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Rainwater harvesting is legal in Sammamish and across Washington. Under a 2009 Washington Department of Ecology policy, collecting rooftop rainwater for on-site use does not require a water-right permit. The city actively encourages stormwater reuse and low-impact development. Larger cisterns or systems tied to plumbing may still need a building or plumbing permit.
Sammamish encourages native and drought-tolerant landscaping and requires it in certain contexts. The landscaping code (SDC 21.07.070) calls for drought-tolerant species in bioretention and living-roof landscaping and bars King County noxious-weed-list plants. Tree replacement plantings must be primarily native Washington species. Critical-area restoration also emphasizes native plantings.
Artificial turf is allowed in Sammamish and counts as 'yard area' for landscaping purposes. However, the city's surface water rules (based on the King County Surface Water Design Manual and Sammamish's addendum) classify artificial turf as an impervious, pollution-generating surface for stormwater modeling. Turf without an underdrain is treated as impervious, which can affect drainage review on larger projects.
Sammamish does not prohibit backyard composting, and curbside yard waste/compost collection is available citywide. Curbside garbage, recycling, and yard-waste/compost service is provided by Republic Services, and yard and food waste collected in King County is processed at Cedar Grove. King County offers backyard composting resources. Compost piles must not create a nuisance or rodent harborage.
Sammamish does not publish a specific maximum lawn or grass height in its Municipal Code. The Sammamish Building and Property Maintenance Code (SMC 16.25.200, Exterior property areas) requires all exterior property and premises to be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition. Code violations are declared public nuisances under SMC 23.30.010 and enforced through the city's code compliance process.
In Sammamish, heavy pruning of a significant tree is regulated like removal. The tree standards (SDC 21.03.060) treat pruning that removes more than one-third of a tree's branches as equivalent to removal, requiring a tree removal permit. Tree topping is discouraged by the Urban Forest Management Program. Right-of-way street trees need a Right-of-Way permit.
Sammamish has strong tree-retention rules. Removing a 'significant tree' (coniferous 8 inches DBH or larger, deciduous 12 inches DBH or larger) requires a tree removal permit under SDC 21.03.060. Annual and 10-year removal limits scale with lot size. Removed significant trees must be replaced, and unlawful removal carries a civil penalty of $1,500 per inch of trunk diameter (SMC 23.100.010).
Sammamish does not set a numeric weed-height limit, but its landscaping standards (SDC 21.07.070) prohibit any plant on the King County noxious weed list across required landscape types. Overgrown or hazardous vegetation can be addressed as a public nuisance under SMC 23.30.010. King County's Noxious Weed Control Board independently requires control of regulated noxious weeds countywide.
The City of Sammamish runs no water utility and imposes no mandatory citywide watering restrictions. Water comes from special-purpose districts — chiefly Sammamish Plateau Water. Their current guidance is voluntary conservation: water two or three times a week, before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Mandatory limits would come from the water district or a state drought declaration.
Building permits are required for most residential pool installations in Sammamish. The City has adopted the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) at SMC 16.05.157 and the 2021 Washington State Residential Code at SMC 16.05.080. Permits are applied for online through MyBuildingPermit.com. Small prefabricated above-ground pools under 24 inches deep and 5,000 gallons are exempt.
Under the Sammamish Building and Property Maintenance Code (SMC Chapter 16.25), private swimming pools, hot tubs and spas containing water more than 36 inches deep must be completely surrounded by a fence or barrier at least 48 inches high, with openings too small to pass a 4-inch sphere and self-closing, self-latching gates. New-construction barriers must also meet the 2021 ISPSC.
Sammamish enforces statewide pool safety rules through the adopted 2021 ISPSC (SMC 16.05.157) and SMC Chapter 16.25. Requirements include perimeter barriers, self-latching gates, door/window alarms or powered safety covers for walls formed by the house, anti-entrapment suction outlets with dual drains, and required handholds and entry/exit means in pools.
Small prefabricated above-ground pools under 24 inches deep, holding 5,000 gallons or less and installed entirely above ground, are exempt from building permits in Sammamish. Larger above-ground pools need permits and must meet the adopted 2021 ISPSC barrier rules. Where the pool wall is the barrier, it must be 48 inches high and the ladder must be removable or lockable.
Hot tubs and spas in Sammamish fall under the adopted 2021 ISPSC (SMC 16.05.157) and SMC Chapter 16.25. A spa or hot tub holding water more than 36 inches deep needs a 48-inch barrier, but a spa or hot tub with an approved locking safety cover (ASTM F1346) is exempt from the fence requirement. Electrical and gas connections require permits.
Sammamish allows home businesses in residential zones under SMC 21A.65.050. A Type 1 home business (no odors, no visible/audible activity) is permitted outright; a Type 2 business with limited odors or some visible activity requires a Conditional Use Permit. The business area is limited to 50% of the dwelling, with no more than three nonresident employees per property.
Sammamish home businesses may have one sign — freestanding, wall, monument, or A-frame — with a maximum area of 6 square feet, under SMC 21A.45.060. A Sign Permit Application is required. The single-sign, 6-square-foot limit keeps home-business signage consistent with residential neighborhood character.
A Type 1 home business in Sammamish needs no special land use permit but must meet SMC 21A.65.050 standards; a Type 2 business requires a Conditional Use Permit. Separately, every business operating in Sammamish — including home occupations — must hold a City business license obtained through Washington's joint Business License Service.
A home daycare is allowed as a home business in Sammamish, but rules vary by zone (R-4 vs R-12). A Daycare I (up to 12 adults or children in any 24-hour period) is permitted, while a Daycare II (more than 12) requires a Conditional Use Permit. Providers must also obtain a Washington DCYF family home child care license.
Sammamish defers to Washington's cottage food law. To sell homemade food, you need a Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Cottage Food Operation Permit (RCW 69.22; WAC 16-149), which allows up to $35,000 in annual sales of approved non-hazardous foods. Larger food operations require a commercial kitchen, a City building permit, and King County Health Department approval.
Unincorporated King County home occupations cannot generate traffic, parking, or deliveries beyond what is normal for a residential use, under KCC 21A.30.080. Routine commercial truck deliveries are prohibited.
