Kennewick's Fire Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fire regulations a little differently. In Kennewick, Washington, there are 6 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.

Fire Pit Rules

Recreational fires in Kennewick, WA (Benton County, population approximately 84,000) are regulated by the Washington State Fire Code (WAC 51-54A, which adopts the 2021 International Fire Code) as enforced locally under Kennewick Municipal Code (KMC) Chapter 15.30 (Fire Prevention Code), together with the Benton Clean Air Agency (BCAA) outdoor-burning rules under WAC 173-425. BCAA limits a recreational fire inside Kennewick city limits to 3 feet by 3 feet by 2 feet tall, fueled only by dry, seasoned firewood, set back at least 50 feet from any structure, and continuously attended. A recreational fire may not be used to dispose of yard debris.

Key details: Code Authority: KMC 15.30 / WAC 51-54A / IFC 307. Max Recreational Fire Size: 3 ft x 3 ft x 2 ft tall (BCAA). Setback from Structures: 50 ft (BCAA, Kennewick city limits). Allowed Fuel: Dry, seasoned firewood only. Attendance: Required with extinguishment means.

Violation of the BCAA outdoor burning rule (WAC 173-425) is a Class 3 civil infraction enforceable by the Benton Clean Air Agency and the Washington Department of Ecology, with civil penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation under RCW 70A.15.3160. Violations of the Washington State Fire Code (WAC 51-54A) and KMC Chapter 15.30 are enforceable by the Kennewick Fire Marshal under IFC Section 109 and KMC 15.30, with civil and criminal penalties available. Negligently or recklessly starting a fire that escapes and damages property may be charged criminally under RCW 9A.48.040 (Reckless burning in the second degree, a gross misdemeanor) or RCW 9A.48.050 (Reckless burning in the first degree, a felony).

Fireworks

All consumer fireworks are banned within the City of Kennewick. The Washington State Fireworks Law at Chapter 70.77 RCW (the State Fireworks Act) authorizes cities under RCW 70.77.395 to adopt local ordinances more restrictive than the state baseline, and Kennewick has used that authority to prohibit the sale, possession, and discharge of consumer fireworks city-wide. Aerial and explosive fireworks are illegal throughout Washington under RCW 70.77.136 and RCW 70.77.401 regardless of local opt-in.

Key details: State Authority: Ch. 70.77 RCW (State Fireworks Law). Kennewick City Ban: All consumer fireworks prohibited. Aerial/Explosive Fireworks: Illegal statewide (RCW 70.77.136). Local Authority to Ban: RCW 70.77.395. Public Display Permit: State (WAC 212-17) + local (KMC 15.30).

Discharging or possessing consumer fireworks in violation of state law is a gross misdemeanor under RCW 70.77.488, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. Selling fireworks without a state license under RCW 70.77.255 is a gross misdemeanor under RCW 70.77.510. Local Kennewick fireworks-ordinance violations are enforceable as civil infractions and as criminal misdemeanors under KMC Chapter 15.30 and the Kennewick general penalty section, in addition to the state penalties. Negligent or reckless use that causes a fire may also support charges under RCW 9A.48.040 (Reckless burning in the second degree) or RCW 9A.48.050 (Reckless burning in the first degree, a felony), with restitution for any property damage.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Kennewick actively enforces its fireworks requirements.

Brush Clearance

Kennewick regulates dried grasses, dead brush, and unmaintained vegetation through Kennewick Municipal Code (KMC) Chapter 9.48 (Weed Hazards), which declares any grass, weed, or vegetation that has grown and died or is unirrigated and exceeds 12 inches in length to be a public nuisance. KMC 9.44 (Substandard / Unfit Buildings) addresses fire-hazard vegetation on developed lots. Code Enforcement may issue a 20-day notice to abate weeds before pursuing civil or criminal infractions. The Eastern Washington shrub-steppe gives Kennewick moderate seasonal fire risk that drives summer enforcement.

Key details: Maximum Dead/Unwatered Veg: 12 inches (KMC 9.48.010). Compliance Period (Weeds): 20 days from notice. Substandard Code: KMC 9.44 (Unfit Buildings). Remedy: City may cut and lien property. Regional Fire Risk: Moderate (shrub-steppe, summer dry).

Failure to abate a KMC 9.48 Weed Hazard after a 20-day Code Enforcement notice is a civil infraction enforceable under KMC 9.48 and KMC 1.04 (the Kennewick general penalty chapter), with the City authorized to enter, cut, and lien the cost back to the property. Repeat or aggravated violations may be charged as misdemeanors. Substandard-property violations under KMC 9.44 follow the 45-day Compliance Warning Letter process and can escalate to civil and criminal infractions, plus the City may declare the property unfit and abate at the owner's expense. Cost recovery is by lien against the parcel. Fines escalate with each day a violation continues.

