A Resident's Guide to Redmond's Local Ordinances

Redmond, 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 115 tracked ordinances across 26 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Parking Rules

Street Parking Limits: Redmond allows free on-street parking in most residential areas with 72-hour continuous parking limits under RCW 46.55. Downtown Redmond and Overlake have metered and time-limited zones..

Also covered: Overnight Parking (permissive), Abandoned Vehicles (moderate), EV Charging (permissive). See the full parking rules guide for Redmond for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Redmond prohibits exterior commercial signs for home occupations in residential zones under RMC 21.08.090 and RMC Chapter 21.60 Sign Code, preserving residential character..

Also covered: Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate), Home Occupation Permits (moderate), Cottage Food Operations (moderate). See the full home business guide for Redmond for details.

HOA Rules

Assessment & Dues: Redmond HOA assessments follow RCW 64.90 (WUCIOA). Unpaid amounts become a statutory lien that can be foreclosed after notice.

Also covered: Board Procedures (moderate), Dispute Resolution (moderate), Architectural Review (moderate). See the full hoa rules guide for Redmond for details.

Building Safety

Elevator Maintenance: Elevators in Redmond are regulated by Washington L&I under RCW 70.87 and chapter 296-96 WAC, not by the city. All elevators need annual L&I inspection and licensed contractor maintenance..

Also covered: Pest Control (moderate), Lead Paint (strict), Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed (moderate). See the full building safety guide for Redmond for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Redmond pools and spas over 24 inches deep need a 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates opening outward. No gap larger than 4 inches.

Also covered: Pool Permits (strict), Hot Tub Rules (moderate), Above-Ground Pools (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Redmond for details.

Property Maintenance

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..

Also covered: Garage Sale Rules (permissive), Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Redmond for details.

Noise Ordinances

Leaf Blower Rules: Redmond does not ban gas leaf blowers, but restricts their use to daytime hours under RMC 6.32. Residential yard equipment is permitted between 7 AM and 10 PM without exceeding noise limits..

Also covered: Amplified Music & Events (moderate), Industrial Noise (moderate), Outdoor Music (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Redmond for details.

Animal Ordinances

Livestock: Redmond limits horses, goats, sheep, and other livestock to rural residential (R-1) and agricultural zones under RMC 21.08. Minimum lot size and density requirements apply; not allowed in most neighborhoods..

Also covered: Wildlife Feeding (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (moderate), Beekeeping (permissive). See the full animal ordinances guide for Redmond for details.

Fence Regulations

Retaining Walls: Retaining walls over 4 feet tall (measured from footing bottom to wall top) or supporting a surcharge require a building permit and engineered design in Redmond under IBC and RMC 15.06..

Also covered: Neighbor Fence Rules (permissive), Permit Requirements (moderate), Material Restrictions (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Redmond for details.

Fire Regulations

Smoke Detectors: Smoke alarms are required in every sleeping room, outside sleeping areas, and on every floor of Redmond homes per IRC R314 as adopted by RMC 15.04, with CO alarms required under RCW 19.27.530..

Also covered: Brush Clearance (moderate), Outdoor Burning (strict), Wildfire Zones (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Redmond for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Redmond requires a Tree Removal Permit under RMC 21.72 for any significant tree (generally 6 inch DBH), with replacement plantings required and strict protections for trees in critical areas and native growth easements..

Also covered: Rainwater Harvesting (permissive), Native Plants (permissive), Water Restrictions (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Redmond for details.

Accessory Structures

Carport Rules: Carports in Redmond must meet setback and lot coverage rules under RMC 21.08, typically require a building permit for permanent roofed structures, and generally cannot encroach into required front yard setbacks..

Also covered: Garage Conversions (moderate), Tiny Homes (moderate), ADU Rules (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for Redmond for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Registration Rules: Redmond STR hosts register via the Redmond Business Licensing Division, the WA DOR for lodging tax, and comply with RCW 64.37 safety disclosure rules. The city license renews annually..

Also covered: Noise Rules (moderate), Parking Rules (moderate), Occupancy Limits (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Redmond for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Redmond single-family setbacks under RMC Title 21 are typically 20 ft front, 5 ft side, and 15-20 ft rear in R-4 and R-6 zones, with reduced setbacks possible in neighborhood infill areas..

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

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Redmond participates in the NFIP and regulates construction in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas along Bear Creek, Evans Creek, and the Sammamish River. Critical areas code adds 1-2 ft freeboard..

Also covered: Grading & Drainage (moderate), Erosion Control (strict), Stormwater Management (strict). See the full environmental rules guide for Redmond for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Redmond issues streamlined solar permits for rooftop PV systems through Development Services. Permits require electrical and structural review and follow the WA State Energy Code..

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for Redmond for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Redmond food trucks need a WA State business license, King County Public Health mobile-food permit, and Redmond business license and zoning review before operating on private or public property..

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

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: Redmond requires shielded, downward-directed outdoor lighting in commercial and multifamily projects under RMC Title 21 to limit light pollution and preserve nighttime views near parks..

Also covered: Light Trespass (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Redmond for details.

Trash & Recycling

Recycling Requirements: Redmond offers free weekly curbside recycling and food/yard waste collection. Commingled recyclables include paper, cardboard, rigid plastics 1-7, cans, and glass.

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

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: Redmond permits political signs on private property without a permit under RMC 21.60. Residential signs may total 6 sq ft per frontage, must have owner permission, and may not sit in public rights-of-way..

Also covered: Holiday Displays (permissive), Garage Sale Signs (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Redmond for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: Redmond requires no permit for residential garage sales under RMC 21.08. Households may hold up to 2 sales per year, each lasting 3 days.

Cannabis Regulations

Home Cultivation: Recreational home cannabis cultivation is illegal in Redmond and statewide under WA I-502 and RCW 69.50. Registered medical patients may grow up to 6 plants (up to 15 with authorization) per RCW 69.51A..

Also covered: Dispensary Zoning (strict). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Redmond for details.

Rental Property Rules

Just Cause Eviction: Redmond follows Washington RCW 59.18.650, which requires landlords to show one of 16 enumerated just causes to end a residential tenancy. No separate city ordinance exists..

Also covered: Rent Control (permissive), Rental Registration (permissive). See the full rental property rules guide for Redmond for details.

Drone Rules

Commercial Drones: Commercial drone work in Redmond requires an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate under 14 CFR Part 107, with LAANC authorization in controlled airspace. RMC 12.20 bars launch and landing in city parks..

Also covered: Recreational Drones (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for Redmond for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

No-Knock Registry: Redmond RMC 5.20.070 gives legal weight to No Soliciting signs posted at residences. Commercial solicitors must leave immediately.

Also covered: Solicitor Permits (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Redmond for details.

Curfew Laws

Park Curfew: Redmond parks are generally open dawn to dusk, or until 10 PM at lit facilities under RMC 12.20. After-hours presence is a civil infraction.

Also covered: Juvenile Curfew (permissive). See the full curfew laws guide for Redmond for details.

What to Do With This Information

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