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Auburn does not impose a maximum number of rental nights per year for short-term rentals. Operators may rent as often as they wish, subject to business license and safety compliance.
Short-term rentals in Auburn must follow the citywide noise ordinance in ACC 8.28, which prohibits disturbing noise especially between 10 PM and 7 AM. Operators should post house rules and respond to complaints.
Auburn STRs must provide adequate off-street parking under ACC 18.52. Guest vehicles cannot block sidewalks, driveways, or create hazards on residential streets.
Auburn allows home occupations in residential zones under ACC 18.60 when they remain clearly incidental to the residential use. A business license and compliance with strict performance standards are required.
Auburn allows home occupations in all residential zones under ACC 18.60. Must be incidental, resident-operated, max one non-resident employee. An Auburn Business License is required.
Auburn prohibits home occupation exterior signage under ACC 18.60. No yard, window, or banner signs for a home business. One nameplate up to 1 sq ft showing the occupants name is the only exception.
Family home daycares are allowed as accessory uses in Auburn residential zones under ACC 18.07 when state-licensed through DCYF per WAC 110-300. Providers must meet fire, safety, and zoning standards.
Auburn limits home business customer visits under ACC 18.60 to traffic levels no greater than a residence: max 4 clients per day with no more than 2 at once. Deliveries limited to standard vehicles.
Auburn follows WA Cottage Food Law RCW 69.22. Home food producers may sell up to $25,000/year of approved low-risk foods direct to consumers after WSDA permit. Auburn Business License is also required.
Auburn has limited wildfire-urban interface exposure on the Lea Hill plateau and west bluffs. Valley floor is low-risk urban. DNR classifies forested hillsides under RCW 76.04 WUI standards.
Auburn follows the 2021 IFC under ACC 15.36. Smoke alarms required in each bedroom, outside sleep areas, every level. CO alarms required in dwellings with fuel appliances per RCW 19.27.530.
Backyard fires in Auburn follow ACC 15.36: under 3 ft wide, 25 ft clearance, clean firewood only, adult supervision. Chimineas and manufactured fire pits allowed when used per maker instructions.
Auburn has no formal defensible space mandate but requires abatement of hazardous vegetation under ACC 8.20. Dead, dry, or fire-prone plant material must be removed on city notice.
All consumer fireworks banned year-round in Auburn under ACC 8.24, including sparklers. Fines up to $1,000 plus confiscation. Only licensed pro displays per RCW 70.77 are allowed.
Auburn permits small recreational fires under ACC 15.36 (2021 IFC). Fires must be under 3 ft wide, 2 ft tall, with 25 ft clearance, clean firewood, and adult supervision. PSCAA burn bans override.
Outdoor burning is heavily restricted in Auburn. Yard waste and land-clearing burns are banned under PSCAA Regulation I. Only small recreational fires are allowed when no burn ban is active.
Residential propane storage in King County follows the Washington-adopted International Fire Code under RCW 19.27, capping non-permitted home cylinders and requiring permits for larger tanks from the Washington State Patrol Fire Marshal or local fire authority.
Auburn does not impose a citywide overnight parking ban, but enforces the 72-hour rule, signed time-limited zones, and no-parking signs at parks, trailheads, and downtown lots after hours.
Auburn driveways must remain paved, accessible, and used for vehicle parking per ACC Title 18 zoning code, which limits front-yard paving and requires approved curb cuts for new driveways.
EV charging in Auburn follows the Washington State Energy Code, which requires EV-ready capacity in new multifamily and commercial parking and protects public charging stalls from non-charging vehicles.
On-street parking in Auburn is governed by ACC Title 10 and RCW 46.55, with a 72-hour limit on continuous parking and strict no-park zones near hydrants, driveways, and intersections.
Vehicles left over 72 hours on Auburn streets, or with expired tabs and flat tires, can be tagged and towed as abandoned under RCW 46.55 and ACC Title 10 enforcement.
Auburn restricts RV, trailer, and boat parking on public streets to 72 hours and sets additional limits on driveway and front-yard storage of recreational vehicles under ACC Title 18 zoning.
Large commercial trucks, semitrailers, and vehicles over a posted weight limit are prohibited from parking on Auburn residential streets for more than a short period under ACC Title 10 and RCW 46.55.
Auburn regulates tree pruning under ACC 18.76 Tree Preservation. Trimming of significant trees over 6 in DBH must follow ANSI A300; topping is discouraged. ROW branches under 14 ft must be trimmed.
Auburn Utilities uses voluntary lawn watering guidelines May-September with odd-even schedules and watering before 10 AM or after 6 PM. Mandatory drought restrictions activate under ACC 13.06.
WA authorizes rainwater harvesting under RCW 90.03.260. Auburn allows rooftop rain barrels for non-potable use with no permit. Systems over 5,000 gal need review. Potable use requires DOH approval.
