Vancouver, WA

Vancouver does not typically impose mandatory outdoor watering restrictions under normal conditions. The Pacific Northwest climate provides adequate rainfall for most of the year, but voluntary conservation is encouraged during dry summers.

Vancouver does not explicitly ban artificial turf in its municipal code, but its landscaping and water conservation standards strongly favor living plant material. Turf grass is capped at 40–50% of any landscaped area, and local installers describe city rules as ambiguous.

Vancouver's Land Use and Development Code (VMC Chapter 20.925) encourages but does not universally mandate native plants. For development projects, native and drought-adapted plants are required to make up the non-high-water-use portion of landscaped areas, and xeriscape with native species is an explicitly preferred alternative.

Vancouver property owners are responsible for trimming trees on their property and maintaining clearance over sidewalks and streets. The city manages public trees in rights-of-way.

Vancouver requires property owners to maintain yards and keep vegetation at a reasonable height. Overgrown weeds and grass that create nuisance conditions are subject to code compliance action.

Vancouver regulates tree removal on development sites through its land use code. Significant trees on private property may require mitigation when removed as part of a development project.

Washington's RCW 17.10 requires every property owner to eradicate Class A noxious weeds and control designated Class B and listed Class C weeds. The Clark County Noxious Weed Control Board maintains the county weed list and enforces control. Controlling noxious weeds on your property is your legal responsibility.

Rainwater harvesting is legal in Clark County and statewide. Washington's Department of Ecology exempts on-site rooftop rainwater collection from water-right permitting, provided the water is used on the property it is collected from and comes from a roof whose primary purpose is something other than catching rain. Indoor potable use

Clark County encourages backyard composting and runs free workshops, We Compost community food-waste hubs, and a Composter Recycler program. Optional every-other-week curbside yard-debris carts are offered by Waste Connections to single-family homes; curbside food-waste organics collection is limited to Vancouver and Ridgefield city limits.

Standard residential fences under 6 feet in Vancouver generally do not require a building permit. Fences over 6 feet, retaining walls, and masonry walls require permits.

Vancouver's Municipal Code Chapter 20.912 governs all fences, walls, and retaining walls citywide. Residential fences have tiered height limits by yard location; retaining walls under 4 feet are permit-exempt, while taller walls require a building permit.

Vancouver prohibits barbed wire, razor wire, and electrically charged fences as accessories to residential uses. In commercial and industrial zones these materials are only permitted as the top portion of a security fence, limited to 2 feet of wire angled inward atop a 6-foot fence.

Vancouver regulates fences under VMC 20.912. Front yard fences are limited to 4 feet and side/rear yard fences to 6 feet in residential zones. Corner lots have visibility triangle requirements.

Washington state does not have a mandatory fence cost-sharing law. In Vancouver, the property owner who builds a fence is responsible for its cost. Disputes are civil matters.

Clark County requires screening fences to use permanent materials. Allowed materials include wood, metal, brick, and masonry; chain link with slats is allowed only for the partial (F1) standard, and non-sight-obscuring chain link or wrought iron is permitted atop low retaining walls.

Clark County defines partial (F1) and full (F2) sight-obscuring fence standards, each six feet high. Fences may not obstruct sight distance at intersections, and private fences are prohibited within public rights-of-way without Public Works Director approval.

Washington requires pool barriers for residential and public pools through state-adopted building code provisions and Department of Health rules ensuring minimum 48-inch fencing.

Vancouver regulates leaf blowers and power lawn equipment under its public disturbance noise ordinance. No citywide ban exists, but equipment causing unreasonable noise is prohibited, and lawn/ground-maintenance tools are only exempt between 7 AM and 10 PM.

Vancouver regulates noise under VMC 7.05.010 (Public Disturbance). Unreasonably loud sounds that disturb the peace of a neighborhood are prohibited, with stricter enforcement during nighttime hours from 10 PM to 7 AM.

Vancouver limits construction noise in residential areas to standard daytime hours. Construction is generally permitted Monday through Friday 7 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 8 AM to 5 PM.

Vancouver specifically prohibits frequent, repetitive, or continuous animal sounds such as barking or howling that disturb neighbors. Animal control investigates complaints and may issue citations.

Frequent horn honking, and frequent engine noise from starting, operating, repairing or testing motor vehicles in a residential area that disturbs neighbors, are public disturbance noises in unincorporated Clark County. Amplified car stereos audible 50 feet away are also prohibited.

