Kennewick, WA Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

KMC 9.44.055(9) sits inside the "Vacant Structures and Land" section of Chapter 9.44, Regulating Unfit and Substandard Structures, but its rodent clause reaches beyond vacant property: "All structures and exterior property shall be kept free from rodent harborage and infestation. Where rodents are found, they shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes which will not be injurious to human health. After pest elimination, proper precautions shall be taken to eliminate rodent harborage and prevent re-infestation." The Director of Planning, or a designated Code Official such as the Building or Fire Official, investigates properties believed to violate this standard under KMC 9.44.030, and can require related weather protection, debris removal and secured openings under the surrounding subsections of 9.44.055.

Enforcement follows Chapter 9.44's standard track: the Director serves a written Complaint under KMC 9.44.070, holds a hearing under KMC 9.44.080, and issues an order specifying the corrective action, the compliance deadline, assessed costs, and the owner's right to appeal to the Hearing Examiner within 30 days under KMC 9.44.090. Costs of any City-performed abatement become a lien against the property with the same rank as municipal taxes under KMC 9.44.110(1), and for repeat violations of the same regulation at the same property within two years, KMC 9.44.110(6) doubles the assessed costs. Knowingly failing to comply with a Director's or Hearing Examiner's abatement order is a gross misdemeanor under KMC 9.44.140(2), separate from the underlying rodent-harborage violation itself.