Auburn regulates overgrown vegetation as a nuisance under ACC 8.12. Grass and weeds over 12 inches on developed lots trigger abatement notice. Native plantings are exempt with approved plan.
Auburn permits artificial turf in residential yards with no specific ban. Commercial and multi-family projects must meet ACC 18.50 screening and ACC 13.48 stormwater standards. HOAs may restrict.
Auburn encourages native plants under ACC 18.50. Natives satisfy critical area mitigation and stormwater plans. Native yards are exempt from the tall grass rule when intentionally designed and maintained.
Auburn owners must control state-listed noxious weeds under RCW 17.10 and King County Weed Board rules. Class A must be eradicated, Class B controlled. ACC 8.12 treats overgrown weeds as nuisance.
Auburn requires a tree removal permit under ACC 18.76 for significant trees 6 in DBH or larger. Hazard trees have an expedited process. Unpermitted removal can trigger fines up to $5,000 per tree.
Washington requires jurisdictions over 25,000 to provide organics collection and bans certain organic waste disposal under RCW 70A.205.545.
Outdoor concerts and festivals must meet ACC 8.28 limits and often need a special event permit. Downtown Auburn and Les Gove Park events follow a written noise plan and curfew.
Auburn does not ban gas leaf blowers. Powered yard equipment runs 7 AM to 10 PM weekdays and 9 AM to 10 PM Sundays under ACC 8.28.010. Commercial landscapers follow the same hours.
Amplified music audible inside a neighbor's home is a public disturbance at any hour under ACC 8.28. Party speakers cannot exceed 55 dBA day or 45 dBA night at the property line.
Industrial sources into residential zones are capped at 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night under WAC 173-60 via ACC 8.28. The Boeing Auburn plant and Valley warehouses must meet these limits.
Auburn applies WAC 173-60 EDNA limits through ACC 8.28. Residential: 55 dBA day, 45 dBA night. Industrial receiving: 60 dBA day, 50 dBA night. Measured at the receiving property line.
Federal law preempts local aircraft noise. Auburn Municipal Airport follows FAA Part 150 and Sea-Tac overflights are under FAA and Port of Seattle. ACC 8.28 exempts aircraft in flight.
Auburn restricts public disturbance noise under ACC 8.28. Yelling and amplified sound are restricted 10 PM to 8 AM. WAC 173-60 limits drop to 45 dBA nighttime in residential zones.
Auburn treats persistent barking as public disturbance noise under ACC 6.02.140. Animal noise plainly audible across property lines continuously or repeatedly is a violation at any hour.
Auburn allows construction 7 AM to 10 PM weekdays and Saturdays, and 9 AM to 10 PM Sundays, under ACC 8.28.010. Outside hours, equipment and hammering are a public disturbance.
Auburn allows 4 fowl on lots of 6,000 sq ft plus 1 per 2,000 sq ft added, capped at 10 under ACC 18.31.220. Coops must sit in the rear yard and 10 feet from property lines.
Washington RCW 77.15.792 prohibits intentional feeding of deer, elk, bears, and cougars. Auburn enforces these through Code Enforcement. Songbird feeders are allowed but cannot attract bears.
Auburn allows large livestock (horses, cattle, goats, sheep) only in RC and R-1 zones under ACC 18.31.220. Most residential zones prohibit them. Mini-goats may be allowed on smaller lots.
Auburn allows honeybee hives as permitted animals under ACC 18.31.220 with rear yard placement. Hives must sit 10 feet from property lines. State apiarist rules under RCW 15.60 apply.
Auburn does not ban any dog breed. Dangerous dog designations are based on individual behavior under RCW 16.08 and ACC 6.02. Owners of declared dangerous dogs face containment and insurance rules.
Auburn follows Washington RCW 16.30 banning private ownership of dangerous wild animals (big cats, bears, non-human primates, venomous reptiles). ACC 6.02 adds local enforcement. Ferrets are legal.
Auburn requires dogs off the owner's property to be on a leash no longer than 8 feet under ACC 6.02.040. The leash must be held by a competent person. Violations are civil infractions.
King County Code Title 11 limits residential households to a small number of dogs and cats; exceeding the cap requires a kennel, cattery, or hobby license issued by Regional Animal Services of King County.
King County Code Title 11 requires every dog and cat over eight weeks old to be licensed annually with Regional Animal Services; microchips are strongly encouraged and used by RASKC to reunite lost pets with owners.
King County does not mandate spay/neuter for owned pets, but KCC 11.04 charges substantially lower annual license fees for altered dogs and cats to encourage sterilization and reduce shelter intake.
King County does not regulate coyotes directly; the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife handles non-domestic wildlife under RCW Title 77, while RASKC and KCSO respond only to immediate public-safety threats from coyotes.