Using a musical instrument, sound amplifier or volume-controlled device that produces loud or raucous sound frequently, repetitively or continuously from a building or property, disturbing neighbors, is a public disturbance noise in unincorporated Clark County.

Clark County applies Washington's WAC 173-60 environmental noise limits. At a residential (Class A) property the maximum is 55 dBA from another residence, 57 dBA from commercial, and 60 dBA from industrial sources, reduced 10 dBA (to 45 dBA) between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Industrial noise reaching a Clark County residence is capped by WAC 173-60-040 at 60 dBA (45 dBA drop does not apply to industrial-zone receivers, but residences get the 10 dBA night cut). Persistent industrial noise disturbing neighbors is also a public disturbance under CCC 9.14.010.

Outdoor music, live bands and PA systems fall under Clark County's public disturbance noise rule: loud or raucous amplified sound from a property that frequently or continuously disturbs neighbors is prohibited, and all sound must stay within WAC 173-60 limits.

The county sets no aircraft-noise rule. Aircraft in flight are exempt from Washington's environmental noise limits and are regulated federally by the FAA. Clark County addresses airport compatibility through Title 40 land-use, not a decibel ordinance.

Vancouver regulates carports and detached accessory structures under VMC 20.902. Structures must be located behind the front elevation of the primary building and comply with setback, height, and lot-coverage standards for the applicable zone.

Vancouver allows site-built tiny homes as accessory dwelling units under VMC Chapter 20.810, which caps ADU floor area at 1,000 square feet and requires minimum floor area set by the Washington State Building Code. Tiny houses under 400 square feet must comply with IRC Appendix Q (Tiny Houses), which Washington adopted statewide effective February 2021 and is enforced by the Vancouver Building Division.

Under RCW 36.70A.681(1)(g) (Washington HB 1337), Vancouver may not charge impact fees on ADUs under 1,000 square feet, and any impact fees on ADUs at 1,000 square feet are capped at 50% of the fee charged on the primary dwelling. Standard permit fees and system development charges under VMC 14.04.235 still apply, and Clark County school impact fees are likewise subject to the HB 1337 cap.

Vancouver permits both attached and detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as limited uses on all single-family lots under Vancouver Municipal Code (VMC) Chapter 20.810. Permits are issued by Community and Economic Development through the city's ePlans portal. Washington HB 1337 (2023, codified at RCW 36.70A.681) requires Vancouver to allow up to two ADUs per residential lot and bars the city from imposing owner-occupancy or off-street parking conditions.

Vancouver permits long-term rental of ADUs without restriction. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are not authorized in residential zones under VMC Title 20 — the Land Use and Development Code does not list transient lodging as a permitted use in single-family or most low-density residential districts. RCW 36.70A.681 bars Vancouver from prohibiting long-term ADU rental but does not require the city to allow short-term rental in residential zones.

Vancouver does not require owner-occupancy of ADUs. Washington HB 1337, codified at RCW 36.70A.696, prohibits every Washington city and county subject to the Growth Management Act from imposing owner-occupancy on ADUs permitted on or after July 23, 2023. The City of Vancouver ADU information page confirms 'the property owner is not required to live on the property where an ADU is located.' No deed restriction or covenant is required.

Garage conversions in Vancouver require building permits and must meet building code standards for habitable rooms. Conversions to ADUs follow the city's ADU regulations and do not require replacement parking.

Vancouver allows up to two ADUs per parcel in all residential zones. ADUs may not exceed 800 sq ft or 50% of the main home's square footage, whichever is less. No additional parking is required.

Small sheds under 200 sq ft in Vancouver generally do not require a building permit. Larger structures require permits and must comply with zoning setbacks.

Vancouver adopts the International Fire Code (IFC) by reference under VMC Ch. 16.04. The IFC and Washington State's adopted Wildland-Urban Interface Code require vegetation management to reduce fire hazard near structures, enforced by the Vancouver Fire Marshal.

Vancouver prohibits most consumer fireworks within city limits. Only certain small ground-based fireworks may be allowed during a limited window around July 4th. The city has moved toward broader bans in recent years.

Vancouver prohibits open burning within city limits. Recreational fires in approved containers are allowed under conditions. The Clark County Clean Air Agency regulates air quality and may issue burn bans.

