Pest and rodent control in Kennewick is regulated through Washington's adoption of the International Property Maintenance principles within the State Building Code framework (Chapter 19.27 RCW), Kennewick Municipal Code Chapter 9.44 (Substandard / Unfit Buildings), KMC Chapter 9.48 (Weed Hazards), and the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act at Chapter 59.18 RCW. RCW 59.18.060 requires landlords to keep dwellings reasonably free of insects, rodents, and other pests. Pesticide application is governed by the Washington Pesticide Application Act (Chapter 17.21 RCW) and Chapter 16-228 WAC.
Kennewick regulates pest and rodent control through a combination of municipal nuisance authority and state landlord-tenant law. (1) Kennewick Municipal Code Chapter 9.44 (Regulation of Unfit / Substandard Structures) lists pest infestation, vermin harborage, and rodent attraction among the conditions that may render a building substandard. KMC 9.44 also lists 'fire hazard, including any building, device, apparatus, equipment, combustible waste or debris, or vegetation which may cause fire or explosion.' KMC Chapter 9.48 (Weed Hazards) addresses the harborage conditions created by dead and overgrown vegetation (12-inch limit) that attract rodents. (2) Chapter 59.18 RCW (Residential Landlord-Tenant Act) - RCW 59.18.060 imposes 14 specific duties on landlords, including: 'keep the premises reasonably free from infestation by insects, rodents, and other pests at the commencement of the tenancy and, in multifamily complexes, at all times.' For single-family rentals, the duty to control pests can shift to the tenant by lease if the unit was delivered free of infestation. In multifamily buildings the landlord must always control pests in common areas and in any infestation affecting more than one unit, including bed bugs, cockroaches, and rodents. (3) Pesticide Application - the Washington Pesticide Application Act at Chapter 17.21 RCW and the Washington Department of Agriculture rules at Chapter 16-228 WAC require commercial pesticide applicators (including structural pest control operators) to be licensed by WSDA. (4) Public health - the Benton-Franklin Health District has authority under Chapter 70.05 RCW for public-health nuisances involving rodents and vermin that threaten public health. Kennewick Code Enforcement (under KMC 9.44 and 9.48) inspects on complaint and issues a 45-day Compliance Warning Letter (20 days for weeds-only cases). Common rodent attractants enforced in Kennewick include exterior garbage stored without rodent-proof lids, dead-vegetation harborage, and openings larger than 1/4 inch in exterior walls and foundations.
KMC 9.44 and 9.48 violations are enforced by Kennewick Code Enforcement: after the 45-day (or 20-day for weeds) compliance window, the City may issue a civil infraction or refer for misdemeanor charges, and may abate the condition at the owner's expense with cost-recovery liens against the property. Failure of a landlord to comply with RCW 59.18.060 pest-control duties allows the tenant to invoke the repair-and-deduct, terminate-the-tenancy, or rent-into-escrow remedies under Chapter 59.18 RCW. Pesticide misuse and unlicensed structural pest-control work violate Chapter 17.21 RCW and Chapter 16-228 WAC and are enforceable by WSDA with civil penalties up to $7,500 per violation under RCW 17.21.315 and possible license suspension or revocation.
Kennewick, WA
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