What Kennewick Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

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 100 tracked ordinances across 29 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

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: Permit Requirements (moderate), Noise Rules (moderate), Taxes & Fees (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Kennewick for details.

Hotels & Lodging

Transient Occupancy Tax: Kennewick hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfast operations, and short-term rentals collect the Benton County basic 2 percent hotel/motel tax authorized by RCW 67.28.180, layered on top of the standard Washington state and local retail sales tax that applies to lodging under RCW 82.08.0291. The county hotel/motel tax is credited against the state share so the guest pays one combined rate.

Business Licensing & Operations

Secondhand Dealers: Pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers operating in Kennewick are regulated by the Washington Pawnbroker Act, codified at RCW Chapter 19.60. The Act requires daily reporting of all secondhand purchases and pledges to a law-enforcement-accessible system, photo identification of every seller, a holding period before resale (typically 30 days for pawned items), and recordkeeping.

Also covered: Tobacco Retail License (strict). See the full business licensing & operations guide for Kennewick for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Food trucks operating in Kennewick must hold a mobile food unit (MFU) permit from the Benton-Franklin Health District under the Washington Retail Food Code, WAC Chapter 246-215, every food worker must hold a Washington State Food Worker Card from a recognized Washington Department of Health-approved course (WAC 246-217), and the operator must hold a Washington Business License covering Kennewick. Zoning and on-street vending location are controlled by KMC Title 18 and Title 5..

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

Rental Property Rules

Rent Control: Kennewick has no rent-control ordinance and is barred from adopting one. RCW 35.21.830 expressly preempts cities, towns, and counties from regulating the amount of rent charged for the rental of private residential property statewide..

Also covered: Rental Registration (permissive), Security Deposit Rules (moderate), Rental Inspection Programs (permissive). See the full rental property rules guide for Kennewick for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Kennewick's juvenile curfew is set in KMC Title 10 (Peace, Safety, Morals). Minors under 18 may not loiter in public places during posted curfew hours (typically late evening to early morning) absent statutory exceptions for parental accompaniment, employment, supervised activities, and emergencies.

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.

Public Conduct

Loud Party Ordinance: Loud parties in Kennewick are addressed through two layers: the Kennewick Municipal Code's public-disturbance noise provisions (audibility-based civil infractions enforced by Kennewick Police) and the statewide disorderly conduct misdemeanor in RCW 9A.84.030. Hosts and tenants are typically responsible; landlords are not strictly liable but may face nuisance-property action on repeat patterns.

Also covered: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (moderate). See the full public conduct guide for Kennewick for details.

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: Kennewick regulates political signs through content-neutral rules in KMC Chapter 18.24 (Signs) and Chapter 15.24 (Sign Code) after Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015) struck down content-based sign codes.

Animal Ordinances

Exotic Pets: Washington RCW 16.30 (Dangerous Wild Animals Act, effective July 22, 2007) prohibits ownership, possession, breeding, and import of potentially dangerous wild animals including big cats, bears, wolves, primates, crocodilians, and venomous snakes. Kennewick defers to RCW 16.30 and has no separate local exotic-pet ordinance..

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

Landscaping Rules

Native Plants: Kennewick has no native-plant mandate or No Mow May exemption. The KMC 9.48.010(4) twelve-inch Weed Hazard rule still applies, but irrigated, living natives generally fall outside the rule because the trigger covers dead or unirrigated vegetation..

Also covered: Grass Height Limits (moderate), Tree Trimming (moderate), Water Restrictions (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Kennewick for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: The City of Kennewick does not require a permit for a private yard or garage sale at a residence. Rummage sales (typically at churches or community organizations) require a $5 permit.

Also covered: Frequency Limits (moderate). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Kennewick for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Removal Permits: Kennewick does not have a private-property tree removal permit chapter. Permits and approvals only apply to trees in the public right-of-way (KMC Title 5), trees inside an approved KMC 18.21 landscape plan, and trees in a KMC 18.58 critical area..