Fire pits in Vancouver must be in approved containers with proper clearance from structures. Fires must be attended and comply with Clark County Clean Air Agency burn ban status.

Washington's Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code took effect Oct. 29, 2023, and applies to new construction in mapped wildfire-hazard areas. Defensible space is set by hazard level: 30 feet for moderate, 50 feet for high and 100 feet for extreme. Clark County recommends a 30-foot clear zone around homes.

Washington law (RCW 43.44.110) requires smoke detection devices in all dwelling units. The owner is responsible for installation; tenants maintain them, including batteries. Alarms are required in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on each level. Carbon-monoxide alarms are also required.

Small backyard recreational fires are allowed without a permit if they burn only charcoal or seasoned firewood in a 3-by-2-foot lined pit, at least 25 feet from structures, and are attended by someone 16 or older. All backyard fires are prohibited during a burn ban.

Residential propane storage follows the Washington State Fire Code (WAC 51-54A, Chapter 61 / NFPA 58). Larger tanks must meet setback distances from buildings and lot lines, multiple installations must be 25 feet apart, and any single installation is capped at 2,000 gallons water capacity in congested areas.

Vancouver allows hens, ducks, geese, rabbits, and similar domestic animals in all zoning districts for hobby use with no minimum lot size. Roosters, turkeys, and peacocks are prohibited. Coops must be located in the rear yard.

Vancouver has no dedicated local ordinance banning wildlife feeding. Washington state law prohibits feeding large wild carnivores and, since May 2025, feeding deer, elk, and moose statewide. The city's general nuisance code may apply if feeding creates a public hazard.

Beekeeping is allowed in Vancouver. Washington state supports urban beekeeping and does not prohibit it. Hives should be managed to avoid nuisance to neighbors.

Exotic pet ownership in Vancouver is governed by Washington state law. The city excludes swine, roosters, and peacocks from residential areas. Dangerous wild animals are restricted under state law.

Vancouver requires dogs to be on a leash or under restraint when off the owner's property. Dogs at large may be impounded by Clark County Animal Protection and Control.

Vancouver does not have breed-specific legislation. Washington state does not ban any dog breeds. All dogs are evaluated based on individual behavior.

Livestock use is allowed in all zoning districts in unincorporated Clark County. New urban-area livestock structures for large animals must sit 20 feet from all property lines, and urban livestock must follow best-management practices to control odor, noise, and manure.

Clark County has no cat leash law and no fixed limit on the number of cats. Cats are covered by general nuisance, licensing, and cruelty rules, and the county sponsors a community-cat (trap-neuter-return) program for feral colonies.

Clark County reaches hoarding through its cruelty and minimum-care rules: it is unlawful to neglect or fail to provide adequate food, water, shelter, space, and veterinary care to any animal in your custody. Over-limit dog counts also trigger kennel licensing.

Clark County caps dogs through its kennel definition: keeping more than five adult dogs inside the urban growth boundary, or more than nine outside it, makes a property a "kennel" requiring proper licensing and zoning. There is no comparable numeric cap on cats.

Vancouver requires a building permit for most residential swimming pools and spas. Small prefabricated above-ground pools with walls no more than 24 inches high and capacity under 5,000 gallons are exempt. Pool barrier fences always require a permit regardless of height.

Vancouver requires all residential swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates. This follows the International Residential Code adopted by Washington state.

Above-ground pools in Vancouver must meet the same barrier requirements as in-ground pools. Pools with walls at least 48 inches high with lockable access may satisfy the barrier requirement.

Vancouver requires pools to meet Washington State Building Code safety standards including barriers, anti-entrapment drain covers, and electrical grounding. Building permits and inspections are required.

Residential hot tubs and spas are regulated under the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and IRC adopted in Clark County Code 14.01.010. Many require electrical and building permits, and spas without a locking safety cover must be enclosed by a compliant pool barrier.

Vancouver requires a permit and business license for all short-term rentals (stays under 30 days). Rentals must comply with state and local health, safety, and building codes, which govern maximum occupancy. A citywide cap of 870 STR permits is in effect under VMC Chapter 20.835.