King County prosecutes animal hoarding under Washington's animal-cruelty statutes RCW 16.52, with Regional Animal Services investigating hoarding complaints and KCSO or city police filing first- or second-degree cruelty charges.
King County Code Title 11 requires cats over eight weeks old to be licensed with Regional Animal Services, but unlike dogs, cats are not required to be leashed; chronic nuisance cats can still trigger civil enforcement.
King County does not impose a countywide retail puppy-mill sourcing ban, but RCW 16.52 cruelty laws apply to pet stores; some cities like Seattle restrict retail dog and cat sales to rescue and shelter sources only.
Veterinary clinics in unincorporated King County are permitted in commercial and some mixed-use zones under KCC Title 21A, with overnight boarding subject to additional kennel standards and noise, odor, and waste-control conditions.
RCW 16.60 governs boundary fences and cost-sharing in Washington. ACC 18.31.020 controls height and placement. Spite fences allow civil remedy. A survey before building is strongly recommended.
Retaining walls over 4 feet from footing to top require a building permit and engineering in Auburn under IRC R105.2. Walls near Lea Hill and Lakeland steep slopes face critical area review.
Auburn fences must be structurally sound, maintained, and built within property lines under ACC 18.31.020. Sight triangles cap 42 inches at driveways. Critical areas need extra review.
Auburn restricts electric and barbed-wire fences in residential zones under ACC 18.31.020. Wood, vinyl, chain link, and ornamental iron are allowed. RC agricultural zones may allow barbed wire.
Auburn requires a building permit for fences over 6 feet under IRC R105.2. Fences 6 feet or less need no permit but must meet ACC 18.31.020 zoning. Retaining walls over 4 feet need a permit.
Pools over 24 inches deep need a 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates under the Washington State Building Code and IRC Appendix G as adopted in Auburn. Openings must not pass a 4-inch sphere.
Auburn caps fences at 42 inches in front setback areas under ACC 18.31.020. Interior fences may reach the zone maximum building height. A 6 percent measurement tolerance applies.
Auburn requires a building permit for in-ground and above-ground pools deeper than 24 inches under ACC Title 15 and the IRC. Plans must show barriers, electrical, and plumbing per code.
Auburn requires a barrier at least 48 inches high surrounding any pool deeper than 24 inches, per IRC Appendix G. Self-closing, self-latching gates and non-climbable design are mandatory.
Auburn requires electrical permits for hot tubs and spas, and barriers under IRC Appendix G unless equipped with an ASTM F1346 safety cover. Setbacks and GFCI protection apply.
Auburn pools must comply with federal VGB Act anti-entrapment drain covers, WAC 246-260 for commercial pools, and building code barriers. Private homeowners should also follow safety best practices.
Above-ground pools deeper than 24 inches require Auburn building permits and barrier compliance under IRC Appendix G. Removable or retractable ladders satisfy barrier rules for some designs.
Auburn allows tiny homes on foundations as dwellings or ADUs if they meet WA Building Code IRC Appendix Q. Tiny homes on wheels are RVs and cannot be permanent dwellings except in approved RV parks.
Carports in Auburn follow ACC 15.36 and 18.31. Open carports under 200 sq ft may be permit-exempt but must meet setbacks. Attached carports always require a building permit regardless of size.
Auburn permits ADUs and DADUs under ACC 18.31.120 per WA HB 1337. Up to two ADUs per lot, max 1,000 sq ft, no owner-occupancy rule. Unit lot subdivision for fee-simple sale is allowed.
Auburn follows the 2021 IRC through ACC 15.36. Sheds 200 sq ft or less and 10 ft or less tall do not need a building permit but must meet ACC 18.31 setbacks: 5 ft rear-side, 10-15 ft front. Larger sheds require permits.
Converting a garage to living space in Auburn requires a building permit under ACC 15.36. Independent units become ADUs. Replacement parking not required under WA HB 1337 near transit.
Auburn HOAs typically require architectural review committee approval for exterior changes. Washington RCW 64.90 requires associations to respond to applications within reasonable timeframes.
Washington RCW 64.90 governs HOA assessments for Auburn associations. Boards must follow budget procedures, provide notice, and may levy special assessments with member consent in some cases.
Washington HOA disputes in Auburn often go through internal appeals, mediation, and ultimately King or Pierce County Superior Court. RCW 64.90 encourages alternative dispute resolution.
Auburn HOAs enforce CC&Rs through written notice, hearings, and fines as authorized by governing documents and RCW 64.90. Owners have due process rights including notice and opportunity to be heard.
Washington RCW 64.90 (WUCIOA) governs HOA board procedures for associations formed after July 2018. Boards must hold open meetings, keep records, and follow notice rules.
Auburn City Code does not allow state-licensed recreational marijuana producers, processors, or retailers within city limits. I-502 permits local bans and Auburn maintains one under ACC Title 18.
