All businesses operating in Kent are required to obtain a City Business License. You can learn more about business licenses, get applications and the current fee schedule at KentWA.gov.

Visit our Jobs page – Jobs.KentWA.gov – to see what positions are available, subscribe to job alerts and submit your resume online.  

Residents can make a request on KentWorks. A transportation engineer will contact you and evaluate the location. At some locations, supplemental safety features (flashing lights, extra signs, etc.) may be necessary before a crosswalk can be installed. These locations will be prioritized by city staff. As funding becomes available, high-priority locations will be addressed first.

Yes. According to state law (RCW 46.61.235), drivers must stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk regardless of whether it is marked or unmarked.

The Kent City Council adopted a policy that determines where crosswalk markings will be installed and maintained. The policy is based on state law, research studies, and public input. 

In general:

• Crosswalks are marked at traffic signals, except where not appropriate for traffic flow.
• Crosswalks are marked at stop signs where needed to direct pedestrians for traffic flow or safety reasons.
• At locations without a traffic signal, stop sign, or yield sign, city staff considers the number of vehicles, speed limit, number of lanes, and pedestrian volume to determine whether a crosswalk will be marked.
• Within the Downtown Area, crosswalks are marked at intersections to encourage pedestrian activity.
• On school walk routes, crosswalks are marked to guide students.
• Crosswalks are marked at designated school crossings.

The Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month, except for December when they meet on the second Tuesday of the month. All meetings except the first Tuesday in August (National Night Out) and the first Tuesday in November (Election Day) begin at 7 p.m. Those meetings begin at 5 p.m. 

Yes, Kent City Council meetings are streamed live on YouTube at YouTube.com/KentTV21. The meetings are also recorded and posted to our website the day following the meeting. You can access past meetings online here.

You can email the full Council at CityCouncil@KentWA.gov or call them at 253-856-5712.

You can get more information about U.S. citizenship from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website. 

You can get more information about applying for a U.S. passport from the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs. 

Yes, cats and dogs are required to be licensed in the City of Kent. Visit KentPetLicense.com to learn more about licensing your pet, including the benefits of having a pet license, the fee schedule, and how your license fees are used to care for animals in the community. 

We have a very active neighborhood program, which provides a direct connection between Kent neighborhoods and City government. Learn more about the program at KentNeighborhoodProgram.com or contact Maria Tizoc at MTizoc@KentWA.gov. 

The City has a number of great volunteer opportunities available. Here are a few options.

 Adopt-A-Street and Adopt-A-Spot

• Boards and Commission
• Senior Activity Center Volunteer Opportunities
• VIPS: Volunteers in Police Service
• Kent4Health Volunteer Opportunities
• TeamUp2CleanUp 

Learn more about them here. 

The Kent School District and other school districts serving Kent students typically post their schedules, including closures and delays, on their websites and social media platforms. Here are links to several local school districts:

Kent School District

Federal Way Public Schools

Auburn School District

Renton School District

Find birth and death certificates at the King County Vital Statistics webpage.

Find marriage certificates at the King County Recorder's Office.

In August 2019, the Kent City Council passed a bag ordinance that regulates which checkout bags retailers can give to customers. As of March 1, 2020, Kent retailers must do the following at checkout:

• No longer provide thin plastic bags

• Charge customers 8¢ for each thick plastic or paper bag they request

• Provide only bags made of at least 40% post-consumer recycled material

• Display the bag charge on customer receipts

• Not charge customers with WIC, TANF, SNAP, or FAP benefits when they request thick plastic or paper bags

Retailers will keep all collected fees but continue to provide other bags for free. These no-cost bags include plastic bags for produce, bulk products, and dry cleaning, as well as paper bags for baked goods, prescriptions, and hardware.

Yes. Don’t dig down more than a few inches and you must refill the hole/replace the divot.