Vancouver Municipal Code Chapter 20.835 (Short-Term Rentals), adopted by the City Council on December 18, 2023, requires every STR permit applicant to submit proof of current, valid liability insurance covering the rental in accordance with RCW 64.37.050. State law sets the floor at one million dollars in primary liability coverage, or equivalent coverage provided through a hosting platform, before any STR transaction may occur in Washington.

Vancouver STR operators must collect and remit Washington state lodging tax and any applicable local taxes. The $250 STR permit fee is a one-time charge. Business license fees also apply annually.

Vancouver adopted an STR ordinance in December 2023 requiring all short-term rental operators to obtain a city business license and a $250 one-time STR permit. STRs are defined as residential properties available for stays under 30 days.

Vancouver STR guests must comply with the city's noise ordinance and Good Neighbor Guidelines. Quiet hours and respectful behavior are expected. Operators must inform guests of noise rules.

STR guests in Vancouver must comply with city parking rules. Operators should provide parking instructions in their Good Neighbor Guidelines information for guests.

There is no county STR registry for unincorporated Clark County. Hosts must instead register with the Washington Department of Revenue for a business/tax account. A bed-and-breakfast is 'registered' through the CCC 40.260.050 land-use application, not a rental registry.

Whole-home short-term rentals are not restricted to a primary residence in unincorporated Clark County. However, a bed-and-breakfast under CCC 40.260.050 must be the operator's owned, primary-residence home that has been used as a residence for at least five years before applying.

Unincorporated Clark County sets no annual cap on the number of nights a short-term rental may operate. There is no rented-nights limit for vacation rentals or for a bed-and-breakfast under CCC 40.260.050; the B&B is a year-round permitted use once approved.

Unincorporated Clark County does not require a host to be present at a short-term rental. For a bed-and-breakfast, the operator must live on site, since a B&B must be accessory to a household residing at the property and be the operator's primary residence (CCC 40.260.050).

Vancouver prohibits leaving any vehicle parked on a public street for more than 24 consecutive hours. Officers attach a notification sticker; if the vehicle is not moved within 24 hours of the sticker, it may be towed to impound.

Vancouver requires vehicles to be parked on improved surfaces. Parking on lawns or unpaved areas is prohibited. Driveways must not be blocked and vehicles must not extend over sidewalks.

Vancouver allows residents to park in front of their property without a 24-hour movement requirement, provided vehicles are registered, licensed, operational, and legally parked. Other street parking is subject to time limits.

Vancouver regulates storage of recreational vehicles on residential properties. RVs and boats should be stored on driveways or in rear/side yards and must not obstruct sidewalks or public rights-of-way.

Vancouver restricts parking of large commercial vehicles in residential areas. Heavy trucks and equipment may not be stored on residential streets or properties visible from the street.

Clark County Code does not set a dedicated residential EV-charger parking ordinance; EV chargers are treated as ordinary electrical work needing a state electrical permit. New development parking is governed by Title 40, and Washington's building code (WAC 51-50) sets statewide EV-ready requirements.

In unincorporated Clark County, three or more inoperable vehicles in a rural yard, or any inoperable vehicle in an urban yard, that sit 30+ days visible from the road are a public nuisance. Statewide, a certified junk vehicle can be inspected and disposed of under RCW 46.55.230.

Clark County restricts oversized vehicles chiefly through its nuisance code: semi-trucks and truck tractors in urban residential front yards are prohibited, RVs may not be parked on county roads without a permit, and front-yard RV parking on unpaved surfaces is a nuisance.

Clark County requires off-street truck loading spaces for larger commercial and institutional buildings. Commercial and industrial buildings 5,000+ square feet need one or more berths; loading areas must be separated from parking and may not project into the public right-of-way.

Clark County Code does not authorize residents to paint or mark public curbs; official curb markings and signage are county functions. The code does prohibit re-parking on the same curb face within a block to evade posted time limits, with impoundment as a remedy.

Home businesses in Vancouver must not generate customer traffic beyond normal residential levels. Retail sales from the home and frequent client visits are restricted.

Home occupations in Vancouver generally may not display exterior business signage. The residential character must be maintained.

Vancouver permits home occupations in residential zones under VMC 20.860. The business must be secondary to residential use and not change the character of the neighborhood.

Selling home-baked goods requires a Washington State Department of Agriculture cottage food permit under RCW Chapter 69.22, not a Clark County permit. Only non-hazardous foods (baked goods, candies, jams) sold directly to the consumer are allowed, with gross sales capped at $35,000 per year.

