Environmental Rules in Yakima, WA

If you live in Yakima or are thinking about moving there, environmental rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Yakima has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of environmental rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Stormwater Management

New development or redevelopment in Yakima that disturbs one acre or more must submit a stormwater site plan and install permanent BMPs meeting the state's Eastern Washington design manual before building.

Key details: Threshold: 1 acre disturbed. Requires: Stormwater site plan. Design standard: Eastern WA Stormwater Manual. Applies to: New development & redevelopment.

Building on a covered site without an approved stormwater site plan or required BMPs violates YMC Chapter 7.83, subjecting the developer to stop-work orders, civil penalties, and cost-recovery for city enforcement action.

Boat Dock Permits

Yakima's Shoreline Master Program caps private dock length at 8 feet from the ordinary high water mark on Aspen Lake and 12 feet on Willow Lake, bans docks on free-flowing streams and rivers, and requires new multi-unit residential development to share a joint-use dock instead of building one per home.

Key details: Aspen Lake dock length cap: 8 feet from OHWM. Willow Lake dock length cap: 12 feet from OHWM. Docks on free-flowing streams/rivers: Prohibited. Multi-unit residential docks: Joint-use dock required when feasible. Administrative appeal deadline: 14 calendar days, with fee.

Yakima Municipal Code § 17.13.150 directs the city to enforce SMP violations, including unpermitted or oversized docks, using Chapter 173-27 WAC Part II, the state Shoreline Management Act enforcement rules, which authorize stop-work orders, civil penalties and restoration requirements. An administrator's dock decision may be appealed to the hearing examiner within 14 calendar days with the applicable appeal fee under § 17.13.120; a final shoreline permit decision may be appealed to the Shoreline Hearings Board within 21 days under RCW 90.58.180.

Flood Elevation Requirements

Yakima requires new and substantially improved residential structures in mapped special flood hazard areas to elevate the lowest floor at least one foot above the base flood elevation.

Key details: Freeboard: 1 foot above BFE. Applies to: new/substantially improved residential structures. Manufactured homes: same 1-foot freeboard. Unnumbered A zones: 2 feet above grade. Max penalty: $500 fine / 90 days.

Building, using, or altering a structure without complying with Part Four is a misdemeanor; conviction carries a fine of up to $500 and/or up to 90 days imprisonment per violation, plus case costs, under YMC § 15.27.405.

Erosion Control

Yakima requires a grading permit for most excavation and fill work under its adopted building code, but exempts small jobs, cuts under three feet, fills under two feet, and other limited-impact grading, from that requirement.

Key details: Exempt excavation depth: Under 3 feet deep. Exempt fill depth: Under 2 feet, flat terrain. Exempt cut slope: Under 6 feet, under 66.7% grade. Fees for non-exempt grading: Set by City Master Fee Schedule. Max penalty: $250 fine, 90 days jail.

Grading without a required permit, or outside an exemption, violates the adopted building code and is punishable under YMC § 11.01.010 by a fine up to $250 and up to 90 days' jail, with each day a separate offense.

Flood Zones

Yakima adopts FEMA's Flood Insurance Study and rate maps for Yakima County by reference, requiring a city-approved flood hazard permit and elevation-above-base-flood construction standards for any development in mapped special flood hazard areas.

Key details: Permit required: City flood hazard permit. Maps adopted: FIRMs dated Oct. 21, 2021. Elevation standard: 1 ft above base flood elevation. Max penalty: $500 fine, 90 days jail.

Building or using land in a special flood hazard area without complying with Part Four is a misdemeanor under YMC § 15.27.405: up to a $500 fine, up to 90 days imprisonment, or both, per violation, plus all case costs, in addition to any other lawful enforcement action.

Compared to other cities, Yakima takes a harder line on flood zones. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Yakima'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 Yakima is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Yakima's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.