Kennewick, WA Local Ordinances Guide

Kennewick, Washington may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 93 tracked ordinances across 32 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Recreational drones in Kennewick are governed mostly by federal law. The FAA requires registration for drones over 0.55 lb, TRUST test passage, and flight under 49 U.S.C.

Parking Rules

Street Parking Limits: Kennewick's on-street parking code, KMC 11.36.030, bars parking in fire zones, within five feet of a driveway's curb radius, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, within 20 feet of a crosswalk, and against the flow of traffic with the left wheels to the curb. Violations are civil infractions capped at a $250 penalty..

Also covered: Loading Zones (moderate), Driveway Rules (moderate), Overnight Parking (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Kennewick for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Kennewick home occupations can't post any exterior advertising except one "residential use sign," which KMC 18.09.1760 caps at one square foot and requires to be unilluminated, displayed on the side of the residence or inside a window. KMC 18.42.090(1)(f)-(h) also bans window product displays, outdoor commodity displays, and any retail sales on the premises..

Also covered: Home Daycare (moderate), Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (moderate), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Kennewick for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Structure Height Limits: Kennewick caps residential building height by zoning district in the Table of Residential Site Development Standards at KMC 18.12.010(A)(2): 35 feet or 2.5 stories, whichever is less, in the RS, RL and RMH districts, and 45 feet in the RH district. The Planning Director enforces the table through the building permit process, and exceeding it is a Title 18 misdemeanor..

Also covered: Lot Coverage Limits (moderate), Setback Rules (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Kennewick for details.

Public Conduct

Public Marijuana Use: Kennewick bans opening a marijuana package or consuming marijuana, useable marijuana, marijuana-infused products or concentrates in view of the general public, treating it as a class 3 civil infraction..

Also covered: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (moderate), Public Alcohol Use (moderate), Public Urination (moderate). See the full public conduct guide for Kennewick for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass & Shielding: Kennewick requires every outdoor light fixture installed since 2007 to be fully shielded so light does not spill above the horizontal and does not shine past the fixture's own property line, the City's core defense against light trespass onto a neighbor's land under KMC 18.39.030..

Also covered: Dark Sky Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Kennewick for details.

Trash & Recycling

Illegal Dumping: Kennewick declares it a public nuisance to throw, deposit, or dump garbage, waste, refuse, litter, or debris in any street or public place unless the disposal is specifically authorized by law, under KMC 9.48.010(2)(a). The City can issue civil penalties through a notice-and-order process, and three or more violations at one property can be referred for criminal misdemeanor prosecution..

Also covered: Collection Schedule (moderate), Yard Waste Collection (moderate), Dumpster Rules (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Kennewick for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing & Safety Requirements: Pool safety in Kennewick is governed by a layered set of standards: the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (15 USC 8003) for anti-entrapment drain covers on public pools and spas; Washington's water recreation facility rules at WAC 246-260 under RCW 70.90 for public/semi-public pools; NEC Article 680 and WAC 296-46B-680 for electrical bonding and GFCI; and IBC Appendix G / ISPSC via WAC 51-50 for residential barriers and door alarms..

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Kennewick for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Kennewick requires anyone peddling, soliciting orders or acting as an itinerant vendor door-to-door to first obtain a Class II peddler's license under Kennewick Municipal Code § 6.23.040. Religious, charitable and political canvassers are exempt from the license, but charities must still register with the Washington Secretary of State before soliciting contributions in the city..

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Kennewick prohibits the production, processing, and retail sale of marijuana and marijuana-infused products in every zoning district within city limits under KMC 18.12.165, making Kennewick a full opt-out jurisdiction under Washington's Initiative 502. No zone, permit, variance, or conditional use approval can authorize a licensed marijuana producer, processor, or retailer inside city boundaries; the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board cannot issue a Kennewick-address license consistent with the ban..

