Crematories
Status: Successfully Regulated
In September 2024, the Bainbridge Island City Council passed an ordinance effectively banning crematoriums on Bainbridge Island. Thank you to everyone who spoke at City Council meetings, wrote to City Council members, and supported the regulation of crematoriums on Bainbridge Island.
The information below is a snapshot of the campaign Fix The Code BI lead to regulate crematoria.
Crematories Need To Be Regulated
Before September 20204, the Bainbridge Island City Code lacked regulations for the construction and operation of crematoria, including setbacks from residential areas, environmental protection measures, and necessary safety requirements.
What Should City Council Do?
Before September 2024, Fix The Code BI was created to demand that the city code be amended to:
- Include use-specific standards for crematoria that includes classification as an industrial use.
- Restrict crematoria to industrial zones and exclude them from residential zones.
- Require crematoria to have a 300 foot minimum setback from residential zones and sensitive areas.
Bainbridge Conservation Coalition Letter to City Council
Reveiw of Washington City & County Codes
Process Issue In The Code & How To Fix It
Why Does This Matter?
Plans were being pursued to construct a crematory at Hillcrest Cemetery on Old Mill Road on Bainbridge Island.
This is a residential area. The proposed crematory construction site is within 30 feet of a designated wetland, 200 feet of eight residential properties with occupied homes and one commercial farm
See what other cities, counties and states require
The Proposed Hillcrest Crematorium Is Within:
Feet of a designated wetland
Eight residential properties and one commercial produce farm
Of twenty residential properties and the Cougar Creek Watershed
Blakely Harbor Elementary School
How Should The Code Be Fixed?
- Include use-specific standards for crematoria that includes classification as an industrial use.
- Restrict crematoria to industrial zones and exclude them from residential zones.
- Require a 300 foot minimum setback from residential zones and sensitive areas.
Why doesn’t the Kitsap County Code Apply on Bainbridge Island?
In 1991 the City of Bainbridge Island and an all-island government was established, incorporating all areas of the island into the City of Bainbridge Island. At that time, the City Code came into effect and the Kitsap County Code was no longer valid on the island.
What do other cities, towns & counties in Washington State do?
- 80 cities, towns or counties specifically mention crematoria in respective codes and either prohibit crematoria from residential zones, established setbacks for crematoria from residential zones, or prohibited crematoria from being constructed entirely.
- 7 cities, towns or counties, including Kitsap County, specifically classify crematoria in related codes as an industrial use or restrict crematoria to industrial zones.
- Of the cities, towns and counties that do not specifically address crematoria, 22 specifically prohibit funeral homes and mortuaries from residential zones.
A list of Washington State City & County Codes related to crematories, funeral homes and cemeteries can be found here.
A list of a variety of state codes can be found here.
Results
In September 2024 the city council voted to adopt regulations
Efforts by Fix The Code BI and the community at large were successful in making our voices heard. The City Council voted to amend the city code and effectively ban all crematoria on Bainbridge Island.