Washington I-502 does not legalize recreational home cultivation of cannabis. Growing marijuana at home in Auburn remains illegal except for qualified medical patients under RCW 69.51A with strict limits.
State law and King County Code require licensed cannabis retailers, producers, and processors to sit at least 1000 feet from schools, playgrounds, recreation centers, child care, public parks, public transit centers, libraries, and game arcades. Cities may reduce the buffer to 100 feet for some uses.
Initiative 502 legalized adult cannabis retail in Washington but did not authorize home cultivation. King County residents may not grow recreational cannabis at home. Only state-licensed Liquor and Cannabis Board producers can cultivate, and qualifying medical patients have narrow limits.
Washington does not authorize recreational cannabis delivery to consumers. Customers in King County must purchase in person at licensed retailers. Only registered medical patients can use a limited cooperative model, and licensee-to-licensee transport requires LCB-approved transporter licenses.
Auburn residential setbacks are defined in ACC Title 18 zoning, with typical single-family requirements of 20 feet in front, 5 feet on the sides, and 20 feet in the rear, plus eave and fence exceptions.
Lot coverage in Auburn residential zones is capped between 35 and 55 percent depending on zone, measured under ACC Title 18 including primary and accessory structures but excluding specified uncovered features.
Auburn single-family height limits are typically 35 feet in R-5 through R-10 zones under ACC Title 18, with higher limits in downtown Auburn (DUC) where mixed-use heights can reach 75 feet or more.
Auburn food trucks are generally limited to commercial and mixed-use zones or private property with owner consent, with additional restrictions in downtown, parks, and residential areas under ACC Title 18.
Food trucks in Auburn need a city business license, a county Public Health mobile food permit, and a Washington State business license before serving customers at permitted sites.
Auburn allows residential garage sales without a permit, limited to a few events per year. Sales must be on private property and temporary signs must follow ACC 18.56 sign code rules.
Auburn regulates property blight including junk, overgrown vegetation, unsecured structures, and nuisance conditions under ACC Title 8 Chapter 8.12 and the adopted International Property Maintenance Code.
Auburn has no citywide ordinance requiring property owners to shovel snow or ice from adjacent sidewalks. Clearing is encouraged for safety but not mandatory in most residential areas.
Auburn vacant-lot owners must keep lots free of weeds, debris, and fire hazards. Grass and weeds over 12 inches typically require mowing, and dumping is prohibited under ACC 8.12 and 8.16.
Auburn requires solid waste containers to be stored out of public view between collection days under ACC 8.08.100 and property maintenance provisions in ACC Title 15. Cans cannot remain at the curb.
Commercial drone operations in Auburn must comply with FAA 14 CFR Part 107 including Remote Pilot certification. Airspace around Auburn Municipal Airport requires LAANC authorization for operation.
Recreational drone use in Auburn is governed by FAA rules (49 USC 44809 and TRUST test) with no local drone-specific ordinance. City parks and airport airspace near Auburn Municipal Airport have restrictions.
Scaffolding at Auburn construction sites follows Washington State Building Code (RCW 19.27) and WISHA safety rules, with permits required for scaffolds over 10 feet and right-of-way encroachments needing city approval.
Auburn property owners must control rats, insects, and other vermin under ACC Chapter 8.12 nuisances and International Property Maintenance Code standards, with complaints handled by city code enforcement.
Auburn elevators are regulated by Washington Department of Labor and Industries under RCW 70.87 and WAC 296-96. Annual inspections, operating permits, and licensed contractor maintenance are required.
Federal EPA RRP Rule requires certified contractors for renovations on pre-1978 homes in Auburn. Sellers and landlords must disclose known lead hazards under Title X and federal disclosure rules.
Childcare centers in King County must meet Washington State Building Code occupancy requirements under RCW 19.27 and obtain a license from the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families per RCW 43.216 and WAC 110-300.
Washington's adopted International Residential Code under RCW 19.27 makes fire sprinklers mandatory in townhouses and multifamily buildings; single-family fire sprinklers are typically required only when triggered by access, water-supply, or local amendments.
King County buildings must meet the Washington State Energy Code under RCW 19.27A, one of the strictest in the nation; the county's Strategic Climate Action Plan also drives green-building incentives toward carbon neutrality by 2050.
Door locks on residential and commercial buildings in King County must comply with the Washington-adopted International Building Code and International Fire Code under RCW 19.27, ensuring single-action egress without keys, tools, or special knowledge.
King County Code Title 21A controls house bulk through floor-area, lot-coverage, and height limits rather than a dedicated mansionization ordinance, with stricter standards in rural and Vashon Island zones to preserve neighborhood character.
Rooftop solar in Auburn requires an electrical permit and usually a building permit under ACC Title 15 and Washington State Building Code, with streamlined review for compliant residential systems.
