Property Maintenance in Redmond, WA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Redmond or are thinking about moving there, property maintenance are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Redmond has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of property maintenance, and some of them might surprise you.

Garage Sale Rules

Redmond allows residential garage sales without a permit, limited to 2 sales per year and 3 days each under RMC 21.08. Items and signs must be removed within 48 hours. Sales may not obstruct sidewalks.

Key details: Sales per Year: 2 maximum. Duration: 3 consecutive days max. Hours: 8 AM - 8 PM. Cleanup Window: 48 hours. Code: RMC 21.08.

Civil penalty up to $100 under RMC 1.14 for exceeding sale limits. Items left out beyond 48 hours are nuisance debris subject to removal fees.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Redmond gives residents more flexibility on garage sale rules.

Trash Bin Storage

Redmond carts must be stored out of public view except on collection day. Carts may be set out no earlier than 6 PM the day before and retrieved within 24 hours after pickup per RMC Title 9 and RMC 15.06.

Key details: Storage: Out of street view. Earliest Placement: 6 PM day before. Retrieval Deadline: 24 hours after pickup. Multifamily: Screened enclosure required. Code: RMC 15.06 and Title 9.

Carts stored in view or left out beyond 24 hours: warning notice, then civil fine up to $100 per occurrence under RMC 1.14. Repeat violations may escalate.

Vacant Lot Maintenance

Redmond vacant lot owners must keep parcels free of weeds over 12 inches, debris, and illegal dumping per RMC 6.26. The city may abate at owner expense and file a lien if notices are ignored.

Key details: Grass Limit: 12 inches. Mowing Season: April-October. Debris: Prohibited. Abatement Lien: Cost plus 15 percent. Code: RMC 6.26.

Civil penalty up to $500 per day under RMC 1.14. City abatement costs plus 15 percent administrative fee are assessed as a lien against the property.

Property Blight

Redmond RMC 6.26 prohibits public nuisances including junk, inoperable vehicles, weeds over 12 inches, graffiti, and unmaintained structures. Code enforcement issues notices with 10 to 30 day abatement windows.

Key details: Code: RMC Chapter 6.26. Grass Height Limit: 12 inches. Abatement Window: 10-30 days typical. Appeal Window: 14 days. Contact: (425) 556-2900.

Civil penalty up to $500 per day under RMC 1.14 until abated. Repeat violations and dangerous conditions may be charged as misdemeanors with enhanced penalties.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Redmond actively enforces its property blight requirements.

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing

Redmond has no formal snow-clearing ordinance for sidewalks. RMC 12.08 places general sidewalk maintenance on adjacent property owners, and the city encourages voluntary clearing during winter storms.

Key details: Formal Requirement: None (voluntary). Sidewalk Code: RMC 12.08. City Priority: Arterials and emergency routes. Residential Plowing: Limited. Contact: (425) 556-2900.

No civil penalty specifically for failure to clear snow from sidewalks. However, if unsafe conditions cause injury, property owners may face civil liability claims.

The rules around snow & sidewalk clearing in Redmond lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Redmond gives residents more room on property maintenance. 2 of the 5 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

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