Sammamish has no general numeric "quiet hours" curfew in its noise code. SMC Chapter 8.15 bans public-nuisance noise at any time of day rather than between fixed hours. The clearest time limits are on construction (SMC 16.05.030), and Washington's state EDNA rules (WAC 173-60-040) impose a stricter nighttime decibel cap from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Sammamish limits construction by SMC 16.05.030: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays and major holidays. No construction is allowed on Sundays. The City Manager may grant exceptions. After-hours work is reported to the King County Sheriff.
Sammamish does not write its own barking-dog rule; SMC Chapter 11.05 adopts King County Code Title 11 (Animal Control) by reference. Under KCC 11.04.230, an animal that howls, yelps, whines, barks, or makes other oral noises to an unreasonable degree so as to disturb a person or neighborhood is an animal nuisance, enforced by King County Regional Animal Services.
Sammamish has no leaf-blower-specific ordinance - no gas-blower ban, no separate decibel cap, and no dedicated time-of-day rule for yard equipment. Leaf blowers are governed only by the general public-nuisance standard in SMC 8.15.020, which bars loud and raucous noise that unreasonably interferes with neighboring residential use.
Sammamish regulates amplified sound through SMC 8.15.020. Audio equipment - radios, speakers, players, whether portable or fixed - operated loud enough to be audible more than 75 feet from the source is a public nuisance. Vehicle public-address and audio systems audible beyond 75 feet are likewise prohibited. Scheduled park/stadium events and permitted festivals and parades are exempt.
Sammamish's SMC 8.15.020 makes frequent, repetitive, or continuous engine noise from starting, operating, repairing, or testing motor vehicles a public nuisance, along with repeated horn or siren sounding and vehicle audio audible beyond 75 feet. On public highways, Washington state law controls: RCW 46.37.390 requires working mufflers and bans amplified exhaust, and WAC 173-62 sets dBA limits.
Sammamish's own noise code sets no decibel limits. SMC 8.15.020 is a nuisance ordinance using "unreasonably disturbs" and a 75-foot audibility test, not dBA readings. Numeric decibel standards come from Washington state: WAC 173-60-040 caps residential (Class A EDNA) noise at 55 dBA, reduced to 45 dBA between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Outdoor music in Sammamish is controlled by SMC 8.15.020's 75-foot audibility rule and the loud-and-raucous nuisance standard. Audio equipment audible more than 75 feet from the source is a public nuisance. Regularly scheduled park or stadium events, community festivals, and permitted parades are expressly exempt, so private outdoor parties face the limit while sanctioned events do not.
Sammamish is a largely residential city without heavy industry, and SMC 8.15 sets no industrial decibel standard. Industrial/commercial noise affecting homes is governed primarily by Washington's WAC 173-60-040 EDNA limits: 60 dBA from an industrial source to a residential property, dropping to 50 dBA between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. The general SMC 8.15.020 nuisance rule also applies.
Sammamish cannot regulate aircraft noise - federal law preempts it. The FAA and the federal Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 control aircraft operations, curfews, and flight paths, leaving cities no authority to set airplane noise rules. Sammamish's own ordinance even excludes airplanes from its engine-noise nuisance provision (SMC 8.15.020.A).
Sammamish has no dedicated short-term rental permit or licensing chapter in its municipal code. Operators are governed by general residential zoning (SMC Titles 21A/21B), a citywide business license, and Washington's statewide short-term rental law, RCW Chapter 64.37, rather than a standalone STR permit.
Sammamish has no STR-specific registration program, but operators generally need a city business license endorsement, and short-term rental platforms must register with the Washington Department of Revenue under RCW 64.37.040. The controlling registration is state and business-license based, not a dedicated STR registry.
Short-term stays under 30 days in Sammamish are taxable transient lodging. Operators owe Washington retail sales tax and retailing B&O tax, plus King County lodging and convention/trade center taxes. The only city fee is the $15.00 annual business license. State law requires operators or platforms to remit all applicable taxes.
Sammamish sets no STR-specific guest cap in its code. Washington State law, RCW 64.37.030, requires every short-term rental to post a maximum occupancy limit inside the unit. Underlying residential building and zoning standards (SMC Titles 21A/21B) determine the practical limit; the posted occupancy must be honored.
Sammamish has no STR-specific parking standard. Guest parking is governed by the city's general residential zoning and parking provisions in SMC Title 21A and by neighborhood street-parking rules. State STR law (RCW 64.37) imposes no parking mandate, so the practical rules come from residential parking and right-of-way standards.
Short-term rental guests in Sammamish are subject to the city's public disturbance noise code (SMC Chapter 8.15). The city does not enforce general noise itself; it directs residents to call the Sammamish Police non-emergency line at (206) 296-3311. There is no STR-specific noise provision.
Sammamish imposes no primary-residence requirement on short-term rentals. Neither the municipal code nor Washington's RCW 64.37 limits hosting to a host's primary home, so both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied STRs are allowed subject to zoning, business licensing, and state safety and tax duties.
Sammamish does not require a host to be present during stays. Unhosted, whole-home rentals are allowed. Washington's RCW 64.37.030 requires only that the operator provide guest contact information for someone available to respond at the rental during the stay, not that the host physically stay on site.
Sammamish sets no annual night cap on short-term rentals. The only night-based threshold is the state definition: a stay of fewer than 30 consecutive nights is a short-term rental under RCW 64.37.010. There is no published limit on how many nights per year a property may be rented.
Washington law requires every short-term rental operator to maintain primary liability insurance of at least $1,000,000, or to book only through a platform providing equal or greater coverage (RCW 64.37.050). Sammamish adds no separate insurance rule, but the statewide $1 million minimum applies to all Sammamish hosts.
Properties in unincorporated King County that generate three or more verified noise, disorderly-conduct, or code calls within a 12-month window may be declared chronic nuisances under King County Code Title 14, exposing owners to abatement orders.
Under RCW 64.37, Airbnb, Vrbo, and other booking platforms operating in King County must require operators to attest to insurance, registration, and tax compliance, and must remove listings that fail to meet state and local requirements.
Stays of 30 days or longer in any King County short-term rental convert the guest into a tenant under the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, RCW 59.18, regardless of whether a lease was signed or the platform classifies the stay as short-term.
Sammamish bans all consumer fireworks. The sale, discharge, and possession of personal fireworks are prohibited citywide under SMC Chapter 8.10. Only permitted public displays are allowed. Illegal discharge carries escalating fines starting at $1,000 for a first violation.
Recreational fires in pits, rings, or chimineas are allowed in Sammamish but limited to 3 feet by 3 feet by 2 feet and must be at least 25 feet from structures and combustibles. Only charcoal or seasoned natural wood may be burned, and fires are banned during burn bans.