Washington's RCW 64.38.055 and RCW 64.90 limit how Auburn homeowners associations can restrict rooftop solar, protecting reasonable installations from outright bans while allowing design guidelines.
Auburn prohibits light trespass from one property onto another under ACC Title 18 lighting standards and nuisance provisions, with enforcement through Code Enforcement when complaints are substantiated.
Auburn outdoor lighting standards in ACC Title 18 require shielded fixtures and limit light spill across property lines to protect neighbors and preserve night-sky quality in residential areas.
Auburn does not run a citywide rental registration or landlord licensing program. Owners follow the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act and Auburn business license rules under ACC Title 5.
Rent control is preempted statewide by RCW 35.21.830, so Auburn landlords set market rents; tenant protections come from RCW 59.18 (Residential Landlord-Tenant Act) and HB 1351 notice reforms.
Washington RCW 59.18.650 requires just cause to terminate most residential tenancies. Auburn landlords must identify one of the 16 statutory grounds and use the state-prescribed notice form before filing eviction.
Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act and King County tenant-protection ordinances require landlords to pay relocation assistance when displacing tenants for substantial rehabilitation, demolition, or change of use, with amounts varying by city and tenant income level.
Under RCW 59.18.270, all security and damage deposits collected from King County tenants must be held in a trust account at a Washington financial institution, with the tenant given written notice of the bank's name and address within the lease.
Since 2021, Washington's just-cause statute RCW 59.18.650 prohibits no-fault evictions of month-to-month tenants. Landlords in King County must cite one of sixteen enumerated causes such as nonpayment, lease violation, owner move-in, or substantial rehabilitation.
Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act and Seattle's Renting in Seattle ordinance prohibit landlord harassment of tenants, including utility shutoffs, lockouts, repeated entry without notice, and threats designed to force a tenant to vacate.
RCW 59.18.255 prohibits King County landlords from refusing to rent based on a tenant's lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers, Social Security, veterans benefits, child support, and unemployment compensation.
The King County Housing Authority and Seattle Housing Authority jointly administer Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers across the county. Landlords must accept vouchers under RCW 59.18.255 and follow HUD inspection and rent reasonableness standards.
Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act prohibits landlords from passing through new fees during a tenancy that were not disclosed in the original lease, including utility surcharges, trash fees, and capital improvement assessments under RCW 59.18.140.
Auburn requires mandatory solid waste service for all residential and commercial customers under ACC Chapter 8.08. Waste Management is the city contractor and provides weekly garbage and biweekly recycling pickup.
Auburn provides curbside recycling biweekly through WM under ACC 8.08. Accepted items include paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass bottles, and plastics 1 and 2. Contamination can result in refused collection.
ACC 8.08.100 requires Auburn customers to set out solid waste containers by the scheduled start time on collection day and return them to an out-of-view storage location within a reasonable time after pickup.
Auburn residents dispose of bulky items through WM on-call bulky pickup (fee per item) or by self-hauling to the Algona Transfer Station. Illegal dumping is prohibited under ACC 8.16.030.
Auburn permits seasonal holiday lights and displays on residential property without a permit. Displays must avoid creating a traffic sight hazard or excessive light trespass onto neighbors.
Auburn allows temporary political signs on private property with owner permission under ACC 18.56. Signs cannot block sight distance and must be removed shortly after the election.
Auburn allows temporary garage sale signs on private property during the sale under ACC 18.56. Signs in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, or on street trees are prohibited and can be removed.
Auburn requires a solicitor license under ACC 5.20.220 administered by the Auburn Police Department. Commercial door-to-door sales without a license are prohibited and subject to citation.
Auburn residents can post a No Solicitors sign to opt out of commercial door-to-door visits. Licensed solicitors must respect the sign under ACC 5.20, and violations can result in citation.
Auburn follows the Department of Ecology Western Washington Stormwater Manual through ACC Title 13 surface water code, requiring runoff control for new and redeveloped sites in the Green River watershed.
Auburn requires temporary erosion and sediment control (TESC) plans for clearing and grading per ACC Title 15 and the Ecology stormwater manual, with wet-season rules limiting soil disturbance from October to April.
Grading permits are required in Auburn for fills, cuts, and landscape regrades beyond thresholds in ACC Title 15, with drainage plans reviewed by Public Works under the Ecology Stormwater Manual.
Auburn regulates construction in FEMA-mapped Zone AE floodplains along the Green River and White River under ACC Title 15.68 and the Critical Areas Ordinance, requiring elevation and flood vents.
King County's Strategic Climate Action Plan, updated in 2020, sets a binding countywide goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 with a 50% reduction by 2030 from a 2007 baseline.
King County itself does not ban gas-powered leaf blowers countywide, but several cities including Seattle are phasing out gas blowers, and noise rules in KCC 12.86 apply to all power equipment.