Also covered: Heritage & Protected Trees (permissive), Tree Replacement Requirements (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Kennewick for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Residential pool fencing in Kennewick must meet IBC Appendix G and ISPSC Section 305 as adopted into the Washington State Building Code at WAC 51-50, and enforced locally through KMC Chapter 15.44. A 48-inch minimum barrier, self-closing/self-latching gates opening away from the pool, no climbable horizontal members on the outside, and house-wall openings protected by an alarm or self-closing device are all required..

Also covered: Pool Permits (strict), Safety Rules (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Kennewick for details.

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: The City of Kennewick is a regulated small (Phase II) MS4 operator under the Washington State Department of Ecology's Eastern Washington Municipal Stormwater General Permit, issued under RCW 90.48 and 33 USC 1342 (federal Clean Water Act). Local stormwater and illicit-discharge rules are codified in Kennewick Municipal Code Title 14 (KMC Chapter 14.28) and applied to all discharges to the Columbia River, Yakima River, and irrigation district conveyances..

Also covered: Flood Zones (strict). See the full environmental rules guide for Kennewick for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Pool barriers in Kennewick are governed by the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and IBC Appendix G, both adopted by reference in the Washington State Building Code at WAC 51-50, and implemented locally through Kennewick Municipal Code Chapter 15.44 (Swimming Pool Code). A residential pool barrier must be at least 48 inches high, climb-resistant, with self-closing/self-latching gates and openings small enough that a 4-inch sphere cannot pass..

Also covered: Height Limits (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate), Neighbor Fence Rules (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Kennewick for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: Kennewick (Benton County, population approximately 84,000) is a Washington city subject to the state's 2023 ADU preemption statute, House Bill 1337 codified at RCW 36.70A.680 through RCW 36.70A.700. Because Kennewick exceeds the 25,000-population threshold and lies within a fully-planning GMA county (Benton County), it must permit two accessory dwelling units (ADUs) per lot in all areas zoned predominantly for residential use.

Also covered: Shed Rules (moderate), Garage Conversions (moderate), ADU Permits (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for Kennewick for details.

Home Business

Zoning Restrictions: Kennewick regulates home occupations through KMC Title 18 (Zoning) under authority of RCW 35A.63 (Planning and Zoning in Code Cities) and the Growth Management Act. Home occupations are typically permitted as accessory uses in residential districts subject to limits on the floor area devoted to the business, exterior changes to the dwelling, non-resident employees, customer traffic, signage, outdoor storage, and noise.

Also covered: Signage Rules (moderate), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Kennewick for details.

Outdoor Cooking

BBQ & Propane Rules: Washington adopts the International Fire Code as the State Fire Code at WAC 51-54A under RCW 19.27.031, enforced locally by the Kennewick Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division. Fire Code §308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices (including charcoal grills and most propane grills) on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction in buildings other than one- and two-family dwellings (i.e., apartments and multi-family).

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Solar panel installations on Kennewick homes require permits under the Washington State Building Code: a building permit at WAC 51-51 (2021 IRC) for roof-mount structural review and an electrical permit under the state Electrical Code at WAC 296-46B for the photovoltaic system covering NEC Article 690. Net metering for residential customer-generators is governed by RCW 80.60 (the Net Metering of Electricity statute).

Noise Ordinances

Quiet Hours: Kennewick has not codified a single posted clock-hour quiet period. Instead, nighttime noise inside the city is controlled by the Washington Department of Ecology's environmental noise rule, WAC 173-60-040, which reduces the maximum permissible noise level at any Class A (residential) receiving property by 10 dBA between 10:00 p.m.

