemption from regular levies + AV freeze; $30K-$35K = 65% reduction + freeze; $35K-$45K = 35% reduction + freeze. Apply with the Kitsap Assessor office. The same program applies to disabled veterans — Washington does NOT have a separate veteran-specific full exemption, which puts WA among the less-generous states for disabled veterans relative to TX, FL, MI, NJ, PA, OH, or VA.

2026 Kitsap County rate breakdown (dollars per $1,000 of AV (100% assessment ratio), Port Orchard district)

Taxing entity	Rate
Bremerton Public Schools (~$2.55 / $1,000 AV)	2.5500
State School + Local Schools Levies	2.8500
Kitsap County General + Roads + Misc	1.5000
City of Bremerton + EMS + Library	2.3000
Combined total	9.2000

As of April 26, 2026 · From Kitsap County Assessor.

Note: Kitsap County, on the Kitsap Peninsula across Puget Sound from Seattle, is connected to the Seattle/King County metro via the Washington State Ferries (Bainbridge Island - Seattle ferry, ~35 min). The county includes the Naval Base Kitsap (the largest US Navy base in the Pacific Northwest, hosting submarines and the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier), the wealthy Bainbridge Island ferry-commuter community, and the smaller cities of Bremerton, Silverdale, Poulsbo (a Norwegian-heritage town), and the county seat Port Orchard.

Note: Kitsap County effective property tax rates run approximately 0.92% — modest by Washington standards. Washington 100% assessment ratio applies. The Naval Base Kitsap drives substantial federal employment (~16,000 personnel) and a strong rental market. Median home values (~$502K) span a wide range — Bainbridge Island's median is closer to $1.1M (one of the wealthiest islands in Washington) while mainland Kitsap is closer to $400K.

Note: For relocation buyers: Kitsap offers **the unique "ferry-commuter" Seattle option** — buyers who can ferry-commute from Bainbridge Island enjoy a slower-paced island lifestyle while maintaining Seattle CBD access (35-min ferry ride). The Bainbridge Island ferry commute is among the most-expensive but most-sought-after suburban commutes in the United States. Mainland Kitsap (Silverdale, Poulsbo, Port Orchard) offers more conventional suburban living with car-and-ferry commutes for those willing to accept the 90+ min total commute time.

Senior/disabled exemption and excess levies for 2026

Washington's homeowner tax relief is concentrated in a single income-tested Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Exemption (covering both seniors AND disabled veterans). Initiative 747's 1% revenue cap creates structural rate stability for ALL property owners regardless of exemption status.

Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Exemption

Washington's exemption combines a partial reduction of regular property taxes with a freeze on assessed value at the time of qualification. Income limits (2026) are tiered:

Income under $30,000: Full exemption from regular levies + AV freeze
Income $30,000-$35,000: 65% reduction in regular levies + AV freeze
Income $35,000-$45,000: 35% reduction in regular levies + AV freeze

Eligibility: must be 61+ OR disabled OR a disabled veteran with 80%+ service-connected disability. Apply with the Kitsap Assessor office. Once qualified, the AV freeze locks in your assessed value as of the qualification year — even if market values rise substantially, your assessed value (and tax base) remains constant. The exemption applies to regular levies only; voter-approved excess levies (typically school M&O) are still owed.

Property Tax Deferral Program (seniors 60+)

Washington offers a Property Tax Deferral Program separate from the senior exemption — eligible seniors 60+ with income under ~$57K can defer property tax payments (with state-paid interest) until the property is sold or transferred. The deferred amount becomes a lien on the property. This is particularly valuable for cash-poor / asset-rich seniors who want to remain in their homes.

Excess Levies (school M&O)

Washington's regular levies are capped at 1% annual revenue growth per district under Initiative 747 (2001). However, voter-approved excess levies — primarily school maintenance and operations levies — are exempt from the 1% cap. Excess levies typically run 2-4 year terms and require 60% voter approval. School excess levies often dominate the combined tax bill (typically 30-50% of the total) — when these levies expire and are renewed (or fail), bills can change significantly. Watch for ballot measures.

Appealing your assessment

Washington's appeal process runs through the County Board of Equalization (BOE). Homeowners file a Petition for Review with the BOE within 60 days of the change of value notice (or by July 1, whichever is later). The BOE holds hearings — homeowners can present comparable sales, recent appraisals, or independent appraiser testimony. BOE decisions can be appealed to the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals within 30 days; from there to Superior Court. Most Washington counties reassess annually under the State Department of Revenue's revaluation cycle.

Cities and towns in Kitsap County

Kitsap County contains 6 incorporated municipalities, ranging from Port Orchard to the smallest village. Search volume for property tax is often city-specific, so here is the complete list — with population from the 2020 US Census, rounded to the nearest 100.

Data: US Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census. Populations rounded. Cities marked as "split" straddle a county border — the portion inside Kitsap County is subject to Kitsap County's tax rolls, while the portion outside is subject to the adjacent county's.