King County and Washington state limit unnecessary diesel idling, particularly near schools, hospitals, and Metro bus bases, to protect air quality in the central Puget Sound airshed.
King County encourages cool roofs and reflective surfaces through the Washington State Energy Code and green building incentives, especially for large commercial reroofs in unincorporated areas and Metro facilities.
King County addresses urban heat islands through tree canopy goals, cool surfaces, and equity-focused investments under the Strategic Climate Action Plan and the 30-year Land Conservation Initiative.
Unincorporated King County's marine shoreline along Puget Sound and Vashon-Maury Island is regulated under the Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58), the King County Shoreline Master Program (K.C.C. Title 21A), and the Critical Areas Ordinance at K.C.C. Chapter 21A.24. Shoreline jurisdiction extends 200 feet inland from the ordinary high water mark. Critical-area buffers along marine shorelines are typically 115 to 165 feet.
Auburn parks close one-half hour after sunset and reopen one-half hour before sunrise under ACC 2.22.220. Entering a closed park is criminal trespass under ACC 9.96.900 and Chapter 9A.52 RCW.
Auburn City Code Chapter 9.10 sets a juvenile curfew prohibiting minors under 18 from being in public places during late-night hours. Violations are civil infractions handled by Auburn Municipal Court.
Bars and nightclubs in unincorporated King County must meet KCC 12.86 commercial-to-residential limits of 57 dBA day and 47 dBA night. WSLCB liquor license conditions often impose outdoor music curfews.
HVAC equipment in unincorporated King County must meet KCC 12.86 limits of 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night at adjacent property lines. Setback, sound blankets, or enclosures are often required for nighttime compliance.
Generators in unincorporated King County must meet KCC 12.86 limits of 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night at residential boundaries. Emergency operation during declared power outages is exempt under WAC 173-60-050.
In unincorporated King County, sidewalks are limited and primarily located in urban-designated areas. Under KCC 14.30, abutting property owners share responsibility for sidewalk maintenance and may be required to repair damaged sidewalks adjoining their property in cooperation with the Road Services Division.
Sidewalks and public rights of way in unincorporated King County must be kept clear under KCC Title 14. Obstructions like parked vehicles, overgrown vegetation, merchandise, construction materials, or debris are prohibited without a permit from the Road Services Division.
Unincorporated King County does not enforce a sit-lie ordinance, but Seattle's SMC 15.48.040 prohibits sitting or lying on downtown sidewalks between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., and Bellevue and Kent have similar narrow daytime restrictions in commercial cores.
The King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA), formed jointly by Seattle and King County in 2019, coordinates encampment outreach, sanitation, and resolution. Cleanups follow protocols requiring advance notice, belongings storage, and shelter offers.
King County and Seattle authorize transitional bridge housing including tiny-house villages, enhanced shelters, and safe parking, operated under contract by KCRHA, the Low Income Housing Institute, Mary's Place, and DESC, with streamlined permitting.
Public Health Seattle and King County posts color-coded inspection placards at restaurants countywide. Cards rate facilities Excellent, Good, OK, or Needs to Improve based on red and blue critical violation points scored over four prior inspections.
King County Board of Health Code Title 8 requires property owners to keep premises free of rat harborage and to use rodent-proof construction for refuse storage. Public Health investigates complaints in unincorporated areas and contracts with cities.
Anyone working with unpackaged food, food equipment, or utensils in King County must hold a valid Washington Food Worker Card. The card is obtained by passing an online training and exam through Public Health Seattle and King County.
Washington landlord-tenant law and PHSKC guidance require rental property owners to investigate and treat reported bed bug infestations. Tenants must cooperate with inspections, prepare units, and avoid moving infested furniture between dwellings.
King County operates needle exchange and sharps drop sites under PHSKC. Residents may not place used syringes in curbside trash or recycling. Free puncture-resistant containers and disposal kiosks are available at health clinics and transfer stations.
Washington's statewide plastic carryout bag ban under RCW 70A.530 took effect in 2021 and applies countywide. Stores cannot give thin plastic carryout bags. Reusable bags and recycled-content paper bags meeting state standards are allowed and must be sold for at least eight cents each.
Washington banned expanded polystyrene foam food service containers, coolers, and packing peanuts under RCW 70A.245. Phased restrictions began in 2023 and apply throughout King County. Compostable and recyclable alternatives are required for foodware.
RCW 70A.245 requires food service businesses statewide to provide single-use utensils, straws, condiment packets, and beverage lids only when customers ask or affirmatively select them. The rule applies to dine-in, takeout, delivery, and drive-through orders countywide.
Plastic straws are not banned outright in Washington but, under RCW 70A.245, food service businesses can only provide them when a customer specifically asks. Seattle has a stricter rule prohibiting plastic straws entirely except where required for accessibility.
