Fire Regulations in Kirkland, WA

If you live in Kirkland or are thinking about moving there, fire regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Kirkland has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fire regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Smoke Detectors

Kirkland requires working smoke alarms in every bedroom and on every level, plus CO alarms outside sleeping areas, under WA IRC R314-R315 and RCW 19.27.530.

Key details: Location: Every bedroom + each level. CO Alarm: Outside sleeping areas. Code: IRC R314, R315 + RCW 19.27.530. New Build: Hardwired with battery backup. Free Alarms: Kirkland Fire program.

Building code violation subject to permit denial or correction notice; landlords who fail to provide alarms face state and local penalties under RCW 19.27.530.

Fireworks

Kirkland bans the sale, possession, use, and discharge of fireworks citywide. KMC 11.60.020 and 11.60.030 make it unlawful to sell any fireworks in the city or to possess, use, transfer, or discharge them, except under a state license and city permit for an authorized public display or approved group event.

Key details: Citation: KMC §§ 11.60.020, 11.60.030. Sale: Banned citywide, no exceptions. Possession/use: Banned without state and city permit. Display permit fee: $100, filed 14+ days ahead. Parks: Fireworks banned under KMC 11.60.090.

Selling, possessing, using, or discharging fireworks in Kirkland without a state license and city permit is a misdemeanor under KMC 11.60.030, or a gross misdemeanor if the conduct also violates RCW 70.77.488, 70.77.510, or 70.77.515. Discharging or possessing fireworks in any city park or on public land is a separate misdemeanor under KMC 11.60.090. The fire department can revoke a display permit on the spot for noncompliance.

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

Propane Storage

Kirkland limits the total propane (LP-gas) stored at any single installation to an aggregate water capacity of 2,000 gallons under KMC 21.20.610, the city's amendment to International Fire Code Chapter 61. The Kirkland Fire Prevention Bureau administers the limit, and the fire code official can adjust it case by case based on topography, occupancy, container size and available fire protection. LP-gas storage must also meet Kirkland Zoning Code standards.

Key details: Aggregate capacity limit: 2,000 gallons water capacity. Governing rule: IFC 6104.2 as amended by KMC 21.20.610. Enforcing agency: Kirkland Fire Prevention Bureau. Exception authority: Fire code official may alter limit. Max penalty: $1,000 fine or 90 days jail.

Under IFC Section 112.4 as amended by KMC 21.20.030, violating the LP-gas storage limit or any other Fire Code provision is a misdemeanor or civil offense, at the fire code official's discretion, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both. Each day a violation continues after the city serves notice counts as a separate offense, and the city can also pursue civil code enforcement under Chapter 1.12 KMC.

Wildfire Zones

Kirkland applies the 2021 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code to construction within its wildland-urban interface areas under KMC Chapter 21.50. KMC 21.50.020(a) sets the scope: any building, structure or premises in a WUI area must comply, and site plans for WUI construction must show ignition-resistant materials, access-road grade, vegetation and water supply under KMC 21.06.275(1)(G).

Key details: Code adopted: 2021 IWUIC. State amendment: Chapter 51-55 WAC. Administration: KMC Chapter 21.06, not IWUIC Ch. 1. Site plan: Ignition-resistant construction, roof class. Retroactivity: Existing legal uses may continue.

Building or altering a structure in a Kirkland wildland-urban interface area without meeting IWUIC requirements, or without the site-plan detail required by KMC 21.06.275(1)(G), blocks permit issuance and can trigger a stop work order under the Construction Administrative Code, KMC Chapter 21.06. Work performed after a stop work order is issued exposes the responsible party to penalties as prescribed by law, and existing conditions found to be an egregious hazard to life or property can be reached even though the code is not otherwise retroactive.

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

Backyard fires in Kirkland must be under 3 feet wide, 25 feet from structures, clean-wood fueled, and attended until fully extinguished; burn bans suspend all open wood fires.

Key details: Max Size: 3 ft wide, 2 ft tall. Setback: 25 ft from structures. Fuel: Clean wood or charcoal only. Attendance: Adult + water source required. Burn Bans: Suspend all open wood fires.

Civil infraction under adopted IFC 307; PSCAA civil penalties for burning prohibited materials; reckless burning under RCW 76.04 if a wildfire results.

Outdoor Burning

Outdoor burning of yard debris and trash is banned year-round in Kirkland under PSCAA Regulation I and RCW 70.94; only small recreational fires with clean firewood are allowed.

Key details: Status: Year-round ban. Agency: PSCAA Regulation I. State Basis: RCW 70.94. Only Allowed: Recreational fires under 3 ft. Max Penalty: 10,000 per day.

PSCAA civil penalties up to 10,000 dollars per day; Kirkland fire code citations; RCW 70.94 state air quality violation possible for egregious cases.

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

The Bottom Line

Kirkland 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 Kirkland, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

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