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.
King County Code Title 14 regulates the use and obstruction of public rights of way, which includes sidewalks in unincorporated areas. Property owners and occupants are prohibited from placing obstructions on sidewalks that interfere with pedestrian travel, including ADA-required 4-foot clear path. Common obstructions include: parked vehicles across sidewalks, overhanging vegetation (branches and shrubs) below 8 feet over sidewalks or 14 feet over roadways, construction debris and materials, merchandise displays, dumpsters, portable signs, and temporary storage. Use of the right of way for any obstruction beyond normal pedestrian and vehicle travel generally requires a right of way use permit from the King County Road Services Division. Temporary obstructions for construction or moving typically require a short-term permit. Residents must trim overhanging vegetation to maintain clearance; the county can issue a notice and, after noncompliance, trim at the owners cost. Blocking a sidewalk for commercial purposes (pop-up retail, food vendors, display signs) without a permit is a code violation. In winter, while Washington State has no statewide snow removal law, King County encourages but does not mandate sidewalk snow clearing in unincorporated areas. Complaints can be filed through King County Road Services.
Obstructions on sidewalks or rights of way can trigger a notice of violation, removal orders, and civil penalties under KCC 23.32 starting at 100 dollars per day. The county may perform removal and lien costs against the abutting property.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Kirkland, WA
Leaf blowers and power equipment are restricted to 8 AM to 8 PM weekdays and 9 AM to 6 PM on weekends and holidays under KMC 11.84A. Kirkland has not adopted...
Kirkland, WA
Kirkland sits about 20 miles north of Sea-Tac and is lightly affected by commercial flights. Kenmore Air seaplanes and Renton Municipal general aviation caus...
Kirkland, WA
Kirkland does not impose a citywide overnight parking ban, but enforces the 72-hour rule, signed residential permit zones, and no-parking signs at parks, tra...
Kirkland, WA
Kirkland driveways must remain paved, accessible, and used for vehicle parking per KMC Title 115 zoning code, which limits front-yard paving and requires app...
Kirkland, WA
EV charging in Kirkland follows the Washington State Energy Code, which requires EV-ready capacity in new multifamily and commercial parking and protects pub...
Kirkland, WA
Under KZC 115.40, Kirkland fences may be up to 6 feet except within 15 feet of a street curb. Properties on a neighborhood access or collector street are cap...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how Kirkland's obstruction rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.