City or town	Type	Population (2020)
Bremerton	city	43,505
Bainbridge Island	city	24,825
Silverdale	unincorporated	21,643
Port Orchard County seat	city	15,587
Poulsbo	city	11,970
Kingston	unincorporated	2,241

About city-level property tax rates: The rate breakdown and calculator on this page reflect the Port Orchard tax district. Other cities in Kitsap County may pay into different school districts, city rates, and special districts — so their combined rates can differ, sometimes substantially. Always verify the specific rates for your address with the Kitsap County Assessor before relying on any estimate.

Frequently asked questions

When are Washington property taxes due?

Washington property taxes are due in two installments: April 30 (first half) and October 31 (second half). Bills under $50 must be paid in full by April 30. Late payments incur 1% per month interest plus a 3% delinquency penalty after May 31 (first half) or December 1 (second half). Most Washington homeowners pay through escrow via their mortgage servicer. The Kitsap Assessor office handles collection.

What is Initiative 747 and how does it limit my taxes?

Initiative 747 (passed by Washington voters in 2001) caps regular levy revenue growth at 1% per year per district. When property values rise (sometimes substantially), the rate decreases automatically so total revenue grows by no more than 1%. The cap excludes new construction (so growing districts can collect more) and voter-approved excess levies (primarily school maintenance and operations levies, which require 60% voter approval). I-747 has produced unusually stable effective rates over time — long-term Washington homeowners typically see modest, predictable bill growth even during housing bubbles. The Washington Supreme Court initially struck down I-747 in 2007, but the legislature re-enacted it in a 2007 special session.

How does Washington's no-state-income-tax structure affect total tax burden?

Washington is one of nine US states with no state income tax (alongside TX, FL, TN, NV, SD, WY, AK, NH). The state-level sales tax is 6.5%, with local add-ons typically bringing combined sales tax to 8.5-10.5% depending on locality. For high-income residents, the no-income-tax structure typically produces meaningful net savings — especially for buyers relocating from California (which has top marginal income tax of 13.3%) or New York (10.9%). For lower-income residents, the high sales tax shifts more burden to consumption-based taxation. Property tax effective rates in Washington (~0.8-1.1%) are moderate by national standards.

How do I apply for the Senior/Disabled Persons Exemption?

The Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Exemption is income-tested with three tiers (2026): under $30K = full exemption from regular levies + AV freeze; $30K-$35K = 65% reduction + freeze; $35K-$45K = 35% reduction + freeze. Eligibility: must be 61+ OR disabled OR a disabled veteran with 80%+ service-connected disability. Apply with the Kitsap Assessor office. Once qualified, the AV freeze locks in your assessed value as of the qualification year. The exemption applies to regular levies only; voter-approved excess levies are still owed. Disabled veterans use this same program — Washington does not have a separate veteran-specific full exemption.

How do I appeal my Washington assessment?

File a Petition for Review with your County Board of Equalization (BOE) within 60 days of the change of value notice (or by July 1, whichever is later). The BOE holds hearings — homeowners can present comparable sales, recent appraisals, or independent appraiser testimony. BOE decisions can be appealed to the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals within 30 days; from there to Superior Court. Most Washington counties reassess annually under the State Department of Revenue's revaluation cycle.

About Kitsap County

Beyond the property tax — a few things you might not know about the place.

Weird fact

Naval Base Kitsap (specifically the Bangor submarine base on the Hood Canal) is **the largest single repository of nuclear weapons in the world** — the Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific (SWFPAC) at Bangor stores approximately 1,300 nuclear warheads (per public estimates from the Federation of American Scientists, 2023), more than the total deployed nuclear weapons of any single foreign country except Russia. The Trident submarines based at Bangor carry approximately 25% of the deployed US strategic nuclear arsenal. The base's nuclear weapons storage is publicly known but the precise locations and quantities are classified.

Hometown hero

Carolyn Crooks (founding figure of the Skokomish Nation)

The Skokomish Nation (Twana people) inhabited the Kitsap Peninsula and Hood Canal region for at least 3,000 years prior to European contact. The Hood Canal estuary was one of the most-productive shellfish, salmon, and forest-resource regions in the Pacific Northwest, and the Skokomish people developed a distinctive culture and language. The Skokomish Indian Tribe maintains its traditional homeland along the Hood Canal and is the primary Indigenous governance entity in the Hood Canal / Kitsap region.

Biggest annual event

Viking Fest (Poulsbo) + Kitsap County Fair & Stampede

Viking Fest (annual, May 17 in Poulsbo, on Norwegian Constitution Day) celebrates Poulsbo's Norwegian heritage with a parade, traditional Norwegian foods, and the iconic "Little Norway" historic downtown — drawing 50,000+ attendees. The Kitsap County Fair & Stampede (annual, August at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds) combines a traditional county fair with the Kitsap County Stampede (a PRCA-sanctioned rodeo, the largest rodeo in western Washington) — drawing 100,000+ attendees over a weekend.

Property Tax in Kitsap County, 2026