Burning yard waste and land-clearing debris is prohibited in Sammamish, which lies within the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency's urbanized no-burn area. Only small recreational fires using charcoal or dried wood are allowed. Burn barrels and trash burning are always illegal.
Sammamish has no mandatory defensible-space ordinance, but the city and Eastside Fire & Rescue recommend wildfire mitigation: clear flammable material from around the home, keep gutters and roofs free of debris, and screen vents. The city's tree regulations still apply when clearing vegetation.
Backyard recreational fires are allowed in Sammamish but limited to 3 ft by 3 ft by 2 ft, at least 25 feet from structures, burning only charcoal or seasoned wood, and always attended. They are banned during burn bans and during Eastside Fire's June 15-September 30 seasonal moratorium.
Sammamish adopts the 2021 Washington State Residential and Fire Codes (SMC 16.05). Smoke alarms are required in each sleeping room, outside sleeping areas, and on every level, with interconnection and battery backup. Carbon monoxide alarms are required where fuel-fired appliances are present.
Propane storage in Sammamish is governed by the 2021 Washington State Fire Code, adopted under SMC 16.05.130. Small consumer cylinders for grills are allowed, but larger LP-gas containers and commercial storage are regulated, and Eastside Fire & Rescue enforces fire-code limits.
Parts of Sammamish lie within the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), and a large share of King County's WUI is in Eastside Fire & Rescue's service area. There is currently no mandatory state WUI building code in effect; the city provides wildfire-mitigation guidance and home assessments.
Sammamish has no special RV/boat dimensional ban on residential streets; recreational vehicles, boats and trailers are governed by the citywide 72-hour street limit. In city parks, trailers, campers and boat trailers may park only in designated areas, and overnight boat mooring requires the Parks Director's permission.
Sammamish allows on-street parking but caps it at 72 consecutive hours under SMC 46.30.060. Unlicensed vehicles in the right-of-way are banned, bike lanes are off-limits, and state stopping/standing prohibitions in RCW 46.61.570 and 46.61.575 are adopted by reference through SMC 46.30.070.
Sammamish does not have a blanket overnight on-street parking ban. Vehicles may park overnight on residential streets subject only to the 72-hour limit (SMC 46.30.060), the unlicensed-vehicle rule, and posted restrictions. Overnight parking and mooring in city parks is restricted to designated areas with Director permission.
Sammamish has no dedicated commercial-vehicle street ordinance with size or weight thresholds. Commercial trucks and trailers parked on streets are governed by the 72-hour limit, the unlicensed-vehicle rule, and state stopping rules. Off-street truck loading and service areas are regulated by the Sammamish Development Code.
A vehicle left on a Sammamish street more than 72 hours can be classed as abandoned, tagged, and impounded if not removed within 24 hours of marking. The city follows SMC 46.05.010, SMC 46.30.060 and Washington's abandoned-vehicle statute RCW 46.55.085.
Sammamish regulates driveways mainly through its Development Code: driveway lanes are capped at 11 feet per entry/exit lane and must follow public-works standards. On-street, vehicles may not block a driveway, and parking near driveway curb radii is restricted by RCW 46.61.570, adopted through SMC 46.30.070.
Sammamish does not define an 'oversized vehicle' or impose length, height or weight street limits. Large motorhomes and trucks are controlled by the 72-hour rule (SMC 46.30.060), the unlicensed-vehicle ban, and state stopping rules. A resident push for a chronic-RV restriction led to tighter general enforcement, not a size ordinance.
Sammamish has no city-specific EV charging parking ordinance. Charging-station parking is governed by Washington state law: RCW 46.08.185 makes it a $124 parking infraction to occupy a publicly available EV charging space without being connected to the charger, and requires posted signage.
Sammamish has no separate municipal-code chapter creating timed on-street loading zones; loading and service areas are regulated through the Development Code (21.07.080), which requires off-street commercial loading areas at the rear of buildings. On-street loading follows RCW 46.61.570/46.61.575 adopted via SMC 46.30.070.
Sammamish does not have a colored-curb code; parking restrictions rely on signs and the state stopping rules adopted in SMC 46.30.070 (no parking within 15 ft of a hydrant or 20 ft of a crosswalk). A distinctive local rule, SMC 46.30.080, bars parking within five feet of mailboxes during posted hours.
Sammamish permits up to two ADUs on lots with a detached single-family home. A detached ADU may be up to 1,000 sq ft; an attached ADU up to 50% of the house or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is larger. No extra parking is required if the lot already has four or more spaces.
Sammamish does not require a building permit for a storage shed that is no more than 200 sq ft and no more than 12 ft tall, on a site free of critical areas. Larger sheds need a permit, and all sheds must meet zone-based setbacks (front 10-20 ft, rear and side 5-10 ft).
Converting a garage into living space in Sammamish generally creates an attached ADU, which the city allows. An attached ADU may be up to 50% of the home's size or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is larger. Permits are required, and any new parking demand is evaluated under the ADU parking rules.
Carports are treated as residential accessory structures in Sammamish. A simple storage structure of 200 sq ft or less and 12 ft or less may be permit-exempt, but most carports need a permit and must meet zone-based setbacks (front 10-20 ft, rear and side 5-10 ft) and height limits.
Sammamish has no separate tiny-home ordinance. A permanent tiny house on a foundation is treated as a detached ADU, capped at 1,000 sq ft, and the city allows up to two ADUs per single-family lot. Movable tiny houses on wheels are not recognized as permanent dwellings.
Sammamish caps residential fences at 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards, with a lower 3.5-foot limit inside the sight-distance triangle at corners. Fences up to 8 feet may be approved with a permit and a recorded neighbor agreement.
Standard fences within Sammamish's height limits (4 feet front, 6 feet side/rear) generally do not need a building permit, but a fence taller than 6 feet, or any fence reaching the 8-foot maximum by exception, requires a Type I Construction Permit and a recorded neighbor agreement.
Sammamish does not set a general shared-cost rule for boundary fences, but its code makes neighbor cooperation mandatory for tall fences: a fence over 6 feet (up to 8 feet) on a shared side or rear lot line requires a recorded agreement, including a maintenance agreement, with the adjoining owner.
In Sammamish, a fence on top of a rockery, retaining wall, or berm is limited so the fence portion does not exceed 6 feet measured from the top of the wall, and the combined fence-plus-wall height is capped (10 feet in lower-density residential zones). Separate engineering and permits apply to the wall itself.
