Kitsap County, WA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Covers
- Drainage, debris, plant growth blocking sidewalks
- Eviction property
- Must clear ROW within 24 hours
- Exemption
- County-authorized events and parades
- Penalty
- $250 per day
- Jurisdiction
- Unincorporated Kitsap County only
Summary
In unincorporated Kitsap County, blocking a public sidewalk or right-of-way, letting drainage or plant growth spill onto one, or leaving evicted tenants' belongings at the curb past 24 hours, is a public nuisance under County Code § 9.56.020(10)(b)(vi), enforced by the Department of Community Development with a $250-a-day penalty.
Obstructions to the public right-of-way including, but not limited to, use of property abutting a public street or sidewalk or use of a public street or sidewalk which causes any obstruction to traffic or to open access to the streets or sidewalks. This subsection shall not apply to events, parades, or the use of the streets or public rights-of-way when authorized by the county. This section includes the existence of drainage onto or over any sidewalk, street or public right-of-way, and the existence of any debris or plant growth on sidewalks adjacent to any property, and any personal property and/or solid waste that has been placed onto a public right-of-way pursuant to a court-ordered eviction per Title 59 RCW which has not been removed after twenty-four hours;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4864424; v0 updated 2025-12-08; through 12-08-2025).
Full Breakdown
020(10)(b)(vi) of the Kitsap County Code lists obstructions to the public right-of-way as a nuisance, including any use of property abutting a public street or sidewalk, or use of the street or sidewalk itself, that obstructs traffic or blocks open access to the streets or sidewalks. The provision expressly reaches drainage flowing onto or over a sidewalk, street, or right-of-way, debris or plant growth encroaching on an adjacent sidewalk, and personal property or solid waste placed in the right-of-way under a court-ordered eviction that has not been removed within 24 hours.
County-authorized events, parades, or other approved uses of the right-of-way are exempted from the nuisance definition. 56 nuisance, it applies only in unincorporated Kitsap County; incorporated cities enforce their own sidewalk and encroachment codes. 050. 060(6).
Violations & Fines
A monetary penalty of $250 per day or portion of a day accrues once the violations hearing examiner affirms a notice of abatement, per § 9.56.040(5). The county can additionally remove the obstruction itself and bill the incidental costs, which attach as a lien on the property, and doubling the penalty is available for repeat violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I place a planter or sign in the strip next to the road?
My gutter drains straight onto the sidewalk, is that a violation?
After an eviction, how long can a tenant's belongings sit at the curb?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kitsap County
Compare Kitsap County to another location·View the Washington sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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