Washington raised the legal age to purchase tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vapor products to 21 under RCW 70.155.010 (Tobacco 21). King County retailers must check ID for anyone appearing under 30, and Public Health Seattle and King County conducts compliance checks countywide.
Vapor product retailers in King County must hold a Washington vapor product license issued by the Liquor and Cannabis Board under RCW 70.345. Sales to minors are prohibited, online age verification is required, and self-service displays are restricted for non-cigarette tobacco and vapor products.
Washington has not enacted a statewide flavored tobacco ban, leaving flavor restrictions to limited Department of Health authority and federal FDA enforcement on flavored vapor cartridges.
King County water utilities, led by Seattle Public Utilities and the Saving Water Partnership, set voluntary lawn watering schedules and can declare mandatory restrictions during drought conditions.
King County water utilities require customers to fix detectable leaks promptly and offer high-bill leak adjustments when an undetected service-line leak causes an unusual spike in metered water use.
Several King County water utilities offer turf replacement and natural lawn rebates, encouraging homeowners to swap thirsty grass for native, drought-tolerant landscaping that protects salmon streams.
KCC Title 21A grants density bonuses, height increases, and reduced parking when projects in unincorporated King County provide deed-restricted affordable housing or other public benefits.
King County and Sound Transit promote transit-oriented communities along Link light rail corridors, requiring affordable housing, reduced parking, and pedestrian-friendly design near new stations.
The King County Comprehensive Plan, mandated by the Washington Growth Management Act, guides land use through countywide policies and detailed community and subarea plans for unincorporated areas like Vashon-Maury Island and Snoqualmie Valley.
Shared electric scooter and bike programs operate under city permits across King County, including Seattle's e-scooter pilot, Bellevue, Redmond, and Tacoma adjacent corridors, with Sound Transit station rules applied countywide.
King County's Regional Trails System and the 2018 Strategic Plan for Road Services govern bike lanes, separated cycle tracks, and shared-use paths across unincorporated roads, with cities adopting similar Complete Streets policies.
Cities across King County operate heritage tree programs that designate notable specimens for protection, while King County itself protects landmark trees indirectly through the Critical Areas Ordinance and historic preservation designations.
KCC 16.82 requires clearing and grading permits before removing significant trees in unincorporated King County, with stricter limits on critical area buffers, steep slopes, and rural retention areas under the Critical Areas Ordinance.
King County licenses adult entertainment establishments under KCC Title 6, requiring background checks, distance buffers from schools and residential zones, and separate manager and entertainer permits, with strict no-touch and lighting standards.
Massage therapists in King County must hold a Washington state license under RCW 18.108, and establishments need local business licenses; counties enforce zoning, signage, and anti-trafficking inspection rules to combat illicit operations.
Tobacco and vapor retailers in King County must hold a state Liquor and Cannabis Board license, and Public Health Seattle and King County enforces minimum age 21 sales under RCW 70.155 and vapor product rules under RCW 70.345.
Secondhand goods dealers in King County must register with local police, record seller identification, and hold purchased items for a minimum period under RCW 19.60 to allow recovery of stolen property by law enforcement.
Pawnbrokers in King County need a state-recognized local license under RCW 19.60.045, must report transactions to police, observe interest rate and fee caps, and hold pledged items at least 90 days before forfeiture.
King County and its cities respond to loud parties under noise ordinances and state disorderly conduct law (RCW 9A.84.030); a second response within a defined window can trigger costs charged to property owners.
Washington's Smoking in Public Places Act (RCW 70.160) bans indoor smoking and within 25 feet of doors and windows; King County Parks prohibits smoking and vaping in parks and natural areas under departmental rule.
Adults 21 and older may possess cannabis under Washington Initiative 502, but public consumption violates RCW 69.50.445 with civil infractions; King County Parks separately bans use in all parks and natural areas.
Washington prohibits opening or consuming alcohol in public places under RCW 66.44.100, and King County Parks bans alcohol without permit; cities maintain alcohol impact areas and downtown sidewalk drinking restrictions.
King County imposes a 4 percent lodging tax on hotel and short-term rental stays under chapter 67.28 RCW, layered on the 6.5 percent state sales tax and local rates, totaling about 10.5 percent or more.
Several King County cities, including Seattle, require hotels to retain incumbent workers for a transition period when the property changes hands, modeled on Seattle's Hotel Employees Health and Safety Initiative passed in 2016.
SeaTac's Proposition 1 sets a hospitality living wage above state minimum, and Seattle hotels of 100-plus rooms face Initiative 124 wage and benefit standards; both apply within their city limits, layered on state wages.
Washington's statewide minimum wage under RCW 49.46.020 is $16.66 per hour in 2026 with annual inflation adjustments; cities including Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila, and Renton set higher local floors under their own ordinances.
