Kent permits home occupations in residential zones under Title 15 with a home occupation permit. The business must be secondary to the residence and not change the residential character.
Kent City Code Title 15 on zoning allows home occupations in all residential zones subject to standards that preserve the residential character of the neighborhood. The business must be operated by a resident of the dwelling, occupy less than 25 percent of the floor area (typically), and produce no outside evidence such as stock piles, noise, odor, vibration, glare, or hazardous materials. Only family members plus one non-resident employee may work on site in most home occupations. No retail sales of goods manufactured off site are allowed, and client visits are limited in number. A Kent business license is required, and a specific home occupation permit may be required depending on the nature of the business. Commercial vehicles are restricted in size and number. Kent Critical Areas and parking rules still apply. Operators who exceed home-occupation limits must lease commercial space in a properly zoned district.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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 other cities in King County handle zoning restrictions.
See how Kent's zoning restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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