Also covered: Construction Hours (moderate), Barking Dogs (moderate), Leaf Blower Rules (permissive). See the full noise ordinances guide for Kennewick for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Door-to-door commercial solicitors in Kennewick are required to register under the Kennewick Municipal Code's business-licensing and peddler/solicitor provisions, accessible through the Code Publishing portal. Noncommercial canvassing by religious, political, and charitable groups receives heightened First Amendment protection under Watchtower Bible & Tract Society v.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: Kennewick Municipal Code Chapter 9.48 declares the outdoor accumulation of junk, debris, broken appliances, scrap material, neglected furnishings, and similar unsightly conditions on private property to be a public nuisance. The chapter is enforced by Kennewick Code Enforcement.

Also covered: Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate), Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (permissive). See the full property maintenance guide for Kennewick for details.

Trash & Recycling

Illegal Dumping: Illegal dumping inside Kennewick is enforceable under the Washington statewide statute RCW 70A.205.195, which tiers penalties by volume: a class 3 civil infraction for less than 1 cubic foot, a misdemeanor for 1 cubic foot to less than 1 cubic yard, and a gross misdemeanor (plus mandatory litter-cleanup restitution) for 1 cubic yard or more. Local enforcement is by Kennewick Police and Code Enforcement; on private property the city pursues remediation under KMC 9.48 nuisance authority and may bill cleanup costs via RCW 35A.21.405..

Also covered: Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Bin Placement Rules (permissive), Bulk Item Disposal (permissive). See the full trash & recycling guide for Kennewick for details.

Fire Regulations

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.

Also covered: Fire Pit Rules (moderate), Brush Clearance (moderate), Outdoor Burning (strict). See the full fire regulations guide for Kennewick for details.

Building Safety

Fire Sprinkler Requirements: Fire sprinkler requirements in Kennewick are set by the Washington State Building Code Council under Chapter 19.27 RCW: the Washington State Building Code (WAC 51-50, adopting the 2021 IBC), Residential Code (WAC 51-51, adopting the 2021 IRC), and Fire Code (WAC 51-54A, adopting the 2021 IFC). Washington amends IRC Section R313 at WAC 51-51-0313: sprinklers in detached one- and two-family dwellings are NOT required, but new townhouses must be sprinklered.

Also covered: Lead Paint (moderate), Pest Control (moderate). See the full building safety guide for Kennewick for details.

Permit Requirements

Renovation Permits: Renovation work in Kennewick requires a building permit from the Kennewick Building Safety Division (509-585-4276) under Kennewick Municipal Code (KMC) Chapter 15.08 (Building Code), which adopts the Washington State Building Code through Chapter 19.27 RCW: the 2021 IBC (WAC 51-50), 2021 IRC (WAC 51-51), 2021 IFC (WAC 51-54A), 2021 IFGC (WAC 51-52), 2021 UPC (WAC 51-56), and the Washington State Energy Code (WAC 51-11R / 51-11C). Minor cosmetic work is exempt.

Parking Rules

RV & Boat Parking: RV, boat, camper, travel trailer and similar recreational vehicle storage in Kennewick residential districts is regulated by KMC 18.12.260 (Trailers, Boats, Camper Tops, Travel Trailers, Recreational Vehicles), which is referenced as an allowed accessory use only in the residential zones (RMH, RS, RL, RM, RH) per Table 18.12.010 A.1. On-street parking of any vehicle - including a recreational vehicle - is capped at 72 hours under Kennewick's parking rules administered by Kennewick Police; state law backs the on-street framework through RCW 46.61 (Rules of the Road) and RCW 46.55 (Towing and Impoundment)..

Also covered: Driveway Rules (moderate), Commercial Vehicle Restrictions (strict), Abandoned Vehicles (strict). See the full parking rules guide for Kennewick for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Building setbacks in Kennewick are set by KMC 18.12.010 A.2 (Table of Residential Site Development Standards) in the Title 18 Zoning Code. Front yard / street setback is 15 feet in the RS, RL, RM, RH, RTP zones (20 feet in RMH); garage setback is 20 feet (15 feet for side-entry); side yard is 5 feet (0 feet in UMU); rear yard is 15 feet (5 feet in UMU).

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

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.