Kennewick requires adjacent property owners to trim vegetation that obstructs traffic signs, signals, intersections, or the public right-of-way. The city's sight-obstruction guidance places the duty on the abutting owner, backed by KMC 9.48 nuisance authority and RCW 7.48 public-nuisance law.
Kennewick's Sight Obstructions program states that all intersections must have clear visibility on all corners for pedestrians and vehicles, even when no signs or signals are present. When vegetation blocks a sign, signal, or sight line, the city notifies the adjacent property owner or resident to trim or remove it. The duty is reinforced by KMC 9.48, which treats unsafe vegetation as a public nuisance, and by RCW 7.48 (public nuisance) which lets cities abate vegetative obstructions. Trees that grow into overhead power lines are referred to Benton PUD at 509-585-5399 rather than the city. Tree work in the right-of-way itself requires a bonded contractor and a separate ROW permit under KMC Title 5.
Failure to trim after notice can lead to a Chapter 9.48 nuisance abatement, with civil or criminal infractions and cost recovery against the property. Doing tree work in the right-of-way without a bonded contractor and ROW permit is a separate Title 5 violation.
Kennewick, WA
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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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See how Kennewick's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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