Kennewick's Environmental Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles environmental rules a little differently. In Kennewick, Washington, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Flood Zones

Before any construction or land-disturbing development begins within a Kennewick area of special flood hazard, KMC 18.66.040 requires a Floodprone Area Development Permit from the Planning Department covering structures, manufactured homes, and fill.

Key details: Permit required: Floodprone Area Development Permit. Issuing agency: Kennewick Planning Director. Flood maps used: FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Violation penalty: Misdemeanor under KMC 18.66.030.

Building, filling, or grading in a mapped flood hazard area without a Floodprone Area Development Permit is a misdemeanor under KMC 18.66.030(3), and the City can require the structure vacated or removed.

Flood Elevation Requirements

New homes and substantial improvements in Kennewick's mapped flood hazard areas must have the lowest floor built one foot above the base flood elevation, and critical facilities like schools and fire stations need three feet of freeboard. A Floodprone Area Development Permit from the Planning Director is required before any construction begins.

Key details: Residential freeboard: 1 foot above base flood elevation. Critical facility freeboard: 3 feet above base flood elevation. Permit required: Floodprone Area Development Permit before construction. Floodway rule: No encroachment without engineer certification. Violation: Misdemeanor under KMC 18.54.

Building or developing in a special flood hazard area without meeting these standards is a misdemeanor under § 18.66.030(3), punished according to KMC 18.54. The Planning Director may also revoke a Floodprone Area Development Permit and require the structure be vacated or the work demolished under § 18.66.040(3) and (4)(h), independent of any criminal penalty. Property owners denied a permit or seeking relief from these standards may request a variance from the Hearing Examiner under § 18.66.050, though the code cautions variances are meant to be rare.

Compared to other cities, Kennewick takes a harder line on flood elevation requirements. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Erosion Control

Kennewick requires a Land Use Clearing and Grading Permit for excavation or grading work, but exempts small jobs -- up to 500 cubic yards of cut/fill or 5,000 square feet of disturbance that doesn't block a drainage course.

Key details: Permit required above: 500 cubic yards cut/fill. Small-job exemption: Up to 5,000 sq ft. Issuing department: Kennewick Public Works. Large sites: May need NPDES stormwater permit.

Excavating or grading above the 500-cubic-yard or 5,000-square-foot thresholds without a Land Use Clearing and Grading Permit is a code violation enforced by the Public Works Department under KMC 18.72.

Stormwater Management

Kennewick requires new development to design stormwater facilities under the state's Stormwater Management Manual for Eastern Washington, retaining and disposing of runoff onsite for the 25-year, 24-hour storm event.

Key details: Design storm event: 25-year, 24-hour storm. Governing manual: SMMEW (Ecology, 2004 or later). Retention requirement: Onsite retention and disposal required. Enforcement authority: Public Works Department. Civil penalty range: $100–$5,000 per day.

Public Works enforces stormwater design under KMC 14.28.046, following Chapter 14.29's illicit-discharge process: escalating from warnings to civil penalties of $100 to $5,000 per day of violation.

The Bottom Line

Kennewick's environmental rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Kennewick is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Kennewick's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.