Backyard composting for household use is allowed in Kennewick and is not separately permitted in the municipal code. Larger composting facilities are regulated by WAC 173-350 (state solid waste) and WAC 296-301 (workplace safety). Open burning of yard waste is permanently banned citywide.
Kennewick does not have a stand-alone backyard composting permit. Residents may keep a contained backyard compost pile or bin for household garden use without city approval, provided it does not create a nuisance under KMC 9.48 (odors, vectors, drift). The City of Kennewick treats yard waste like garbage: Waste Management picks up bagged leaves during the first full weeks of November, December, and January. Commercial or large-scale composting facilities are regulated by Washington Department of Ecology under WAC 173-350-220 (composting facilities), with WAC 296-301 covering workplace safety. Open burning of yard debris is permanently banned inside Kennewick city limits and the Benton County urban growth area, enforced by the Benton Clean Air Agency under RCW 70A.15 (formerly RCW 70.94). Drift-smoke nuisances are separately actionable under RCW 7.48.120.
Burning yard waste inside Kennewick is permanently prohibited and is enforced by Benton Clean Air Agency. Compost piles that create odor, vector, or runoff nuisance violate KMC 9.48 with the standard 20-day notice. Commercial composting without a state WAC 173-350 permit triggers Ecology enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Kennewick, WA
Industrial-source noise crossing into Kennewick residential neighborhoods is capped by WAC 173-60-040 at 60 dBA during the day and 50 dBA between 10:00 p.m. ...
Kennewick, WA
Motor vehicle noise on Kennewick streets is governed by the statewide motor vehicle noise performance standards in WAC Chapter 173-62, which set in-use sound...
Kennewick, WA
Tri-Cities Airport (KPSC) is operated by the Port of Pasco and sits across the Columbia River in Franklin County, not Kennewick. Aircraft noise in Kennewick ...
Kennewick, WA
Amplified music in Kennewick is regulated under the Kennewick Municipal Code's public-disturbance noise provisions, which treat amplified sound that is plain...
Kennewick, WA
Kennewick has not codified a gas leaf blower ban, a decibel cap specific to leaf blowers, or restricted hours of operation. Use is governed by the general pu...
Kennewick, WA
Persistent or habitual barking, howling, or other animal noise that disturbs the peace is regulated as a public-disturbance noise nuisance under the Kennewic...
See how Kennewick's composting rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.