Unincorporated King County's marine shoreline along Puget Sound and Vashon-Maury Island is regulated under the Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58), the King County Shoreline Master Program (K.C.C. Title 21A), and the Critical Areas Ordinance at K.C.C. Chapter 21A.24. Shoreline jurisdiction extends 200 feet inland from the ordinary high water mark. Critical-area buffers along marine shorelines are typically 115 to 165 feet.
King County's coastal development rules implement the Washington Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58) and the state Shoreline Master Program guidelines (WAC 173-26). Shoreline jurisdiction includes all marine waters of Puget Sound and the upland area within 200 feet of the ordinary high water mark, plus associated wetlands and floodplains. The county's SMP is codified inside K.C.C. Title 21A and the Critical Areas Ordinance at K.C.C. Chapter 21A.24, which establishes marine-shoreline buffers of approximately 115 to 165 feet from the OHWM depending on the environment designation (Natural, Conservancy, Rural, Residential, High Intensity, Aquatic). Building structures must be set back at least 15 feet from the edge of any required critical-area buffer under K.C.C. 21A.24. Bulkheads, docks, piers, dredging, fill, shoreline armoring, and most new structures within shoreline jurisdiction require a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit, a Shoreline Conditional Use Permit, or a Shoreline Variance, plus state Department of Ecology review. Single-family residences below the cost threshold can sometimes be exempt under WAC 173-27. Confirm with King County DLS - Permitting at 206-296-6600 and the Department of Ecology Northwest Regional Office.
Building a structure, bulkhead, dock, or fill in shoreline jurisdiction without a Shoreline Substantial Development, Conditional Use, or Variance permit is a violation of RCW 90.58 and K.C.C. Title 21A. The county can issue stop-work orders, require restoration, and impose civil penalties up to $1,000 per day under RCW 90.58.210, plus state Department of Ecology enforcement.
Kent, WA
Kent decibel limits follow WAC 173-60 and KCC 8.05 using EDNA zones. Residential receiving limit is 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night. Commercial sources are cappe...
Kent, WA
Kent industrial sources are capped at 70 dBA day and 65 dBA night at another industrial property, but only 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night when received at a res...
Kent, WA
Commercial trucks over 10,000 pounds GVWR generally cannot park on Kent residential streets except for active loading. Warehouse districts and truck routes h...
Kent, WA
Kent follows Washington State Building Code EV-ready requirements for new multifamily and commercial buildings. Public chargers exist at Kent Station and sev...
Kent, WA
Kent driveway aprons require Public Works approval under KCC Title 6. New or widened driveways need a right-of-way construction permit, and vehicles must not...
Kent, WA
Kent has no city requirement to split shared fence costs with a neighbor. Washington common law controls boundary fences. Survey the property line before bui...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how Kent's coastal development rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.