Family home child care in Washington is licensed by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families under Chapter 110-300 WAC, not Clark County. The department issues family home licenses for up to 12 children, with capacity set by experience, space, and staffing.

Clark County classifies home businesses as Exempt, Minor, or Major. Exempt businesses need no county review; Minor businesses need a Type I permit and Major businesses a Type II permit, based on employees, customers, vehicles, and accessory-structure use.

Vancouver does not require a permit for residential garage sales and does not cap the number of sales per year. The key restriction is on signage: garage sale signs may not be posted at a given address for more than 7 calendar days total in any one calendar year.

Vancouver requires residents to place garbage and recycling carts at the curb no earlier than 12 hours before collection and remove them within 12 hours after pickup. Multi-family properties must screen outdoor bin areas from public view with a sight-obscuring fence, wall, or hedge.

Vancouver's VMC Chapter 17.32 declares unfit dwellings, blighted structures, and hazardous premises to be public nuisances. The city may order repair, vacation, or demolition and recover abatement costs; enforcement is complaint-driven through Code Compliance.

Vancouver property owners and occupants must keep public sidewalks abutting their property free of snow, ice, and other obstructions under VMC § 11.30.030. Failure to clear a slippery or obstructed sidewalk is a code violation enforceable by the city.

Vancouver requires all vacant lots and premises to be maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition. Vegetation must not exceed 12 inches in height; accumulated debris, standing water, and unsafe conditions are prohibited under the city's Minimum Property Maintenance Code.

Washington law RCW 17.10.140 requires every Clark County property owner to eradicate Class A noxious weeds and control designated Class B and C weeds. The county nuisance code also targets vegetation that harbors debris or creates hazards.

Vancouver sets building setbacks in its Land Use and Development Code. Low-density residential zones (R-2 through R-9) require structures to maintain minimum front, rear, and side yard setbacks per Table 20.410.050-1, enforced through the building permit process.

Vancouver's low-density residential zones (R-2 through R-9) set maximum lot coverage and minimum setbacks in VMC 20.410.050. Standard single-family coverage is 40%; infill standards under VMC 20.920 allow increases up to 60% for qualifying projects.

In Clark County's rural residential districts (R-20, R-10, R-5), the maximum building height for residential buildings is 35 feet, per Table 40.210.020-3 of the Unified Development Code. Urban zones and scenic-review areas may set different limits.

Vancouver requires all outdoor lighting to be shielded and directed to prevent glare beyond parcel boundaries. Fixtures near low-density residential zones must be at or below 15 feet and aimed away from neighboring homes. Maximum vertical surface illumination is 3 footcandles in dark surroundings and 5 in light surroundings.

Vancouver has no dedicated dark-sky ordinance. Outdoor lighting standards are embedded in site-development and parking area regulations that prohibit glare beyond parcel boundaries and require lighting directed away from residential zones.

Vancouver requires a Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for most land-disturbing projects. Strict seasonal soil-exposure windows apply: two days maximum from October through April, seven days maximum from May through September.

Vancouver requires stormwater management plans for projects disturbing 7,000 sq ft or more of land, or creating 2,000 sq ft or more of new impervious surface. Natural drainage patterns must be preserved and discharges maintained at their natural locations.

Vancouver Municipal Code Chapter 14.25 (Stormwater Control) requires every new development and redevelopment project to comply with the city's Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit issued by the Department of Ecology and adopts the 2019 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington by reference. Construction stormwater pollution prevention plans are required under VMC Chapter 14.24 for any project disturbing one acre or more.

Parts of Vancouver lie within FEMA-designated flood zones along the Columbia River, Burnt Bridge Creek, and other waterways. Flood insurance is required for properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas.

Washington's Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58) requires Shoreline Substantial Development Permits for most construction within 200 feet of marine and freshwater shorelines statewide.

Vancouver's Heritage Tree program designates trees of exceptional size, beauty, rarity, or historical significance. Removal of any heritage tree requires Urban Forestry Commission approval. Unauthorized removal is a misdemeanor subject to up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, and development permits are withheld until violations are cured.

Vancouver requires a minimum of 30 tree units per acre on development sites under VMC Chapter 20.770. Removed trees must be replaced with approved species; replacement plans are required. Unauthorized tree removal carries civil penalties up to $500 per tree.

