Kent caps residential building height at 30 feet in SR zones with modest bonuses for steep lots. Downtown, commercial, and industrial zones allow much taller structures.
Under Kent City Code Title 15 the basic height limit in Single-Family Residential zones (SR-4.5, SR-6, SR-8) is 30 feet measured to the midpoint of a sloped roof. Chimneys, antennas, and small rooftop appurtenances may extend a few feet higher. Multi-family zones (MRG, MRM, MRH) step up to 35 to 45 feet, and downtown commercial (DC and DCE) zones support 4-to-6-story buildings with height bonuses for affordable housing and structured parking. Industrial zones on the valley floor (M-1, M-2, M-3) allow 40 to 65 feet for warehouses and distribution facilities. Airport Influence Area height limits from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport FAR Part 77 surface apply in western Kent, potentially capping structures lower than zoning would otherwise allow. Accessory structures (detached garages, sheds, ADUs) are held to 15 to 24 feet depending on size and lot.
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 structure height limits.
See how Kent's structure height limits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.