Sammamish defines a fence as a barrier that encloses space or separates lots, made of materials such as stone, brick, concrete block, wood, metal, mesh, or rails. Hedges and vegetation are not fences. Fences must respect height limits, the corner sight-distance triangle, and special shoreline and critical-area rules.
Sammamish prohibits barbed wire and razor wire fences in residential zones (R-4 through R-18) except where needed for security at a non-residential use. Electric fences may be installed only as complete, factory-assembled units certified by an approved testing agency.
Sammamish allows a wide range of fence materials including stone, brick, concrete block, wood, metal, mesh, rails, and composites. There is no general aesthetic material mandate for residential fences, but barbed wire, razor wire, and non-certified electric fences are barred in residential zones.
King County follows Washington State Building Code pool barrier rules. Residential pools and spas over 24 in deep need a 48-in barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates opening outward from the pool.
In Sammamish parks, dogs must be leashed (no longer than 16 feet) except in designated off-leash areas. The city also adopts King County's animal code, which treats a dog 'at large' off the owner's premises as a public nuisance. Beaver Lake Park has an official off-leash dog area.
Sammamish allows backyard hens under its zoning code (SMC 21A.65.020, Animal regulations - Small animals). Reported limits are about 3 hens on lots under half an acre, with density tied to coop size on larger lots, and structures housing animals set back at least 10 feet from property lines. No city permit is reported for small numbers.
No Sammamish-specific breed ban (such as a pit bull ban) was found in the city code or its adopted King County animal code. Washington state law (RCW 16.08.110) limits breed-specific dog laws and requires any breed-based regulation to include a good-behavior exemption. Dangerous-dog rules apply by conduct, not breed.
No Sammamish-specific beekeeping ordinance was found in the city code, and a statewide survey of Washington beekeeping ordinances did not list Sammamish or unincorporated King County. Backyard beekeeping is governed mainly by Washington state law: hives must use movable frames and beekeepers must register apiaries with the state Department of Agriculture under RCW 15.60.
Through its adoption of King County Code Title 11 (SMC 11.05), Sammamish prohibits harboring exotic animals such as dangerous snakes, nonhuman primates, bears, non-domesticated cats and dogs (including wolf hybrids), and crocodilians, unless an exception under RCW 16.30.020 applies. Such animals are subject to impoundment.
Keeping livestock and large animals (horses, cattle, goats) in Sammamish is governed by the city's zoning code (SMC Title 21A) on a lot-size basis, carried over from King County's framework. Letting livestock run at large is prohibited under the adopted King County animal code, which designates the area as a stock-restricted area.
Sammamish has no flat household pet cap of its own. Through its adopted King County code, four or more dogs or cats at a residence triggers a hobby kennel or cattery license, with the total tied to lot size (up to 5 on mid-size lots, capped at 20 on large acreage, no more than 3 unaltered).
Cats in Sammamish are covered by the adopted King County code (SMC 11.05): cats eight weeks and older must be licensed with Regional Animal Services, keeping four or more cats requires a hobby cattery license, and non-juvenile cats must generally be spayed or neutered. There is no citywide cat leash or indoor-only mandate.
No standalone Sammamish ordinance banning the feeding of wildlife was located. The adopted King County animal code prohibits leaving food out in ways that create a public nuisance, and the city's park rules restrict feeding within parks. Black bears and other wildlife occur locally, so attracting wildlife can trigger nuisance enforcement.
Sammamish addresses animal hoarding through the cruelty, neglect, and care provisions of the adopted King County code (SMC 11.05). Owners must provide adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care; serious violations are misdemeanors, and a violator can be barred from owning or residing with animals for up to two years.
King County Code Title 11 requires every dog and cat over eight weeks old to be licensed annually with Regional Animal Services; microchips are strongly encouraged and used by RASKC to reunite lost pets with owners.
King County does not mandate spay/neuter for owned pets, but KCC 11.04 charges substantially lower annual license fees for altered dogs and cats to encourage sterilization and reduce shelter intake.
King County does not regulate coyotes directly; the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife handles non-domestic wildlife under RCW Title 77, while RASKC and KCSO respond only to immediate public-safety threats from coyotes.
King County does not impose a countywide retail puppy-mill sourcing ban, but RCW 16.52 cruelty laws apply to pet stores; some cities like Seattle restrict retail dog and cat sales to rescue and shelter sources only.
Veterinary clinics in unincorporated King County are permitted in commercial and some mixed-use zones under KCC Title 21A, with overnight boarding subject to additional kennel standards and noise, odor, and waste-control conditions.
Sammamish requires a tree removal permit to remove any 'significant tree' — a conifer 8 inches DBH or larger or a deciduous tree 12 inches DBH or larger — under SDC 21.03.060. Applications are screened within two business days and reviewed within five. Public right-of-way trees need a Right-of-Way permit. Removing a protected tree without a permit costs $1,500 per inch of trunk diameter.
Cities across King County operate heritage tree programs that designate notable specimens for protection, while King County itself protects landmark trees indirectly through the Critical Areas Ordinance and historic preservation designations.
Sammamish controls blighted property through its Building and Property Maintenance Code (SMC Chapter 16.25) and the civil code compliance system in SMC Title 23. Exterior property must be kept clean, safe and sanitary, vacant land must not cause a blighting problem, and all code violations are declared public nuisances under SMC 23.30.010.
Sammamish requires vacant land and vacant structures to be kept clean, safe, secure and sanitary under SMC 16.25.195(3), so they do not cause a blighting problem. Premises must be graded to prevent stagnant water (SMC 16.25.200(2)). The City may order a vacant, unfit structure closed and placarded under SMC 16.25.155.
Garage sales are explicitly allowed in Sammamish without a business license. SMC 5.05.030(4)(c) exempts 'casual and isolated sales, including garage sales conducted on residential premises,' provided no more than four such sales are held per calendar year. No permit fee or city license is required for a compliant residential garage sale.
Under SMC 16.25.225, Sammamish requires every dwelling to have an approved leakproof, covered outside garbage container, and rubbish must be kept in approved covered containers. Property must be free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage. Discarded refrigerators and similar appliances are defined as an attractive nuisance and may not be stored outside.
