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Kennewick, WA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Prohibited areas
ROW, trails, parks, lots
Notice before removal
72-hour posted notice
Property storage
held at least 60 days
Penalty
misdemeanor, up to $1,000/90 days
Immediate removal if
safety risk or blocks traffic

Summary

Camping, sleeping overnight, or storing gear on Kennewick's rights-of-way, parks, trails, or other City property is unlawful; the City must post 72 hours' notice, or none if there's a safety risk, before removing an encampment.

It is unlawful for any person to camp in the following City-owned and/or City-maintained areas, except as otherwise provided by the Kennewick Municipal Code or where specifically designated: (1)Any right-of-way;(2)Any trail, park, or park facility;(3)Any publicly owned parking lot or publicly owned area, improved or unimproved;(4)Any publicly owned storm water drainage facility; or(5)Any other City-owned or City-maintained property.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 19 Update 2).

Full Breakdown

Chapter 9.54 KMC bars camping, pitching tents, parking a camper overnight, or storing camp gear, on any City right-of-way, trail, park, parking lot, stormwater facility, or other City-owned or City-maintained property in Kennewick. Before removing an unauthorized camp, the City must post 72 hours' notice offering shelter alternatives, unless the site poses an immediate safety risk or blocks pedestrian or vehicular traffic, in which case removal can happen immediately. Seized personal property is held at least 60 days so the owner can reclaim it through the Kennewick Police Department.

Violations & Fines

Any Chapter 9.54 violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and/or 90 days confinement; the City can remove camps after 72-hour notice, or immediately if there's a safety or traffic-blocking risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be removed without notice from an encampment in Kennewick?
Yes: if the encampment creates an immediate safety risk or blocks traffic, police or City staff may remove it immediately under KMC 9.54.030(1); otherwise a 72-hour posted notice is required.
What happens to property removed from a camp?
The City stores removed personal property for at least 60 days before disposal and posts notice of where it can be claimed, per KMC 9.54.030(2)(c).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Kennewick

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsSit-Lie RulesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet LimitsSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree TrimmingSome Restrictions

All Kennewick rules

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