Beekeeping: Kent vs Redmond
How do beekeeping rules compare between Kent, WA and Redmond, WA?
Redmond has fewer restrictions than Kent.
Kent, WA
King County
Kent allows residential beekeeping as an accessory use with setbacks and hive-count limits. All apiaries in Washington must be registered with WSDA by April 1 each year under RCW 15.60.
View full Kent rules →Redmond, WA
King County
Redmond allows residential beekeeping under RMC 21.08 with setback and hive density limits. Hives must be at least 25 feet from property lines and registered with WSDA under RCW 15.60.
View full Redmond rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Kent | Redmond |
|---|---|---|
| Hive Limit | About 4 per residential lot | - |
| Setback | 25 feet typical | 25 ft (10 ft with fence) |
| Flyway Barrier | 6 ft at 25 ft if closer | - |
| State Registration | WSDA by April 1 | - |
| Density | - | 4 hives under 10k sqft |
| WSDA Registration | - | Annual, required |
| Code | - | RMC 21.08 / RCW 15.60 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Kent FAQ
Can I keep bees in my Kent backyard?
Yes, as an accessory residential use with 25-foot setbacks, a water source, and annual WSDA registration under RCW 15.60.
Do I need to register my hives in Washington?
Yes. WSDA requires every beekeeper to register hives annually by April 1 under RCW 15.60 and WAC 16-602.
Redmond FAQ
Can I keep bees in Redmond?
Yes. Residential beekeeping is allowed with setback, density, and water-source rules under RMC 21.08. Annual WSDA registration is required.
How close to the property line can a hive be?
25 feet minimum, or 10 feet if a 6-foot solid fence or hedge is between the hive and the property line to force bees to fly above head height.
Compare other topics
See how Kent and Redmond compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool