Kent has no International Dark-Sky ordinance but requires shielded, full-cutoff outdoor lighting on new commercial and multi-family projects under KCC 15 landscape and design standards.
Kent is an urban valley city without a formal dark-sky ordinance, but zoning code KCC 15 limits outdoor lighting to shielded, full-cutoff fixtures for new commercial, industrial, and multi-family development. Parking lot poles must be shielded so the lamp is not visible from adjacent residential property and must not exceed posted height maximums (commonly 25 feet). Single-family homeowners face fewer rules but can still be cited under the nuisance and light-trespass provisions if lighting directly floods a neighbor's bedroom window. Kent Station and downtown streetscape projects have specific decorative lighting standards. Flashing, strobing, or searchlights not part of a permitted event are prohibited. Color changing LED facade lighting is generally allowed on commercial buildings but must not create a traffic hazard on State Route 167 or Meeker Street.
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 dark sky rules.
See how Kent's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
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