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules

Obstruction Rules: Kennewick Municipal Code § 5.56.210 bars placing any obstruction in a public street, sidewalk, alley or easement that impedes or inconveniences travel, with the only exception being traffic control devices approved under § 5.56.150. The same section separately bans dumping garbage cans, leaves, grass clippings, prunings or other debris in the public right-of-way and prohibits burning debris on an improved street or sidewalk surface..

Also covered: Encroachment Permits (moderate), Sidewalk Repair (moderate). See the full sidewalk & pedestrian rules guide for Kennewick for details.

Special Events & Permits

Parade Permits: Kennewick requires a Class III permit before any parade, march or demonstration of 25 or more people may use a public street or place, under Kennewick Municipal Code § 6.49.040. Applicants must give the route, date, time, sponsoring group and expected turnout, and permittees are responsible for traffic control and cleanup..

Also covered: Park Event Permits (moderate), Block Party Permits (restrictive), Street Fair Rules (restrictive). See the full special events & permits guide for Kennewick for details.

Animal Ordinances

Exotic Pets: Kennewick Municipal Code § 8.02.026 makes it unlawful to import, acquire, sell, trade, trap or keep any skunk, fox or raccoon as a personal pet within the city, to prevent rabies transmission. The city also adopts Washington's dangerous wild animal statute, RCW ch.

Also covered: Pet Limits (moderate), Dog Leash Laws (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Kennewick for details.

Curfew Laws

Park Curfew: Kennewick's City parks close one-half hour after sunset and reopen at 6 a.m., with a later 10 p.m. curfew at the Lawrence Scott Pickleball Complex; being caught in a park after hours is a misdemeanor..

Hotels & Lodging

Transient Occupancy Tax: Kennewick imposes a 4% special excise tax on hotel, motel, and short-term lodging charges under KMC 3.20.010, collected by the Washington Department of Revenue alongside state sales tax..

Mobility & Curb Rules

Shared E-Scooter Rules: Kennewick regulates motorized foot scooters, gas or electric, under KMC Chapter 11.94. Riders may use roadways, shoulders and alleys, but scooters are banned from any street posted above 25 mph, plus all sidewalks, bicycle lanes and multipurpose trails.

Business Licensing & Operations

Massage Establishments: Kennewick requires a Class II business license to operate a massage or reflexology business under Kennewick Municipal Code § 6.37.040, and separately bars anyone from practicing or advertising as a massage therapist or reflexologist without state licensure or certification. Businesses cannot operate between 10:00 p.m.

Also covered: Towing Companies (moderate), Pawnbrokers (restrictive), Tobacco Retail License (restrictive). See the full business licensing & operations guide for Kennewick for details.

Water Use Rules

Leak Reporting Duty: Kennewick customers must repair leaking private service lines at their own expense once notified, or the Water Department may disconnect service..

Also covered: Recycled Water Rules (moderate). See the full water use rules guide for Kennewick for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Trimming: Kennewick requires seven feet of clear height over any sidewalk or bicycle path in the public right-of-way under KMC 13.12.050: trees, hedges, shrubbery, and other natural growth may not obstruct a walkway or bike path unless the lowest branch or growth sits at seven feet or higher above the surface. The rule sits in the traffic obstructions chapter, not the landscaping code, so code enforcement can act citywide..

Also covered: Weed Ordinances (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Kennewick for details.

Public Health Rules

Rodent Control: Kennewick requires every structure and exterior property, not just vacant buildings, to be kept free of rodent harborage under KMC 9.44.055(9). Rodents found on a property must be exterminated promptly and re-infestation prevented, enforced through the same Director's-complaint and hearing process used for unfit and substandard buildings..

Also covered: Food Handler Certification (moderate). See the full public health rules guide for Kennewick for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: Kennewick orders unfit or substandard buildings demolished or vacated once repair costs cross set thresholds, under the Planning Director's Chapter 9.44 enforcement powers..