Clark County regulates tree removal mainly through the state Forest Practices Act (RCW 76.09) and CCC 40.260.080, plus critical-area review near wetlands, streams, and habitat. A commercial forest-practice cut approved by DNR triggers a six-year development moratorium on the parcel. Development-required trees must also be protected during construction.

Vancouver requires all residential rental property owners to register units annually under VMC Chapter 5.08, effective January 1, 2026. The fee is $30 per unit per year. Registration must be renewed by January 1 each year.

For nonpayment of rent, a Washington landlord must serve a 14-day pay-or-vacate notice in the form set by RCW 59.18.057 before filing an unlawful detainer under RCW 59.12.030. Lease-violation terminations require a 10-day cure notice, and waste, nuisance, or unlawful activity requires only 3 days. Most evictions also require just cause under RCW 59.18.650.

RCW 59.18.060 requires Washington landlords to keep rentals 'fit for human habitation' — structurally sound, weathertight, with working plumbing, heat, hot water, electrical systems, pest control, and reasonable locks. After written notice, RCW 59.18.070 sets repair deadlines: 24 hours for lost heat, water, or electricity, 72 hours for major fixtures, 10 days otherwise.

Washington RCW 59.18.650 requires landlords to have one of 16 enumerated lawful causes to terminate most residential tenancies statewide.

RCW 59.18.150 requires a Washington landlord to give at least two days' written notice before entering to inspect, repair, or maintain the unit, and at least one day's notice to show it to prospective tenants or buyers. Entry must be at reasonable times; no advance notice is required only in a genuine emergency.

Under RCW 59.18.170, a Washington landlord may not charge any late fee on rent paid within five days of its due date; a fee may begin only once rent is more than five days past due. The statute sets no specific dollar cap, though some cities and counties impose stricter local limits.

Under RCW 59.18.200, a Washington tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy with at least 20 days' written notice. A landlord, however, cannot end a periodic tenancy at will: RCW 59.18.650 requires 'just cause,' and most landlord-driven reasons (owner move-in, sale, demolition) demand 60 to 120 days' written notice.

Washington bars cities from passing local rent control under RCW 35.21.830, and that preemption still stands. But in 2025 the state enacted its first statewide rent-increase cap. Under HB 1217, a landlord may not raise rent in any 12-month period by more than 7% plus CPI or 10%, whichever is less, and may not raise it at all in the first year.

Under RCW 59.18.140, a Washington landlord must give at least 90 days' prior written notice before raising rent (30 days for income-based subsidized housing). The 2025 Rent Stabilization Act (HB 1217) also caps annual increases statewide and bars any increase during the first 12 months of a tenancy.

Washington sets no dollar cap on residential security deposits, but it controls how they are collected and returned. A landlord may collect a deposit only with a written rental agreement and a written move-in checklist describing the unit's condition. After the tenancy ends, the landlord has 30 days to refund the deposit with an itemized statement of deductions.

Washington's general adverse possession period is 10 years under RCW 4.16.020, requiring possession that is actual, open and notorious, exclusive, hostile, and continuous. A shorter 7-year period applies under RCW 7.28.070 when the occupant holds under good-faith color of title and pays all taxes legally assessed on the land for those seven years.

Vancouver prohibits garage sale signs posted for more than 7 calendar days per year. Signs placed in the public right-of-way must comply with VMC 20.960.090 portable-sign standards and must be removed within 24 hours after the sale ends.

Vancouver's sign code (VMC Chapter 20.960) regulates permanent and temporary commercial signage but does not regulate residential holiday decorations such as lights, wreaths, and seasonal displays. No permit is required for typical holiday displays on private residential property.

Clark County's sign code treats political and other noncommercial messages as on-premises signs. Any sign displaying a noncommercial (including political) message is allowed wherever an on-premises sign is permitted. Signs may not be placed in the county right-of-way without a street use permit and cannot exceed 35 feet in height.

Vancouver mandates garbage and recycling service for all occupied residential properties under VMC Chapter 6.12. Residents must set carts within 5 feet of the curb no more than 12 hours before pickup and retrieve them within 12 hours after collection.

