8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in King County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Recreational fires (campfires, backyard fire pits) are allowed in unincorporated King County with restrictions. Fires must be in a metal or concrete pit, no larger than 3 feet wide, at least 25 feet from structures, and attended at all times. Local fire district permits may be required.
King County Ordinance 16604 banned consumer fireworks in unincorporated areas in 2010; Washington RCW 70.77 lets cities and counties impose stricter rules, and possessing or discharging fireworks outside a permitted display is a misdemeanor.
King County has no mandatory annual brush clearance ordinance like California. In Wildland Urban Interface areas, defensible space up to 100 ft is enforced on new construction through the adopted IWUIC.
Outdoor burning is heavily restricted in King County. PSCAA bans residential yard waste burning year-round in urban growth areas. Rural burning needs a permit Sept 30-June 1 with no active burn ban.
Eastern unincorporated King County (Skykomish, Snoqualmie, foothills) is mapped by WA DNR as moderate to high wildfire hazard. The Wildland Urban Interface code requires ignition-resistant materials and defensible space.
Smoke alarms required in all King County dwellings per WA Building Code (RCW 19.27, IRC R314). New construction needs hardwired interconnected alarms with battery backup; battery-only allowed in existing homes.
RCW 19.27.530
RCW 19.27.530 Carbon monoxide alarms — Requirements — Exemptions — Adoption of rules. (1) By July 1, 2010, the building code council shall adopt rules requiring that all buildings classified as residential occupancies, as defined in the state building code in chapter 51-54 WAC, but excluding owner-occupied single-family residences legally occupied before July 26, 2009, be equipped with carbon m...
Backyard recreational fires in unincorporated King County are allowed in approved fire pits under 3 feet diameter, using dry firewood only. Setback 25 ft from structures. All outdoor fires banned during PSCAA Stage 2.
Residential propane storage in King County follows the Washington-adopted International Fire Code under RCW 19.27, capping non-permitted home cylinders and requiring permits for larger tanks from the Washington State Patrol Fire Marshal or local fire authority.
8 cities in King County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
4 verified rules • Fire Pit Rules, Fireworks
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
See every category we cover for King County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
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