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Public Conduct in Kirkland, WA (2026)

5 verified public conduct rules for Kirkland, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Public Urination

Kirkland Municipal Code § 11.20.070 makes it a misdemeanor to intentionally urinate or defecate anywhere in public other than a washroom or toilet, or anywhere the act could be seen by others. The rule sits inside the city's chapter on offenses against public morals alongside indecent exposure.

Kirkland Public Urination Ban

Heavy Restrictions

Kirkland Municipal Code § 11.20.070

A person is guilty of urinating in public if he or she intentionally urinates or defecates in a public place, other than a washroom or toilet room, or at a place and under circumstances where such act could be observed by any member of the public. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor.

Skateboarding Rules

Kirkland bans skateboarding at three specific public sites: Peter Kirk Park, the City Hall grounds, and the Plaza of Champions. Riders caught there face an infraction citation and can have the skateboard seized as evidence under KMC 12.12.030, while negligent skateboarding anywhere in public citywide is a separate violation under KMC 12.12.050.

Kirkland Skateboarding Restrictions

Some Restrictions

Kirkland Municipal Code § 12.12.030

No person shall ride a skateboard within Peter Kirk Park, upon the Kirkland City Hall grounds, or at the Plaza of Champions. A person in violation of this section may be cited for an infraction and the skateboard he or she was riding may be seized as evidence and held until the disposition of the charge.

Loitering Rules

Kirkland makes it a violation to remain in or loiter within any city park or recreation area while intoxicated. KMC 11.80.242 sits among the park misdemeanor provisions, so a person cited for loitering while drunk or high in a park faces criminal, not civil, penalties under the city's general misdemeanor schedule.

Kirkland Bans Loitering in Parks While Intoxicated

Some Restrictions

KMC 11.80.242

It is a violation of this chapter to remain in, or loiter in any city park or recreation area, while in a state of intoxication.

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Kirkland bans smoking and tobacco use of any kind in every city park. KMC 11.80.216 covers cigarettes, herbal cigarettes, marijuana, cigars, pipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and electronic or vaporized smoking devices, with no designated smoking area carved out anywhere in the park system.

Kirkland Smoking Ban in Parks

Heavy Restrictions

Kirkland Municipal Code § 11.80.216

Smoking and tobacco use of any kind, including but not limited to the use of cigarettes, herbal cigarettes, marijuana, cigars, pipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and electronic or vaporized smoking devices, is prohibited in any park.

Public Alcohol Use

Kirkland makes it unlawful to open or possess an open container of liquor in any place open to the public. KMC 11.84A.050 allows one narrow exception: a public area the city has specifically identified and posted as a place where liquor may be consumed. Violating the ban is a civil infraction.

Kirkland Open Container Ban in Public Places

Significant Restrictions

KMC 11.84A.050

It is unlawful for any person to open a container or possess an opened container of intoxicating liquor or marijuana in a way open to the public or a public place other than, in the case of intoxicating liquor, a public place specifically identified and posted as a place where intoxicating liquor may be consumed. Violation of this section shall constitute a civil infraction.

Looking for King County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Kirkland city rules.

Public Conduct in King County