How Kent Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide

Kent maintains 123 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Kent falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Rainwater Harvesting

Kent gives commercial building owners a stormwater utility bill credit for installing a rainwater harvesting system. KCC 7.05.150(B) sets a minimum 10 percent rate reduction, with larger credits possible depending on how much rainwater is captured.

Key details: Credit amount: Minimum 10% off monthly stormwater bill. Governing section: KCC 7.05.150(B). Eligible buildings: New or remodeled commercial buildings only. Statutory basis: RCW 35.67.020 and 35.92.020. Administering office: Kent public works and finance directors.

This is a voluntary incentive, not a mandate, so there is no penalty for skipping a rainwater harvesting system. Separately, KCC 7.05.200 makes any violation of Chapter 7.05, including misuse of a credit obtained under false pretenses, enforceable through cost recovery invoices, a class 1 civil infraction under RCW 7.80.120 filed in Kent Municipal Court, civil code enforcement with stop-work orders, and, for negligent or knowing violations, misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor criminal charges.

Kent is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rainwater harvesting. That said, there are still limits.

Tree Trimming

No one may plant, remove, trim, prune, or cut any tree between a Kent street's property line and the curb without a written permit from the parks and recreation director, and willfully injuring a street tree is separately banned.

Key details: Governing section: KCC 6.10.060(B). Permit required for: Planting, removing, trimming, pruning, cutting. Zone covered: Between property line and curb. Issuing official: Parks and recreation director. Maximum penalty: $1,000 fine and/or 1 year jail.

Chapter 6.10's general penalty at KCC 6.10.080 makes any violation, including trimming or pruning a street tree without the director's written permit, a misdemeanor punishable upon conviction by a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Kent actively enforces its tree trimming requirements.

Native Plants

Landscape plans submitted for development in Kent must include a diversity of native, native-adapted and drought-tolerant, low-water-use plant species, and must promote native wildlife habitat where feasible. KCC 15.07.040(C)(5) makes this a design requirement reviewed by planning services alongside irrigation and soil rules in the same chapter.

Key details: Governing section: KCC 15.07.040(C)(5). Applies to: All zoning districts, development landscape plans. Requires: Native, native-adapted, drought-tolerant species diversity. Companion rule: Rain sensors required, KCC 15.07.040(C)(6). Inspection trigger: 6-month establishment period, KCC 15.07.030.

A landscape plan that omits native, native-adapted or drought-tolerant species is deficient under KCC 15.07.040(C)(5) and will not clear planning services' plan review, delaying permit issuance until the plant list is revised. If installed landscaping does not match the approved plan when inspected under KCC 15.07.030, the property owner or project manager can be required to replace or supplement plantings to meet the diversity and native-species standard before the landscaping is accepted as complete.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Kent requires retention of significant trees on undeveloped property before development: KCC 15.08.240(B) mandates that all trees six inches in diameter or greater be kept in place unless a city-approved tree retention plan or the director's alternative provision allows otherwise. Illegally removed or damaged retained trees must be replaced two-for-one under KCC 15.08.240(I).

Key details: Protected size: 6-inch DBH or greater. Applies to: Undeveloped land, new single-family/duplex development. Density minimum: 20 tree density credits per net acre. Illegal removal penalty: 2 replacement trees per 6-inch tree removed. Exempt uses: Multifamily, commercial, institutional, industrial development.

Removing a protected tree from undeveloped property without following KCC 15.08.240 is treated as illegal removal under subsection (I): the violator must replace a six-inch DBH tree with two new trees, and add one more replacement tree for every additional three inches of diameter, up to six replacement trees total. Building without an approved tree retention plan under subsection (E) can also delay or block permit issuance.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Kent actively enforces its tree removal & heritage trees requirements.

Weed Ordinances

Kent caps grass and weeds at six inches on every property except land zoned agricultural: KCC 8.07.050(B)(4) requires owners and occupants to remove grass and weeds once they reach that height, along with dead or hazard-creating vegetation. The rule applies citywide, on vacant and improved lots alike, and enforcement runs through the director of public works.

Key details: Height limit: 6 inches for grass and weeds. Exempt zoning: Agricultural-zoned property. Sidewalk clearance: Trim overhang within 8 feet vertical. Street/alley clearance: Trim overhang within 16.5 feet vertical. Enforcer: Director of public works, KCC 8.07.060.

A violation of the six-inch weed and grass limit is a civil violation under Chapter 1.04 KCC, carrying a monetary penalty and mandatory abatement under KCC 8.07.080(A). The city can also pursue it as a criminal offense under KCC 1.04.030(B) or issue a class 1 civil infraction under RCW 7.80.120 and KCC 1.04.225, and these remedies are available in addition to, or instead of, one another.

Water Restrictions

Kent has no standing lawn-watering schedule. Instead, KCC 7.13.030 lets the city council pass an emergency ordinance limiting irrigation and other water uses during a drought, and KCC 7.13.050 spells out what that ordinance can restrict, including landscape irrigation, once it is in force.

Key details: Trigger: Council emergency ordinance during drought. Ordinance duration: Expires 12 months unless amended. Large water user threshold: 133,690 cubic ft/month (May 15-Aug 31). First violation fine: $50 class 3 civil infraction. Repeat violation fine: $250 class 1 civil infraction.

Under KCC 7.13.060, a first violation of a drought restriction ordinance is a class 3 civil infraction ($50); a second or subsequent violation is a class 1 civil infraction ($250). A third or subsequent violation may instead be charged as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. Kent police, fire officials, code enforcement officers, and the public works director or designee may issue infractions.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Kent gives residents more flexibility on water restrictions.

The Bottom Line

Kent's landscaping 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 Kent is broadly strict or permissive.

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