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

Kirkland requires every property owner and occupant to keep buildings and premises free of rats, mice and other rodents under KMC 21.41.302(e). The duty is framed as a "to the extent reasonably possible" standard, with the building official deciding what's reasonable, and it comes with an explicit duty to keep food, food products, goods and merchandise from coming into contact with rodents. The building official or an appointed representative may enter property to check for rodent activity, though entry requires a warrant or other lawful process unless a public safety emergency justifies acting without one.

If an infestation actually occurs, KMC 21.41.302(e)(1) requires the property owner or occupant to take all necessary measures to eradicate it and prevent it from recurring, including whatever additional eradication steps the building official reasonably requires. That duty does not reach wetlands, unimproved parks, greenbelts or other unimproved property, as long as the owner or occupant hasn't done anything to increase the odds of infestation there.

Kirkland also runs a proactive rat-baiting program tied to land disturbance: KMC 21.41.302(e)(2) requires anyone applying for a demolition or land surface modification permit, or undertaking a land clearing project, to start a rat baiting program on the site at least fifteen days before demolition, clearing or land surface modification begins. The baiting program must be approved by a qualified pest control agent, follow Seattle-King County Health Department guidance, and use pesticides consistent with WAC 162-28-1380. The building official will not issue the permit, and no clearing may start, until the applicant files the baiting program and a sworn declaration of compliance. No demolition, clearing or modification work can begin until significant rat activity has been abated, even if the fifteen days have already passed, unless the building official approves an exception.