Kent does not require owner-occupancy on properties with an accessory dwelling unit. The June 2023 update to KCC 15.08.250 removed the prior owner-occupancy mandate, and Washington HB 1337 (RCW 36.70A.683) prohibits Growth Management Act cities from imposing owner-occupancy on ADUs. Owners may rent both the primary dwelling and the ADU to separate tenants.
Prior to the May 2023 ordinance that took effect June 15, 2023, Kent's ADU code required the property owner to reside in either the primary residence or the ADU. That requirement was removed when KCC 15.08.250 was updated to implement Washington HB 1337. RCW 36.70A.683 now prohibits any Growth Management Act city or county from requiring the owner of a lot with an ADU to live in either the primary unit or the ADU. This means a Kent homeowner may build an ADU and rent both the primary residence and the ADU to separate tenants, or move out entirely and lease both units. The change was intended to remove a financing barrier that title insurers and lenders historically flagged, increase rental supply, and treat ADUs as ordinary rental property. Private covenants in homeowner association or condominium declarations may still impose owner-occupancy as a private matter, enforced through civil action in King County Superior Court, not by Kent code enforcement. Short-term rental rules (see adu-rental-restrictions) operate independently of the owner-occupancy question.
There is no owner-occupancy violation under Kent code as of the June 2023 KCC 15.08.250 update. Private HOA enforcement is a civil matter, not a city enforcement issue. If a city official claims an owner-occupancy violation, the property owner can point to the amended KCC 15.08.250 and RCW 36.70A.683, which preempts any such requirement.
Kent, WA
Kent decibel limits follow WAC 173-60 and KCC 8.05 using EDNA zones. Residential receiving limit is 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night. Commercial sources are cappe...
Kent, WA
Kent industrial sources are capped at 70 dBA day and 65 dBA night at another industrial property, but only 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night when received at a res...
Kent, WA
Commercial trucks over 10,000 pounds GVWR generally cannot park on Kent residential streets except for active loading. Warehouse districts and truck routes h...
Kent, WA
Kent follows Washington State Building Code EV-ready requirements for new multifamily and commercial buildings. Public chargers exist at Kent Station and sev...
Kent, WA
Kent driveway aprons require Public Works approval under KCC Title 6. New or widened driveways need a right-of-way construction permit, and vehicles must not...
Kent, WA
Kent has no city requirement to split shared fence costs with a neighbor. Washington common law controls boundary fences. Survey the property line before bui...
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