Washington's Paid Family and Medical Leave program (RCW 49.86) provides up to 12 weeks of partially paid leave, and RCW 49.46.200 requires employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave per 40 hours worked.
Washington has no statewide predictable scheduling law and does not preempt local rules, allowing cities like Seattle to enforce secure scheduling ordinances.
King County Ordinance 18467 (2017) limits county cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and Washington's Keep Washington Working Act (RCW 10.93.160) restricts state and local agencies from immigration questioning and detainers.
Washington has no state E-Verify mandate, and RCW 49.60 prohibits employment discrimination based on national origin or immigration-related characteristics statewide.
King County Code Enforcement prioritizes cases based on public health, safety, and environmental impact. Environmental hazards and high-priority cases are investigated within 24 hours. Non-priority cases receive initial contact within approximately 30 days. The investigation process can take weeks to months depending on complexity.
King County Code Enforcement investigates violations of county codes in unincorporated areas. Complaints can be filed by phone at (206) 296-6650, by mail, or through the online complaint form in King County's Online Permitting System. The department handles zoning, building, property maintenance, shoreline, and critical area violations.
The most frequently investigated code violations in unincorporated King County include junk and debris accumulation, construction without permits, clearing or grading without permits, junk vehicles, illegal businesses in residential zones, dangerous buildings, and critical area/shoreline violations.
In unincorporated King County, fences generally do not require a building permit unless they exceed certain height thresholds. The King County zoning code (KCC Title 21A) regulates fence height by zone. Standard residential zones allow 6-foot side/rear fences and 4-foot front yard fences. Critical area buffers may restrict fencing.
Washington is a strict two-party (all-party) consent state under RCW 9.73.030. Recording any private conversation — in person, by phone, or electronically — without the consent of all parties is a gross misdemeanor. Victims can also sue for civil damages including $100/day or $1,000 minimum plus attorney's fees.
Security cameras are legal on private property in King County. Washington is a strict two-party (all-party) consent state for audio recording under RCW 9.73.030. Video-only surveillance of public areas is generally permitted. Cameras with audio recording require consent of all parties being recorded. Cameras must not record areas with a reasonable expectation of privacy.
In unincorporated King County, storage sheds of 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit when accessory to a residential home and used for agricultural or storage purposes. Sheds over 200 square feet require a building permit. All sheds must comply with zoning setbacks.
Fences under 7 feet in height generally do not require a building permit in unincorporated King County. Fences must comply with KCC Title 21A zoning height limits (typically 6 feet rear/side, 4 feet front). Retaining walls over 4 feet require permits. Fences in critical areas may need additional review.
Most renovation work in unincorporated King County requires a building permit. Cosmetic work (painting, flooring, cabinets) is exempt. Structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work all require permits. King County adopts the Washington State Building Code, based on the International Residential Code.
Decks not exceeding 200 square feet and not more than 30 inches above grade are generally exempt from permits in unincorporated King County. Larger or elevated decks require building permits. Concrete patios at grade do not require permits. Decks in flood zones or critical areas have additional requirements.
King County does not have a specific bamboo ordinance. Running bamboo is not on the King County Noxious Weed List. However, bamboo that spreads beyond property lines may be addressed as a nuisance under Washington civil law. The Pacific Northwest climate is favorable for running bamboo, making root barriers advisable.
The King County Noxious Weed Control Board enforces control of noxious weeds classified as Class A, B, and C under RCW 17.10. Class A weeds must be eradicated by all property owners. Class B and C control varies. The county maintains a 'Weeds of Concern' list for non-regulated invasive species. King County also has the authority under KCC 21A.24 to regulate vegetation in critical areas.
Front yard vegetable and edible gardens are permitted in unincorporated King County. The county zoning code (KCC Title 21A) does not prohibit edible landscaping. King County actively promotes food gardening through its Local Food Initiative and partnership with programs like Tilth Alliance. Raised beds and food forests are common throughout the area.
Washington issues concealed pistol licenses under RCW 9.41.070 on a shall-issue basis to qualified applicants, with statewide preemption preventing local concealed carry rules.
Washington RCW 9.41.290 broadly preempts local firearm regulation, reserving authority over firearm laws to the state legislature with very limited exceptions.
Washington allows open carry of firearms by qualified adults without a permit, with limited statutory restrictions and broad preemption barring most local open carry rules.
Washington RCW 9.41.050 governs carrying firearms in vehicles statewide, requiring a concealed pistol license to carry a loaded handgun in a motor vehicle.
Washington's Growth Management Act under RCW 36.70A.170 requires counties and cities to designate and protect agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance through zoning.
Washington RCW 7.48.305 protects established agricultural activities from nuisance lawsuits when operations existed before nearby nonagricultural land uses changed the area.