Stock Plan Program
2026 Stock Plan Program Update
The City of Port Townsend and Jefferson County began exploring a joint “stock plan” program in 2022 with a simple but ambitious goal: make it easier and more affordable for residents to build well-designed homes. Rather than starting from scratch with custom plans, the program invited local designers to submit ready-to-use house plans that could become part of a shared public library. The idea was to reduce time, cost, and uncertainty for homeowners, small builders, and community partners working to create more housing options.
The effort quickly became a true community collaboration. A joint City/County Stock Plan Subcommittee led public outreach, including a questionnaire, survey, and lunch-and-learn session, and received 34 locally submitted plans. In December 2023, the County selected eight plans for public use: Artisan Group, Freedom, Care Pod, Tomato, Hilltop, Blackberry, Urban Cottage, and Cabo. This first phase was completed on time and within budget, demonstrating strong local interest in practical housing solutions.
As the program moved from concept to implementation, several practical challenges emerged. Questions about copyright, ownership, contracting, insurance, and long-term administration made it difficult to create a public clearinghouse for the plans. As of August 2026, the finalized but un-engineered plans remain available online with designer contact information, giving residents and builders a starting point while future program options are considered.
Artisan Group
Flexible Dwelling (600 square feet)
Cascadia
GreenPOD
Ross Chapin Architects
Shape Arch Plan
Willow Creek (650 square feet)
Urban Cottage
Urban Cottage Prefab & WOOD Studio (288 square feet)
What is a Stock Plan Program?
A pre-approved stock plan program (often called a permit-ready stock plan program) is a local government initiative offering professionally designed housing blueprints that have already been reviewed and cleared for local zoning and building codes. These programs can speed up building permits and potentially lower design costs for smaller, infill, and middle housing.
How the Program Works
- Plan Selection: Choose a pre-designed layout from a stock plan catalog.
- Licensing: Pay a modest licensing fee directly to the designer for use of the drawings.
- Site Adaptation: Hire a professional to adapt the stock foundation to a specific piece of land.
- Permit Review: Because the architectural and structural design elements are already certified, the building department only reviews site-specific elements.
Visit Washington State Department of Commerce's website for additional information regarding permit-ready plans.
Stock Plan Program Efforts To Date:
August 17, 2026. City Council Agenda Bill: Pre-approved Stock Plan Update.
December 18, 2023. Jefferson County BoCC: Stock Plan Review and Selection.
September 5, 2023. City Council Agenda Bill: Pre-approved Plans Program.
