Environmental Rules in Kent, WA (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Kent, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Kent requires a permit before anyone constructs, installs, modifies or places any storm or surface water drainage structure in the city under KCC 7.05.070, with all systems built to the Kent Surface Water Design Manual and subject to public works inspection.
Kent Storm and Surface Water Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsKent City Code § 7.05.070
A permit is required for all work to construct, install, modify, place, or attempt to construct, install, modify, or place any storm or surface water drainage structure or facility within the city and must be obtained before any work begins. This section shall not be construed to duplicate any other existing city requirements.
Erosion Control
Kent adopts Appendix J of the International Building Code, the grading and erosion-control appendix, and puts the city's public works director in charge of enforcing it instead of the building official. KCC 14.01.030(A) also adopts Appendices C and E, and every storm and surface water system built during construction must meet the Kent Surface Water Design Manual.
Kent Construction Sites Must Control Erosion Under Grading Code
Some RestrictionsKent City Code § 14.01.030(A) (IBC § 101.5)
Sec. 101.5. Building code appendices adopted. Appendices C, E and J to the International Building Code are hereby adopted; however, the public works director shall have the authority to enforce and interpret Appendix J and, accordingly, all references to the "building official" in Appendix J shall be substituted with the words "public works director."
Flood Zones
Kent requires a flood zone development permit (REFZ) before any construction, substantial improvement, or manufactured home placement within a special flood hazard area under KCC Chapter 14.09. New residential structures must have their lowest floor elevated to the flood protection elevation, two feet above the base flood elevation, three feet for critical facilities.
Kent Flood Hazard Area Building Rules
Significant RestrictionsKCC 14.09.130(A)
A. Residential construction. 1. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to the flood protection elevation. 2. Fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor usable solely for parking, access or storage and that are subject to flooding are prohibited, or shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostati...
Boat Dock Permits
Kent's critical areas code bars building a dock, deck, or other structure inside the buffer around any regulated lake, river, stream, or pond unless the shoreline master program or a listed exception applies. KCC 11.06.690(H) requires the work to be mitigated and reviewed through a critical area report.
Kent Restricts Docks in Lake and Stream Buffers
Significant RestrictionsKCC 11.06.690(H)
H. Activities within buffer. Unless an exception applies, no structures or improvements are permitted within the lake, river, stream, or naturally occurring pond buffer area. This includes buildings, decks, and docks. Structures or improvements may be permitted by the adopted shoreline master program (SMP) or under the following circumstances, when properly mitigated: 1. Construction of improve...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Kent requires new construction and substantial improvements in special flood hazard areas to elevate the lowest floor to the flood protection elevation, defined as two feet above base flood elevation, or three feet for critical facilities.
Kent Flood Protection Elevation Rules
Some RestrictionsKent City Code §§ 14.09.020(R), 14.09.130(A)
R. Flood protection elevation means a minimum of two feet above the base flood elevation, except for critical facilities where the minimum is three feet above the base flood elevation. ... 14.09.130 Specific standards. In all special flood hazard areas identified in KCC 14.09.050, the following provisions are required: A. Residential construction. 1. New construction and substantial improvement...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Kent city rules.
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