Kennewick, WA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Kennewick does not exempt vacant land from its property-maintenance regime. Two chapters apply. First, KMC 9.48 declares a 'weed hazard' to be a public nuisance, defined as grasses, weeds, or other vegetation which have grown and died, or which are not irrigated, and which exceed 12 inches in length. The rule applies to any parcel inside the city regardless of whether it is built on or occupied, so an undeveloped lot whose grass dries out and exceeds 12 inches becomes citable. Weeds-only violations get the city's accelerated 20-day Compliance Warning Letter cure, not the standard 45-day timeline. Second, KMC 9.44 applies to vacant structures and substandard or unfit buildings. The Building Official is authorized to issue a notice declaring a structure unfit for human habitation (KMC 9.44.040) or substandard (KMC 9.44.050) when conditions include dilapidation, structural defects, defective wiring or plumbing, fire hazards, or generally deteriorated condition. The chapter also reaches vacant structures and vacant land where conditions create a hazard. Remedies under KMC 9.44 include orders to repair, vacate, board up and secure, or demolish. Process is parallel to KMC 9.48: warning, notice and order, hearing before a Hearing Examiner on appeal within 30 days, and abatement at city expense with cost-recovery as a special assessment under RCW 35A.21.405. Owners of vacant land are also obligated to maintain any required perimeter fencing, prevent illegal dumping (see illegal-dumping entry below), and keep sidewalks and pedestrian rights-of-way along the parcel clear.