Kent limits building and impervious coverage in residential zones and requires stormwater mitigation beyond certain thresholds under the Surface Water Design Manual.
Kent City Code Title 15 sets maximum lot coverage for principal and accessory buildings by zone. In SR-6 (6 units per acre) the typical building coverage maximum is about 45 percent of the lot, with higher coverage in SR-8 and lower in SR-4.5. Total impervious surface (buildings plus patios, pools, driveways) is separately regulated by Kent's stormwater code and the Department of Ecology's Western Washington Stormwater Manual adopted by Kent Public Works. New or replaced impervious surface above 2,000 sf or 7,000 sf triggers flow-control best management practices (detention, infiltration, permeable pavement) in most Kent watersheds. On small lots in older neighborhoods the coverage cap can be the binding constraint on additions. Landscape open space minimums (often 30 to 40 percent) also apply and favor retention of existing trees and pervious yards.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Kent, WA
Kent decibel limits follow WAC 173-60 and KCC 8.05 using EDNA zones. Residential receiving limit is 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night. Commercial sources are cappe...
Kent, WA
Kent industrial sources are capped at 70 dBA day and 65 dBA night at another industrial property, but only 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night when received at a res...
Kent, WA
Commercial trucks over 10,000 pounds GVWR generally cannot park on Kent residential streets except for active loading. Warehouse districts and truck routes h...
Kent, WA
Kent follows Washington State Building Code EV-ready requirements for new multifamily and commercial buildings. Public chargers exist at Kent Station and sev...
Kent, WA
Kent driveway aprons require Public Works approval under KCC Title 6. New or widened driveways need a right-of-way construction permit, and vehicles must not...
Kent, WA
Kent has no city requirement to split shared fence costs with a neighbor. Washington common law controls boundary fences. Survey the property line before bui...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how other cities in King County handle lot coverage limits.
See how Kent's lot coverage limits rules stack up against other locations.
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