Kirkland, WA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Drainage review trigger
- 500 sq ft new/replaced impervious surface
- Land disturbance trigger
- 7,000 sq ft or more
- Design standard
- 2021 King County Surface Water Design Manual
- Enforcing agency
- Public Works Director
- Civil fine
- $100-$500 per day of noncompliance
- Appeal window
- 21 calendar days to hearing examiner
Summary
Kirkland requires a drainage permit before any project adding 500 square feet or more of new impervious surface, disturbing 7,000 square feet of land, or installing a pipe 12 inches or larger. The Public Works Director runs the Surface Water Utility and bans dumping anything but storm water into city storm drains.
(a) Prohibition of Illicit Discharges. No person shall throw, drain, or otherwise discharge, cause or allow others under its control to throw, drain or otherwise discharge into the municipal storm drain system and/or surface and ground waters any materials other than storm water. Illicit discharges are prohibited and constitute a violation of this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 4945, passed July 21, 2026).
Full Breakdown
050 triggers mandatory drainage review whenever a permitted project adds or replaces 500 square feet or more of impervious surface, disturbs 7,000 square feet or more of land, builds or modifies a drainage pipe or ditch 12 inches or larger, touches a frequently flooded or sensitive area, or is a redevelopment adding $100,000 or more of improvements to a high-use site. 060, design and construction must meet the 2021 King County Surface Water Design Manual and the 2021 King County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Manual, and the developer or owner must submit an irrevocable license letting the public works director inspect and, if needed, order repair of drainage facilities.
090 flatly bans illicit discharges into the municipal storm drain system or surface and ground waters, listing prohibited materials including petroleum products, paints, solvents, pesticides, pool backwash, animal wastes, sewage and silt or sediment. Before final permit approval, the city inspects every permanent drainage facility and it must be clean and fully operational; a performance bond cannot substitute for completed facilities. 74 per equivalent service unit (2024 rate), with an 8 percent annual late fee on delinquent accounts.
Violations & Fines
KMC 15.52.140 routes enforcement through Chapter 1.12, which lets the city assess civil fines of $100 per day for days 1-15 of noncompliance, $250 per day for days 16-30, and $500 per day from day 31 onward, capped at $50,000 per violation generally (up to $25,000 plus restoration costs for critical-area drainage violations). A responsible party may appeal a notice and order to the city hearing examiner within 21 calendar days of service under KMC 1.12.047.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers a drainage permit review in Kirkland?
What can't be dumped into Kirkland's storm drains?
What happens if I violate Kirkland's stormwater rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kirkland
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Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle stormwater management.