Sammamish's Building and Property Maintenance Code (SMC 16.25.200) requires exterior property to be kept clean, safe and sanitary, but it does NOT set a numeric grass or weed height limit. There is no specific 'mow your lawn' inch threshold in the SMC. King County noxious weeds are regulated separately under state law (Chapter 17.10 RCW).
Unincorporated King County does not mandate residential sidewalk snow and ice removal. King County Road Services plows and treats county roads by priority route. Residents are encouraged but not required to clear sidewalks abutting their property.
Propane and charcoal barbecue grills are allowed in Sammamish and, as manufactured cooking devices, do not require a burn permit. Grilling is governed by the adopted 2021 Washington State Fire Code, which restricts open-flame grills near combustible multifamily buildings.
Charcoal, propane, pellet, and wood smokers are allowed in Sammamish as manufactured cooking devices and do not require a burn permit. Smokers must use charcoal or seasoned wood, be attended, and not create a smoke nuisance for neighbors. Gas/propane cooking generally continues during air-quality bans.
Curbside recycling is provided to all Sammamish customers through the contracted hauler, and recyclables must be 'empty, clean, and dry.' Accepted materials include standard recyclables plus milk cartons. There is no city recycling-mandate ordinance; service follows the hauler contract and King County's Re+ landfill-diversion approach.
Sammamish has no local mandatory-organics ordinance, but weekly food and yard waste (compost) collection is already included in the garbage rate. Washington's 2022 Organics Management Law (HB 1799, codified in Chapter 70A.205 RCW) drives the requirements: large businesses must manage organics now, and residential organics collection must be available by April 1, 2027 and becomes mandatory April 1, 2030.
Sammamish contracts curbside collection to private haulers — Republic Services serves most of the city and WM (Waste Management) serves some annexed neighborhoods. Garbage, recycling and weekly compost/yard-and-food-waste are collected on a set weekly day; compost service is included in the garbage rate. There is no city collection ordinance — service is set by the hauler contract.
Sammamish has no municipal-code rule on where or when to set out collection carts; placement follows the contracted hauler's guidelines. The City's guidance is simply to 'place your carts at the curb at the same time and place you have been.' Off-collection days, the property maintenance code requires approved covered containers and bars rubbish accumulation (SMC 16.25.225).
Sammamish does not regulate bulky-item disposal by ordinance; large items, extra garbage and special materials are handled through the contracted hauler. As of January 1, 2024, residents can schedule free curbside collection of batteries, small appliances, scrap metal, fluorescent tubes/bulbs, household items and rigid plastics by contacting Republic Services at (206) 777-6441.
Sammamish regulates political signs content-neutrally as non-commercial temporary signs. On private property a sign may be up to 32 sq ft and 8 ft tall for up to 180 days. In the right-of-way, a non-A-frame sign may be up to 4 sq ft and 3 ft tall for up to 180 days.
Sammamish does not have a separate garage-sale-sign rule. Directional or event signs are handled under the general temporary-sign provisions. A small A-frame sign in the right-of-way may be up to 6 sq ft and 3.5 ft tall for only 5 consecutive days, and signs may not block sidewalks, travel lanes, or sight distance.
Sammamish requires outdoor light fixtures to be fully shielded and pointed downward, and caps outdoor lighting at 5.0 lumens per square foot of hardscape outside the building. Limited accent and overhang lighting is allowed within stated lumen caps.
Sammamish requires outdoor light fixtures to be fully shielded, pointed downward, and maintained so they cause minimal or no light trespass onto adjacent properties. Outdoor lighting is also capped at 5.0 lumens per square foot of hardscape.
Sammamish parks, open spaces, trails, and marine areas are open from dawn to 30 minutes after sunset. No one may enter or remain during hours of closure except for authorized events. Parking-lot gates open at 8 a.m. and close 30 minutes after sunset.
Unincorporated King County does not have a general juvenile curfew ordinance. Washington state law protects minors freedom of movement except when expressly restricted. Some cities within King County (such as parts of Seattle and Bellevue at specific parks or venues) have limited curfew rules for specific places.
Sammamish uses dynamic single-family setbacks that grow with house size. A house under 2,500 square feet needs about a 15-foot front, 5-foot side, and 15-foot average rear setback, while larger homes require deeper setbacks. Lots on arterial streets need a 30-foot front setback.
Sammamish limits residential building height to 35 feet in the R-1 through R-8 zones (with a 24-foot sidewall limit in R-4) and 60 feet in R-12 and R-18. Height is measured from average existing grade, and certain rooftop features may extend above the limit.
Sammamish limits how much of a residential lot can be covered by buildings and hard surfaces. Maximum building lot coverage is about 40% in R-4 and 50% in R-6, and maximum impervious surface ranges from 30% in R-1 up to 85% in R-12 and R-18, with special rules for large lots.
Bars and nightclubs in unincorporated King County must meet KCC 12.86 commercial-to-residential limits of 57 dBA day and 47 dBA night. WSLCB liquor license conditions often impose outdoor music curfews.
HVAC equipment in unincorporated King County must meet KCC 12.86 limits of 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night at adjacent property lines. Setback, sound blankets, or enclosures are often required for nighttime compliance.
Generators in unincorporated King County must meet KCC 12.86 limits of 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night at residential boundaries. Emergency operation during declared power outages is exempt under WAC 173-60-050.
Solar PV installations in King County require electrical and building permits through MyBuildingPermit.com. Systems under 25 kW get express review. Net metering is required under RCW 80.60.
Washington law (RCW 64.38.055 and RCW 64.90.510) prohibits King County HOAs from banning solar panels. Associations may impose reasonable aesthetic rules that do not significantly reduce efficiency.
HOA disputes in King County move through internal process, mediation, then civil court. WUCIOA (RCW 64.90) encourages ADR. King County Superior Court handles most litigation.
King County HOAs follow Washington law. WUCIOA (RCW 64.90) governs post-2018 communities. RCW 64.38 covers older HOAs. RCW 64.34 covers older condos. Board meetings require 14-day notice.
King County CC&Rs are enforced by the HOA board under Washington law. WUCIOA (RCW 64.90) requires notice, hearing, and uniform application. Courts void unreasonable or selectively-enforced covenants.
King County HOAs commonly require architectural review for exterior modifications. Washington law (RCW 64.90, RCW 64.38) allows reasonable controls but protects solar, flags, and clotheslines.
HOA assessments in King County are governed by Washington law. WUCIOA (RCW 64.90) allows regular and special assessments, late fees, and automatic liens on delinquent units, with 6-month super-priority.