Vancouver requires residents to place garbage carts and recycling bins within five feet of the curb on each collection day. Carts must be ready by 6 a.m. on collection day. Alley-served properties must place carts within five feet of the alley edge. Waste Connections of Washington is the city's

Vancouver residents with active garbage service receive one free curbside bulky item pickup per calendar year for up to five items under 100 lbs each. Additional pickups are available for a fee. Appliances, furniture, tires, and yard equipment are accepted. Items must be placed within 100 feet of the curb.

Curbside recycling is available to all Clark County residents and is mandatory in some cities and urban growth areas, optional elsewhere. Carts take metal cans, paper, cardboard, cartons, and plastic bottles, jugs and tubs; glass, plastic bags, and batteries are excluded.

Dumping trash on public or private land in Clark County is prohibited by CCC Chapter 9.28 littering and state law RCW 70A.200.060. Small litter is a civil infraction; over one cubic foot is a misdemeanor, and violators pay cleanup restitution up to four times the actual cost.

Vancouver does not require a permit for residential garage sales. Sales conducted on the owner's property lasting no more than 3 days and held no more than twice per calendar year are exempt from the temporary-use permit process under VMC 20.885.

Vancouver does not impose an annual frequency limit on garage sales. Under VMC 20.885.020, garage and yard sales lasting no more than two consecutive days are exempt from temporary-use permits. Garage sale signage is capped at 7 calendar days of posting per calendar year.

Vancouver classifies garage and yard sales as temporary uses under VMC Chapter 20.885, permitting each event for no longer than two consecutive days. No special permit is required. Signage advertising the sale may not be posted more than seven calendar days total in a calendar year.

Vancouver requires every peddler, solicitor, and canvasser to obtain a city permit and license before conducting door-to-door sales or service solicitation. Licenses are subject to investigation, expiration, and revocation for fraud or misconduct.

Washington's Commercial Telephone Solicitation Act (RCW 19.158) and Consumer Protection Act govern unwanted commercial solicitation. State law preempts certain telephone solicitation rules and provides statewide remedies against deceptive practices.

Vancouver regulates mobile food vendors through VMC Chapter 5.34 and a city food vendor special license. Vendors in the public right-of-way require a Street Use Permit; Esther Short Park is restricted to city-permitted special events only.

Washington WAC 246-215 enforced under RCW 43.20 establishes the statewide retail food code requiring mobile food units including food trucks to obtain permits from local health jurisdictions and meet uniform sanitation standards.

Vancouver city parks are open from 5 AM to 10 PM every day. Under VMC § 15.04.150, it is unlawful to enter or remain in any park between 10 PM and 5 AM unless a special use permit has been granted by the Parks Director.

Washington does not impose a statewide juvenile curfew; cities may enact local curfews under general police powers, subject to constitutional limits.

Vancouver does not regulate residential inflatable holiday decorations by size, type, or theme. Continuously running blower motors are subject to VMC 7.05.010 (public disturbance), the sign code at VMC Chapter 20.960 reaches only inflatables bearing commercial messaging, and outdoor electrical connections require GFCI protection under the National Electrical Code enforced by Washington L&I.

Vancouver allows residential lawn ornaments and yard art without permits provided they do not exceed the 8-foot residential accessory-structure height standard, do not encroach into the public right-of-way, and do not carry commercial messaging governed by VMC Chapter 20.960. Right-of-way encroachment is prohibited under VMC Title 11 (Streets and Sidewalks); HOA architectural review still applies privately.

Vancouver has no ordinance restricting when residents may install or remove residential holiday lights. The Public Disturbance rule at VMC 7.05.010 applies to amplified music accompanying displays, the sign code at VMC Chapter 20.960 covers only displays carrying commercial messaging, and HOAs typically set binding rules privately. Most residential lighting displays operate freely without a city permit.

Vancouver adopts the International Fire Code through VMC Chapter 16.04. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas containers larger than 1 pound water capacity on combustible balconies of buildings containing three or more dwelling units when within 10 feet of combustible construction. Single-family backyards are not restricted by VMC. Wood and charcoal burning may be limited during Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) burn bans — Clark County is in SWCAA's jurisdiction, not Puget Sound's.

Backyard wood and pellet smokers in Vancouver single-family yards are permitted but subject to Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) opacity and burn-ban rules. Clark County is in the SWCAA jurisdiction. Multi-family balconies are governed by the Vancouver Fire Code at VMC 16.04 (IFC 308.1.4) and may not host wood-fired smokers within 10 feet of combustible construction.

