Wildfire Zones: Auburn vs Kent
How do wildfire zones rules compare between Auburn, WA and Kent, WA?
Kent has fewer restrictions than Auburn.
Auburn, WA
King County
Auburn has limited wildfire-urban interface exposure on the Lea Hill plateau and west bluffs. Valley floor is low-risk urban. DNR classifies forested hillsides under RCW 76.04 WUI standards.
View full Auburn rules →Kent, WA
King County
Kent is not officially mapped as a high wildfire hazard area, but East Hill slopes, greenbelts, and the forested eastern edge near Soos Creek face moderate wildland-urban interface risk during dry summers.
View full Kent rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Auburn | Kent |
|---|---|---|
| High-Risk Areas | Lea Hill, west bluffs | - |
| Valley Risk | Low urban fire risk | - |
| Code | ACC 15.36 WUI amendments | - |
| State Classification | WA DNR RCW 76.04 | - |
| Free Assessments | VRFA on request | - |
| Hazard mapping | - | WA DNR maps, not CAL FIRE |
| Higher-risk areas | - | East Hill slopes, Soos Creek edge |
| Hardening requirements | - | Not mandated, Firewise encouraged |
| Critical factor | - | East wind plus drought |
| Authority | - | Kent ECD, DNR, PSRFA |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Auburn FAQ
Is Auburn in a wildfire zone?
Most of Auburn on the valley floor is low-risk urban. Homes on the Lea Hill plateau, west hill bluffs, and adjoining forested areas are classified as WUI under DNR standards and should follow defensible space guidelines.
Do I need fire-resistant materials for a new home in Auburn?
Yes, if your parcel is mapped in the WUI zone under ACC 15.36. Requirements include Class A roofing, ember-resistant vents, and enclosed eaves. Contact Auburn Community Development for parcel-specific review.
Kent FAQ
Is Kent in a wildfire hazard zone?
Most of Kent is low risk. Some hillside and greenbelt-adjacent parcels fall into moderate risk per DNR maps. Check the DNR wildfire hazard viewer.
Do I need fire-resistant materials to build in Kent?
Kent follows the Washington State Building Code. Standard IRC requirements apply. WUI Code chapter has not been adopted citywide.
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