Outdoor burning rules in Kennewick, WA — also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance — set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Residential yard-debris burning is banned year-round inside Kennewick city limits. The Benton Clean Air Agency (BCAA) administers outdoor-burning rules under the Washington Clean Air Act (Chapter 70A.15 RCW) and WAC 173-425. Inside Kennewick (and the surrounding urban growth area), WAC 173-425-040 prohibits residential burning of leaves, grass, brush, garbage, and similar yard debris. Only recreational fires under IFC Section 307.4, gas barbecues, and approved tumbleweed burns (with a BCAA burn-line call) are allowed.
Outdoor burning in Kennewick is governed by three layers of authority. (1) State Clean Air Act - Chapter 70A.15 RCW directs the Washington Department of Ecology and the local clean-air authorities to regulate outdoor burning. WAC 173-425 (Outdoor Burning) is the implementing rule. WAC 173-425-040 prohibits all outdoor burning in any 'urban growth area' (UGA) and in cities and counties designated by the Department of Ecology, which includes Kennewick. (2) Benton Clean Air Agency (BCAA) - is the local clean-air authority for Benton County under Chapter 70A.15 RCW. BCAA Regulation 1 enforces WAC 173-425 inside Kennewick, Richland, West Richland, Benton City, Prosser, and all unincorporated UGAs of Benton County. BCAA states unambiguously that residents inside the city limits of Kennewick are never allowed to burn yard debris at their residence. (3) Local Fire Code - Kennewick Municipal Code Chapter 15.30 (Fire Prevention Code) adopts the Washington State Fire Code (WAC 51-54A / 2021 IFC), and IFC Section 307 reinforces the prohibition on open burning except as permitted. Allowed in Kennewick: (a) a recreational fire under IFC 307.4 / BCAA rules, sized 3 ft x 3 ft x 2 ft tall, set 50 ft from structures, fueled by dry seasoned firewood; (b) cooking on a gas, charcoal, or wood-fired barbecue; (c) a woodstove with the proper installation permit; and (d) approved tumbleweed burning where tumbleweeds have blown onto the property, only after a call to the BCAA burn line and only if smoke does not become a nuisance. Prohibited everywhere in Kennewick: burning yard debris (leaves, grass clippings, branches, brush, garden waste); burn barrels; land-clearing fires; construction or demolition debris; treated or painted wood; plastics, tires, rubber, or asbestos; household garbage; commercial waste. Agricultural burning outside city limits is separately regulated under WAC 173-430 (Agricultural Burning), administered jointly by BCAA and the Washington Department of Ecology.
Violations of WAC 173-425 (Outdoor Burning) are enforced by the Benton Clean Air Agency under Chapter 70A.15 RCW, with civil penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation under RCW 70A.15.3160. Criminal penalties can also apply under RCW 70A.15.3170 (Knowing violations - gross misdemeanor; subsequent violations - Class C felony). Fire-code violations under WAC 51-54A and KMC Chapter 15.30 are enforceable by the Kennewick Fire Marshal under IFC Section 109. Negligently or recklessly starting an unlawful fire that escapes and damages property may be charged criminally under RCW 9A.48.040 (Reckless burning in the second degree) or RCW 9A.48.050 (Reckless burning in the first degree, a felony).
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Kennewick, WA
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Kennewick, WA
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Kennewick, WA
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Kennewick, WA
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