In unincorporated King County, sidewalks are limited and primarily located in urban-designated areas. Under KCC 14.30, abutting property owners share responsibility for sidewalk maintenance and may be required to repair damaged sidewalks adjoining their property in cooperation with the Road Services Division.
Sidewalks and public rights of way in unincorporated King County must be kept clear under KCC Title 14. Obstructions like parked vehicles, overgrown vegetation, merchandise, construction materials, or debris are prohibited without a permit from the Road Services Division.
Unincorporated King County does not operate a general rental registration program. Landlords must, however, follow Washington state requirements (business license, lead disclosure, landlord-tenant registry on individual notices). Several cities within King County (notably Seattle via RRIO) do require rental registration.
Under RCW 59.18.650 (effective 2021), Washington statewide law requires just cause for terminating most month-to-month residential tenancies. King County also enacted Ordinance 19340 extending just-cause protections in unincorporated King County. Landlords must cite a permitted reason and provide proper notice.
Washington state law (RCW 35.21.830) preempts local rent control in King County and all Washington jurisdictions. Neither King County nor any city within it may cap rent increases. Landlords must follow state notice requirements for rent increases under RCW 59.18.140 (minimum 60 days notice typically, 180 days in some cases).
Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act and King County tenant-protection ordinances require landlords to pay relocation assistance when displacing tenants for substantial rehabilitation, demolition, or change of use, with amounts varying by city and tenant income level.
Under RCW 59.18.270, all security and damage deposits collected from King County tenants must be held in a trust account at a Washington financial institution, with the tenant given written notice of the bank's name and address within the lease.
Since 2021, Washington's just-cause statute RCW 59.18.650 prohibits no-fault evictions of month-to-month tenants. Landlords in King County must cite one of sixteen enumerated causes such as nonpayment, lease violation, owner move-in, or substantial rehabilitation.
Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act and Seattle's Renting in Seattle ordinance prohibit landlord harassment of tenants, including utility shutoffs, lockouts, repeated entry without notice, and threats designed to force a tenant to vacate.
RCW 59.18.255 prohibits King County landlords from refusing to rent based on a tenant's lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers, Social Security, veterans benefits, child support, and unemployment compensation.
The King County Housing Authority and Seattle Housing Authority jointly administer Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers across the county. Landlords must accept vouchers under RCW 59.18.255 and follow HUD inspection and rent reasonableness standards.
Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act prohibits landlords from passing through new fees during a tenancy that were not disclosed in the original lease, including utility surcharges, trash fees, and capital improvement assessments under RCW 59.18.140.
Elevators in King County are regulated by Washington L&I under RCW 70.87 and WAC 296-96. Annual state inspections and operating permits are required. ASME A17.1 is the adopted safety code.
Pest control in King County follows Washington WSDA rules under RCW 17.21 and WAC 16-228. Commercial applicators must be licensed. Landlords must provide pest-free rentals under RCW 59.18.
Lead paint in King County follows federal EPA RRP rule (40 CFR 745) and Washington RCW 70A.340. Pre-1978 housing triggers disclosure and certified contractor requirements for most renovations.
Scaffolds in King County are regulated by Washington L&I DOSH under WAC 296-874. Scaffolds over 4 feet (general industry) or 10 feet (construction) require guardrails and fall protection.
Childcare centers in King County must meet Washington State Building Code occupancy requirements under RCW 19.27 and obtain a license from the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families per RCW 43.216 and WAC 110-300.
Washington's adopted International Residential Code under RCW 19.27 makes fire sprinklers mandatory in townhouses and multifamily buildings; single-family fire sprinklers are typically required only when triggered by access, water-supply, or local amendments.
King County buildings must meet the Washington State Energy Code under RCW 19.27A, one of the strictest in the nation; the county's Strategic Climate Action Plan also drives green-building incentives toward carbon neutrality by 2050.
Door locks on residential and commercial buildings in King County must comply with the Washington-adopted International Building Code and International Fire Code under RCW 19.27, ensuring single-action egress without keys, tools, or special knowledge.
King County Code Title 21A controls house bulk through floor-area, lot-coverage, and height limits rather than a dedicated mansionization ordinance, with stricter standards in rural and Vashon Island zones to preserve neighborhood character.
Stormwater in King County is regulated under KCC 9.04 and the Surface Water Design Manual. Projects adding 2,000 sq ft of impervious surface or clearing 7,000 sq ft trigger review. NPDES MS4 permit applies.
Grading and drainage in King County are governed by KCC 16.82 and the Surface Water Design Manual. Grading over 50 cubic yards or affecting critical areas requires permits and drainage review.
Floodplain development in King County is regulated under KCC 21A.24 and FEMA NFIP. SFHAs require elevated construction to BFE plus 1 foot freeboard, flood vents, and development permits.
Erosion control in King County is regulated under KCC 16.82 and the Surface Water Design Manual. Clearing over 7,000 sq ft or grading over 50 cubic yards requires a permit with BMPs and wet-season rules.
King County's Strategic Climate Action Plan, updated in 2020, sets a binding countywide goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 with a 50% reduction by 2030 from a 2007 baseline.
King County itself does not ban gas-powered leaf blowers countywide, but several cities including Seattle are phasing out gas blowers, and noise rules in KCC 12.86 apply to all power equipment.
King County and Washington state limit unnecessary diesel idling, particularly near schools, hospitals, and Metro bus bases, to protect air quality in the central Puget Sound airshed.
King County encourages cool roofs and reflective surfaces through the Washington State Energy Code and green building incentives, especially for large commercial reroofs in unincorporated areas and Metro facilities.
King County addresses urban heat islands through tree canopy goals, cool surfaces, and equity-focused investments under the Strategic Climate Action Plan and the 30-year Land Conservation Initiative.
Unincorporated King County's marine shoreline along Puget Sound and Vashon-Maury Island is regulated under the Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58), the King County Shoreline Master Program (K.C.C. Title 21A), and the Critical Areas Ordinance at K.C.C. Chapter 21A.24. Shoreline jurisdiction extends 200 feet inland from the ordinary high water mark. Critical-area buffers along marine shorelines are typically 115 to 165 feet.
Recreational drone operation in King County is primarily governed by FAA 14 CFR Part 107 and the FAA Recreational Flyer rules. Drones must be registered if over 250 grams, stay under 400 feet AGL, and avoid restricted airspace around Sea-Tac Airport. King County Parks prohibits drone takeoff and landing in most county parks.
