Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife rules effective May 17, 2025 prohibit feeding deer, elk, and moose statewide to slow chronic wasting disease. RCW 77.15.790 and RCW 77.15.160 establish infractions for intentional feeding. Kennewick has no separate wildlife-feeding ordinance and defers to state law and WDFW Region 3 enforcement.
WDFW adopted statewide rules effective May 17, 2025 making it illegal to feed deer, elk, and moose anywhere in Washington. The rationale is the prevention of chronic wasting disease (CWD) spread, which has been detected in eastern Washington and is fatal to cervids. RCW 77.15.160(11)(b) makes it an infraction to place, deposit, distribute, or scatter feed including grain, hay, minerals, salt, fruit, or other substances to feed, lure, or attract deer, elk, or moose not lawfully held in captivity. RCW 77.15.790 separately covers negligent feeding of large carnivores (bears, cougars) and prohibits feeding that leads to dangerous wildlife conflicts. The Tri-Cities area, including Kennewick along the Columbia River and the surrounding shrub-steppe, has elevated mule deer activity, making the new rule locally relevant. Bird feeders remain generally lawful, but WDFW guidance instructs residents to remove feeders that incidentally attract deer or bears, particularly during spring and summer. The City of Kennewick has not adopted its own wildlife-feeding ordinance; complaints route to WDFW Region 3 enforcement officers and Kennewick Police for nuisance issues in city parks.
Feeding deer, elk, or moose is an infraction under RCW 77.15.160 with monetary penalties set by the court. Repeat or aggravated negligent feeding of large carnivores can be cited under RCW 77.15.790 with escalating penalties. WDFW Region 3 enforcement officers may order removal of attractants. Park-rule violations within Kennewick city parks are enforced by Kennewick Police and the Parks and Recreation Department.
Kennewick, WA
Industrial-source noise crossing into Kennewick residential neighborhoods is capped by WAC 173-60-040 at 60 dBA during the day and 50 dBA between 10:00 p.m. ...
Kennewick, WA
Motor vehicle noise on Kennewick streets is governed by the statewide motor vehicle noise performance standards in WAC Chapter 173-62, which set in-use sound...
Kennewick, WA
Tri-Cities Airport (KPSC) is operated by the Port of Pasco and sits across the Columbia River in Franklin County, not Kennewick. Aircraft noise in Kennewick ...
Kennewick, WA
Amplified music in Kennewick is regulated under the Kennewick Municipal Code's public-disturbance noise provisions, which treat amplified sound that is plain...
Kennewick, WA
Kennewick has not codified a gas leaf blower ban, a decibel cap specific to leaf blowers, or restricted hours of operation. Use is governed by the general pu...
Kennewick, WA
Persistent or habitual barking, howling, or other animal noise that disturbs the peace is regulated as a public-disturbance noise nuisance under the Kennewic...
See how Kennewick's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.