Built-in outdoor kitchens in Vancouver require building permits from Community and Economic Development when they include new gas piping, plumbing, electrical, or a structural roof. The city adopts the Washington State Building Code (WAC 51-50 / 51-51) through VMC. Detached accessory structures of 120 square feet or less outside environmentally sensitive areas are exempt from a building permit but must still meet zoning standards.

Washington's Liquor and Cannabis Board licenses cannabis retailers and imposes statewide 1,000-foot buffers from schools and other sensitive uses, which local governments may reduce but not eliminate.

Washington uniquely prohibits recreational home cultivation of cannabis statewide, with cultivation only permitted by licensed producers and qualifying medical patients.

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.

Washington combines federal FAA airspace preemption with state criminal statutes prohibiting drone voyeurism, harassment, and interference with first responders that apply uniformly statewide.

Washington RCW 49.46 establishes a state minimum wage with annual CPI adjustments and permits cities to set higher local minimum wages, unlike many preemption states.

Washington RCW 49.46.200 mandates paid sick leave for nearly all employees, and RCW 50A.04 provides paid family and medical leave funded by payroll premiums.

Washington has no statewide predictable scheduling law and does not preempt local rules, allowing cities like Seattle to enforce secure scheduling ordinances.

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 has two regimes. Communities created on or after July 1, 2018 fall under WUCIOA (RCW 64.90), whose lien carries a 6-month super-priority over first mortgages and can be foreclosed like a mortgage. Older associations use the Homeowners' Associations Act (RCW 64.38), whose lien may be foreclosed only after strict notice and dollar thresholds.

Washington requires HOA board meetings to be open to owners and gives owners broad record-access rights. WUCIOA communities follow RCW 64.90.445 (open meetings) and RCW 64.90.495 (records); older associations follow RCW 64.38.035 and 64.38.045. As of January 1, 2026, the WUCIOA open-meetings rule (RCW 64.90.445) applies to all Washington community associations.

Washington HOAs may adopt and enforce rules and architectural standards and enforce the recorded declaration. Under WUCIOA, RCW 64.90.405 authorizes rule adoption and enforcement, while RCW 64.90.510 fixes outer limits the rules cannot cross (flags, solar, signs). Older HOAs draw the same rulemaking power from RCW 64.38.020.

Both Washington regimes let HOAs impose reasonable fines, but only after notice and an opportunity to be heard and only under a fine schedule already adopted by the board and furnished to owners. WUCIOA communities use RCW 64.90.405; older associations use RCW 64.38.020. Neither statute sets a dollar cap on fines.

Washington statutes override HOA covenants that ban solar panels, the U.S. or state flag, or political signs. WUCIOA RCW 64.90.510 protects all three for newer communities; older HOAs are covered by RCW 64.38.055 (solar), 64.38.033 (U.S. flag), and 64.38.034 (political yard signs). HOAs may set reasonable time, place, and manner rules but cannot prohibit outright.

Washington has no state E-Verify mandate, and RCW 49.60 prohibits employment discrimination based on national origin or immigration-related characteristics statewide.

Washington's Keep Washington Working Act under RCW 10.93.160 limits state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, establishing statewide sanctuary protections.

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.

Washington RCW 70A.530 bans single-use plastic carryout bags statewide and requires retailers to charge a pass-through fee for compliant paper or reusable bags.

Washington RCW 70A.245 bans expanded polystyrene foam food service containers, packing peanuts, and coolers in phases starting June 2024 to combat plastic pollution.

Washington RCW 70A.550 limits single-use food service ware including plastic straws and utensils to upon-request distribution at restaurants and food service businesses.

Washington RCW 64.38.055 voids homeowner association covenants prohibiting solar panel installation on owner property statewide, while permitting only reasonable placement rules that do not significantly impair efficiency or increase cost.

Washington RCW 64.38.055 and RCW 64.90.510 prevent HOAs and condominium associations from prohibiting solar panels, while RCW 35.21.700 limits local government ability to ban solar collectors on residential property.

Washington RCW 26.28.080 sets the minimum age for purchasing tobacco and vapor products at 21, aligning with federal Tobacco 21 standards statewide.

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.

Washington RCW 70.345 requires licensing for vapor product retailers, distributors, and delivery sellers, with state Department of Revenue oversight and tax collection.