Fence Regulations

Fence Permit Requirements: Kennewick's zoning code ties fence construction to the building code. KMC 18.27.040 requires all fences to conform to Title 15, and fences aren't on the city's short permit-exemption list..

Also covered: Retaining Walls (moderate), Height Limits (moderate), Material Restrictions (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Kennewick for details.

Environmental Rules

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..

Also covered: Flood Zones (moderate), Erosion Control (moderate), Stormwater Management (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Kennewick for details.

Noise Ordinances

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound: Kennewick treats amplified musical instruments, sound systems, and band or social-gathering noise as regulated nuisance noise under KMC 9.52.030(2), and any outdoor musical entertainment expecting 500-plus attendees needs a Chapter 6.47 license with a City-approved sound management plan..

Also covered: Decibel Limits (moderate), Vehicle Noise (moderate), Quiet Hours (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Kennewick for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Operating a food truck in Kennewick requires a City business license under KMC 18.12.250(1)(a), plus health district sign-off, insurance, and a site plan before the vehicle can set up on private property or a parking lot. Vehicle-based food businesses also owe a restroom agreement and a discharge plan for used oils and graywater under KMC 18.12.250(5)(f), on top of every general Temporary and Parking Lot Business requirement in subsection (1)..

Also covered: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (moderate), Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Kennewick for details.

Rental Property Rules

Just Cause Eviction: Kennewick has no separate local just-cause ordinance, but Washington's statewide just-cause statute, RCW 59.18.650 (effective May 2021), already applies. A landlord may end a tenancy only for one of the enumerated causes, with the prescribed written notice, and may not arbitrarily refuse to renew..

Also covered: Repairs & Habitability (moderate). See the full rental property rules guide for Kennewick for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Insurance Requirements: RCW 64.37.040, part of the statewide Washington Short-Term Rental Operations Act enacted in 2019, requires every short-term rental operator in the state, including those operating in Kennewick, to maintain primary liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence covering the short-term rental, or to operate exclusively through a booking platform that provides equivalent coverage. The requirement attaches to every transient rental of fewer than 30 nights.

Also covered: Short-Term Rental Permits (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Kennewick for details.

Homelessness & Encampment Rules

Encampment Sanitation: Camping, sleeping overnight, or storing gear on Kennewick's rights-of-way, parks, trails, or other City property is unlawful; the City must post 72 hours' notice, or none if there's a safety risk, before removing an encampment..

Also covered: Sit-Lie Rules (restrictive). See the full homelessness & encampment rules guide for Kennewick for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: Kennewick allows two accessory dwelling units per lot in every residential zone, each capped at 1,100 square feet and 24 feet in height if detached, under KMC 18.12.020: a local rule that already tracks Washington's 2023 HB 1337 statewide floor..

Also covered: Shed & Carport Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Kennewick for details.

Sign Regulations

Window Signs: Kennewick treats window signs as graphic signs, capping coverage at 33 percent of the window or wall area under the Sign Table, while exempting window signs from the building-permit requirement..

Also covered: Holiday Displays (limited). See the full sign regulations guide for Kennewick for details.

Building Safety

Plumbing Permits: Kennewick adopts the Uniform Plumbing Code, as amended by Washington State, to govern plumbing permits inside city limits. Every plumbing job requiring a permit must pay the fee set under UPC Section 103.4, plumbing installed before the code's effective date keeps its lawful status if unchanged and free of hazard, and every basement needs at least one floor drain.

Also covered: Building Permits (limited), Electrical Permits (moderate). See the full building safety guide for Kennewick for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Frequency, Duration & Permits: Kennewick exempts yard and garage sales from the secondhand-dealer license requirement, but nonprofit rummage sales still need a permit under the same municipal code chapter..

What to Do With This Information

This overview covers the big picture, but the details matter. Each ordinance page for Kennewick includes the full text, violation penalties, and frequently asked questions. Use those pages when you need specifics.