Kent follows Washington State Building Code EV-ready requirements for new multifamily and commercial buildings. Public chargers exist at Kent Station and several city facilities, with idle fees common.
Washington has one of the strongest EV infrastructure mandates in the U.S. Under WAC 51-50 and the 2021 Washington State Energy Code, new multifamily developments in Kent must provide EV-capable wiring for a set percentage of parking stalls, with a share built out as fully installed Level 2 chargers. Commercial buildings have similar requirements. On residential lots, Level 2 chargers installed in a garage require a simple electrical permit from Washington L and I (the state is the electrical authority for Kent); no zoning approval is needed for private use. Public charging is available at the Kent Station parking garage, Kent Valley Library, and several Metro park-and-rides. Blocking a designated EV stall when not charging (ICE-ing) is enforceable as a parking violation in state-owned and many private lots under RCW 46.08.185.
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
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...
Kent, WA
Kent requires a building permit for retaining walls over 4 feet tall measured from footing to top. Walls supporting surcharges or on geologically hazardous s...
Kent, WA
Kent follows RCW 16.30 which prohibits private possession of dangerous wild animals including big cats, bears, wolves, primates, elephants, and venomous rept...
Kent, WA
Kent requires working smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level. Landlords must install and maintain alarms in rentals under ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how other cities in King County handle ev charging.
See how Kent's ev charging rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.