Outdoor Burning

Residential yard-debris burning is banned year-round inside Kennewick city limits. The Benton Clean Air Agency (BCAA) administers outdoor-burning rules under the Washington Clean Air Act (Chapter 70A.15 RCW) and WAC 173-425. Inside Kennewick (and the surrounding urban growth area), WAC 173-425-040 prohibits residential burning of leaves, grass, brush, garbage, and similar yard debris. Only recreational fires under IFC Section 307.4, gas barbecues, and approved tumbleweed burns (with a BCAA burn-line call) are allowed.

Key details: Yard-Debris Burning: Banned year-round in Kennewick. State Rule: WAC 173-425 (Outdoor Burning). Local Authority: Benton Clean Air Agency. Allowed: Rec fires, BBQ, tumbleweed (w/ call). Max Civil Penalty: Up to $10,000/day (RCW 70A.15.3160).

Violations of WAC 173-425 (Outdoor Burning) are enforced by the Benton Clean Air Agency under Chapter 70A.15 RCW, with civil penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation under RCW 70A.15.3160. Criminal penalties can also apply under RCW 70A.15.3170 (Knowing violations - gross misdemeanor; subsequent violations - Class C felony). Fire-code violations under WAC 51-54A and KMC Chapter 15.30 are enforceable by the Kennewick Fire Marshal under IFC Section 109. Negligently or recklessly starting an unlawful fire that escapes and damages property may be charged criminally under RCW 9A.48.040 (Reckless burning in the second degree) or RCW 9A.48.050 (Reckless burning in the first degree, a felony).

Compared to other cities, Kennewick takes a harder line on outdoor burning. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Wildfire Zones

Kennewick sits in the Columbia Basin shrub-steppe of Eastern Washington, an environment of moderate wildfire risk. Washington has not adopted IFC Chapter 49 (Wildland-Urban Interface Areas) or California-style Wildfire Hazard Severity Zones statewide, and Kennewick has no city-designated WHSZ map. Wildfire policy comes from the Benton County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP, updated 2018 via WA DNR), Benton County Fire District No. 1 (which serves Kennewick), and DNR's statewide Wildfire Hazard and Risk Mapping under RCW 76.04. The annual Eastern Washington Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) and DNR burn restrictions drive the seasonal rules.

Key details: WHSZ Adopted: No (not in WA or Kennewick). IFC Ch. 49 Adopted: No (not in WA State Fire Code). Regional Risk: Moderate (shrub-steppe grass fires). Planning Document: Benton County CWPP (2018). State Authority: WA DNR under RCW 76.04.

Because there is no adopted WHSZ in Kennewick or in Washington state law, there are no wildfire-zone-specific construction violations or fines. The underlying authorities continue to apply: violations of the BCAA outdoor burning rule (WAC 173-425) carry up to $10,000 per day civil penalty under RCW 70A.15.3160; KMC 9.48 weed-hazard violations are civil infractions enforced by Kennewick Code Enforcement with cost-recovery liens; and DNR-issued burn-ban violations under RCW 76.04 are misdemeanors. Negligent or reckless starting of a wildfire that escapes is criminally charged under RCW 9A.48.040 (Reckless burning second degree) or RCW 9A.48.050 (Reckless burning first degree, a felony), with restitution and DNR cost-recovery for suppression expenses.

Propane Storage

Propane (LP-gas) storage in Kennewick is regulated by the Washington State Fire Code (WAC 51-54A, adopting the 2021 IFC) and the Washington State Building Code's Fuel Gas Code (WAC 51-52, adopting the 2021 IFGC), as enforced locally under Kennewick Municipal Code (KMC) Chapter 15.30 (Fire Prevention Code) and KMC 15.08 (Building Code). IFC Chapter 61 references NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) for tank setbacks, and IFC Section 6109.13 caps residential aggregate LP-gas storage on Group R-3 lots at 500 pounds water capacity (approximately 125 gallons of propane).

Key details: Code Authority: KMC 15.30 / WAC 51-54A / IFC Ch. 61. Referenced Standard: NFPA 58 LP-Gas Code. Residential Aggregate Limit: 500 lb water capacity (R-3). 125-gal Tank Setback: 10 ft building / 10 ft property line. Balcony Cylinder Limit: Single 20-lb cylinder (R-2 multifamily).

Failure to obtain a required IFC operational permit, exceeding the 500-pound aggregate residential limit, or violating NFPA 58 setbacks are IFC violations enforced by the Kennewick Fire Marshal under KMC Chapter 15.30 and IFC Section 109. Civil and criminal penalties under KMC 15.30 and RCW 19.27 (State Building Code Act) are available, and tanks installed without permits may be ordered removed at the owner's expense. Gas-piping violations under WAC 51-52 are enforced through the Washington State Building Code permit process administered by the Kennewick Building Safety Division. Negligently or recklessly causing a fire or explosion through unlawful LP-gas storage can support criminal charges under RCW 9A.48.040 or RCW 9A.48.050 (Reckless burning), and an unlicensed installer may be subject to L&I civil penalties.

The Bottom Line

Kennewick is tougher than many cities when it comes to fire regulations. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Kennewick, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

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.