Commercial drone operations in Washington are governed by FAA Part 107, with state law adding criminal liability for invasive uses and limited authority over state-owned land.
Unincorporated King County does not enforce a sit-lie ordinance, but Seattle's SMC 15.48.040 prohibits sitting or lying on downtown sidewalks between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., and Bellevue and Kent have similar narrow daytime restrictions in commercial cores.
The King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA), formed jointly by Seattle and King County in 2019, coordinates encampment outreach, sanitation, and resolution. Cleanups follow protocols requiring advance notice, belongings storage, and shelter offers.
King County and Seattle authorize transitional bridge housing including tiny-house villages, enhanced shelters, and safe parking, operated under contract by KCRHA, the Low Income Housing Institute, Mary's Place, and DESC, with streamlined permitting.
Public Health Seattle and King County posts color-coded inspection placards at restaurants countywide. Cards rate facilities Excellent, Good, OK, or Needs to Improve based on red and blue critical violation points scored over four prior inspections.
King County Board of Health Code Title 8 requires property owners to keep premises free of rat harborage and to use rodent-proof construction for refuse storage. Public Health investigates complaints in unincorporated areas and contracts with cities.
Anyone working with unpackaged food, food equipment, or utensils in King County must hold a valid Washington Food Worker Card. The card is obtained by passing an online training and exam through Public Health Seattle and King County.
Washington landlord-tenant law and PHSKC guidance require rental property owners to investigate and treat reported bed bug infestations. Tenants must cooperate with inspections, prepare units, and avoid moving infested furniture between dwellings.
King County operates needle exchange and sharps drop sites under PHSKC. Residents may not place used syringes in curbside trash or recycling. Free puncture-resistant containers and disposal kiosks are available at health clinics and transfer stations.
State law and King County Code require licensed cannabis retailers, producers, and processors to sit at least 1000 feet from schools, playgrounds, recreation centers, child care, public parks, public transit centers, libraries, and game arcades. Cities may reduce the buffer to 100 feet for some uses.
Initiative 502 legalized adult cannabis retail in Washington but did not authorize home cultivation. King County residents may not grow recreational cannabis at home. Only state-licensed Liquor and Cannabis Board producers can cultivate, and qualifying medical patients have narrow limits.
King County Code Title 21A allows state-licensed cannabis retailers, producers, and processors only in specific commercial, industrial, and rural zones in unincorporated areas. Each city sets its own zoning, and several cities ban retail sales entirely.
Washington does not authorize recreational cannabis delivery to consumers. Customers in King County must purchase in person at licensed retailers. Only registered medical patients can use a limited cooperative model, and licensee-to-licensee transport requires LCB-approved transporter licenses.
Washington uniquely prohibits recreational home cultivation of cannabis statewide, with cultivation only permitted by licensed producers and qualifying medical patients.
Washington's statewide plastic carryout bag ban under RCW 70A.530 took effect in 2021 and applies countywide. Stores cannot give thin plastic carryout bags. Reusable bags and recycled-content paper bags meeting state standards are allowed and must be sold for at least eight cents each.
Washington banned expanded polystyrene foam food service containers, coolers, and packing peanuts under RCW 70A.245. Phased restrictions began in 2023 and apply throughout King County. Compostable and recyclable alternatives are required for foodware.
RCW 70A.245 requires food service businesses statewide to provide single-use utensils, straws, condiment packets, and beverage lids only when customers ask or affirmatively select them. The rule applies to dine-in, takeout, delivery, and drive-through orders countywide.
Plastic straws are not banned outright in Washington but, under RCW 70A.245, food service businesses can only provide them when a customer specifically asks. Seattle has a stricter rule prohibiting plastic straws entirely except where required for accessibility.
Washington raised the legal age to purchase tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vapor products to 21 under RCW 70.155.010 (Tobacco 21). King County retailers must check ID for anyone appearing under 30, and Public Health Seattle and King County conducts compliance checks countywide.
Vapor product retailers in King County must hold a Washington vapor product license issued by the Liquor and Cannabis Board under RCW 70.345. Sales to minors are prohibited, online age verification is required, and self-service displays are restricted for non-cigarette tobacco and vapor products.
Washington has not enacted a statewide flavored tobacco ban, leaving flavor restrictions to limited Department of Health authority and federal FDA enforcement on flavored vapor cartridges.
King County water utilities, led by Seattle Public Utilities and the Saving Water Partnership, set voluntary lawn watering schedules and can declare mandatory restrictions during drought conditions.
King County water utilities require customers to fix detectable leaks promptly and offer high-bill leak adjustments when an undetected service-line leak causes an unusual spike in metered water use.
Several King County water utilities offer turf replacement and natural lawn rebates, encouraging homeowners to swap thirsty grass for native, drought-tolerant landscaping that protects salmon streams.
KCC Title 21A grants density bonuses, height increases, and reduced parking when projects in unincorporated King County provide deed-restricted affordable housing or other public benefits.
King County and Sound Transit promote transit-oriented communities along Link light rail corridors, requiring affordable housing, reduced parking, and pedestrian-friendly design near new stations.
The King County Comprehensive Plan, mandated by the Washington Growth Management Act, guides land use through countywide policies and detailed community and subarea plans for unincorporated areas like Vashon-Maury Island and Snoqualmie Valley.
Shared electric scooter and bike programs operate under city permits across King County, including Seattle's e-scooter pilot, Bellevue, Redmond, and Tacoma adjacent corridors, with Sound Transit station rules applied countywide.
King County's Regional Trails System and the 2018 Strategic Plan for Road Services govern bike lanes, separated cycle tracks, and shared-use paths across unincorporated roads, with cities adopting similar Complete Streets policies.
King County licenses adult entertainment establishments under KCC Title 6, requiring background checks, distance buffers from schools and residential zones, and separate manager and entertainer permits, with strict no-touch and lighting standards.
Massage therapists in King County must hold a Washington state license under RCW 18.108, and establishments need local business licenses; counties enforce zoning, signage, and anti-trafficking inspection rules to combat illicit operations.
Tobacco and vapor retailers in King County must hold a state Liquor and Cannabis Board license, and Public Health Seattle and King County enforces minimum age 21 sales under RCW 70.155 and vapor product rules under RCW 70.345.
Secondhand goods dealers in King County must register with local police, record seller identification, and hold purchased items for a minimum period under RCW 19.60 to allow recovery of stolen property by law enforcement.
Pawnbrokers in King County need a state-recognized local license under RCW 19.60.045, must report transactions to police, observe interest rate and fee caps, and hold pledged items at least 90 days before forfeiture.
King County and its cities respond to loud parties under noise ordinances and state disorderly conduct law (RCW 9A.84.030); a second response within a defined window can trigger costs charged to property owners.
Washington's Smoking in Public Places Act (RCW 70.160) bans indoor smoking and within 25 feet of doors and windows; King County Parks prohibits smoking and vaping in parks and natural areas under departmental rule.
Adults 21 and older may possess cannabis under Washington Initiative 502, but public consumption violates RCW 69.50.445 with civil infractions; King County Parks separately bans use in all parks and natural areas.
Washington prohibits opening or consuming alcohol in public places under RCW 66.44.100, and King County Parks bans alcohol without permit; cities maintain alcohol impact areas and downtown sidewalk drinking restrictions.
King County imposes a 4 percent lodging tax on hotel and short-term rental stays under chapter 67.28 RCW, layered on the 6.5 percent state sales tax and local rates, totaling about 10.5 percent or more.
Several King County cities, including Seattle, require hotels to retain incumbent workers for a transition period when the property changes hands, modeled on Seattle's Hotel Employees Health and Safety Initiative passed in 2016.
SeaTac's Proposition 1 sets a hospitality living wage above state minimum, and Seattle hotels of 100-plus rooms face Initiative 124 wage and benefit standards; both apply within their city limits, layered on state wages.
Washington's statewide minimum wage under RCW 49.46.020 is $16.66 per hour in 2026 with annual inflation adjustments; cities including Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila, and Renton set higher local floors under their own ordinances.
Washington's Paid Family and Medical Leave program (RCW 49.86) provides up to 12 weeks of partially paid leave, and RCW 49.46.200 requires employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave per 40 hours worked.
Washington has no statewide predictable scheduling law and does not preempt local rules, allowing cities like Seattle to enforce secure scheduling ordinances.
King County Ordinance 18467 (2017) limits county cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and Washington's Keep Washington Working Act (RCW 10.93.160) restricts state and local agencies from immigration questioning and detainers.
Washington has no state E-Verify mandate, and RCW 49.60 prohibits employment discrimination based on national origin or immigration-related characteristics statewide.
King County Code Enforcement prioritizes cases based on public health, safety, and environmental impact. Environmental hazards and high-priority cases are investigated within 24 hours. Non-priority cases receive initial contact within approximately 30 days. The investigation process can take weeks to months depending on complexity.
King County Code Enforcement investigates violations of county codes in unincorporated areas. Complaints can be filed by phone at (206) 296-6650, by mail, or through the online complaint form in King County's Online Permitting System. The department handles zoning, building, property maintenance, shoreline, and critical area violations.
The most frequently investigated code violations in unincorporated King County include junk and debris accumulation, construction without permits, clearing or grading without permits, junk vehicles, illegal businesses in residential zones, dangerous buildings, and critical area/shoreline violations.
In unincorporated King County, fences generally do not require a building permit unless they exceed certain height thresholds. The King County zoning code (KCC Title 21A) regulates fence height by zone. Standard residential zones allow 6-foot side/rear fences and 4-foot front yard fences. Critical area buffers may restrict fencing.
Washington is a strict two-party (all-party) consent state under RCW 9.73.030. Recording any private conversation — in person, by phone, or electronically — without the consent of all parties is a gross misdemeanor. Victims can also sue for civil damages including $100/day or $1,000 minimum plus attorney's fees.
Security cameras are legal on private property in King County. Washington is a strict two-party (all-party) consent state for audio recording under RCW 9.73.030. Video-only surveillance of public areas is generally permitted. Cameras with audio recording require consent of all parties being recorded. Cameras must not record areas with a reasonable expectation of privacy.
In unincorporated King County, storage sheds of 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit when accessory to a residential home and used for agricultural or storage purposes. Sheds over 200 square feet require a building permit. All sheds must comply with zoning setbacks.
Fences under 7 feet in height generally do not require a building permit in unincorporated King County. Fences must comply with KCC Title 21A zoning height limits (typically 6 feet rear/side, 4 feet front). Retaining walls over 4 feet require permits. Fences in critical areas may need additional review.
Most renovation work in unincorporated King County requires a building permit. Cosmetic work (painting, flooring, cabinets) is exempt. Structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work all require permits. King County adopts the Washington State Building Code, based on the International Residential Code.
Decks not exceeding 200 square feet and not more than 30 inches above grade are generally exempt from permits in unincorporated King County. Larger or elevated decks require building permits. Concrete patios at grade do not require permits. Decks in flood zones or critical areas have additional requirements.
King County does not have a specific bamboo ordinance. Running bamboo is not on the King County Noxious Weed List. However, bamboo that spreads beyond property lines may be addressed as a nuisance under Washington civil law. The Pacific Northwest climate is favorable for running bamboo, making root barriers advisable.
The King County Noxious Weed Control Board enforces control of noxious weeds classified as Class A, B, and C under RCW 17.10. Class A weeds must be eradicated by all property owners. Class B and C control varies. The county maintains a 'Weeds of Concern' list for non-regulated invasive species. King County also has the authority under KCC 21A.24 to regulate vegetation in critical areas.
Front yard vegetable and edible gardens are permitted in unincorporated King County. The county zoning code (KCC Title 21A) does not prohibit edible landscaping. King County actively promotes food gardening through its Local Food Initiative and partnership with programs like Tilth Alliance. Raised beds and food forests are common throughout the area.
Washington issues concealed pistol licenses under RCW 9.41.070 on a shall-issue basis to qualified applicants, with statewide preemption preventing local concealed carry rules.
Washington RCW 9.41.290 broadly preempts local firearm regulation, reserving authority over firearm laws to the state legislature with very limited exceptions.
Washington allows open carry of firearms by qualified adults without a permit, with limited statutory restrictions and broad preemption barring most local open carry rules.
Washington RCW 9.41.050 governs carrying firearms in vehicles statewide, requiring a concealed pistol license to carry a loaded handgun in a motor vehicle.
Washington's Growth Management Act under RCW 36.70A.170 requires counties and cities to designate and protect agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance through zoning.
Washington RCW 7.48.305 protects established agricultural activities from nuisance lawsuits when operations existed before nearby nonagricultural land uses changed the area.