Yes, personal grills are allowed. Where permanent grills are installed, we prefer those are used but don’t mandate it. Be considerate of other park users.

It's $5 a day to use. An annual pass is $50. There's no senior discount. Use the daily machine on site or buy a pass at Kent Commons.

Yes, with an approved permit, insurance and fee. Contact Kent Commons.

Maybe. Requires an approved permit, insurance and fee. Contact Kent Commons.

Yes, approved, privately purchased plaques can be installed. Contact Parks Planning & Development for details. 

Depending on urgency call 911 or KPD non-emergency line at 253-852-2121, it’s a law enforcement issue. Parks Maintenance coordinates with KPD on these sites but does not do sweeps or enforce the law, just site clean-up.

If it’s in a city park or the Green River or Interurban Trail, report at MyKentParks.com, KentWorks, or to Parks Maintenance. If it's the Soos Creek Trail, call King County Parks.

You can also download our KentWorks app available in the app store. You can report non emergency issues and check the status of your requests.

Contact Public Works Engineering Construction division at 253-856-5500.

If it’s in a city park or the Green River or Interurban Trail, report at MyKentParks.com, KentWorks, or to Parks Maintenance. If Soos Creek Trail, call King County Parks.

You can also download our KentWorks app available in the app store. Here you can report non emergency issues and check the status of your requests.

Small domesticated animals include

• Dogs
• Cats
• Rabbits
• Vietnamese, Chinese, or Asian potbelly pigs (technically: Sus scrofa domesticus)
• Other animals of similar size and character

You may keep up to three if your lot is at least 5,000 square feet. Domesticated fowl are counted separately from other small animals. You can keep one additional domesticated fowl for every additional 1,000 square feet of lot area, over the 5,000. The coop needs to be kept 10 feet from your property line. 

Roosters are not regulated separately by code, but they're best avoided. If your neighbors can hear them crow, you are committing a violation of the city’s noise ordinance. 

No wild or exotic animals are allowed in Kent, including:

• Monkeys and other non-human primates
• Venomous snakes
• Lions
• Tigers
• Bears
• Wolves, coyotes or hybrids
• Crocodiles
• Snapping turtles

Here’s a complete list of what you can't have

Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) recommends filing their on-line animal complaint form. Or you can call RASKC at 206-296-7387 (PETS), extension "6".

Other ways to contact RASKC:

• Email: pets@kingcounty.gov.
• Mail: Regional Animal Services of King County, 21615 64th Ave. S, Kent, WA 98032
• Fax the form: 206-205-8043

SEPA stands for the State Environmental Policy Act. This act was adopted by the state in 1971 and requires cities like Kent to evaluate the environmental impacts of proposed development. Certain minor developments such as new single family residences are normally exempt from SEPA, while major development proposals such as new warehouses must undergo an environmental analysis and comply with procedural requirements of SEPA. 

The process begins with an environmental checklist which is submitted with a development permit application. The checklist is an evaluation of the proposal's environmental impacts to wildlife, soils, land use, transportation, housing, and other environmental factors. Based on the extent of these impacts, a decision is made to either prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) or issue a determination of nonsignificance (DNS). If measures are required to mitigate the impacts, an MDNS is issued. Local codes require the environmental determination to be posted on the site prior to the issuance of the development plan. 

The public may make comments on SEPA determinations within 14 days following the posting of the notice. In addition, SEPA determinations may be appealed within 10 days following the end of the comment period.   

For more information on SEPA and the City's procedures regarding environmental evaluations, please call Planning Services at 253-856-5454.

Come to the Permit Center on the first floor of the Centennial building located at 400 West Gowe Street, in downtown Kent. Please note, most over-the-counter permits can be done online. If you have any questions, the Permit Center can be reached at: 253-856-5300.

We encourage you to combine all permit applications onto one application form. There is no additional cost for this, and it will simplify the plan review process. If you choose to separate the mechanical or plumbing from the building permit, you will need to provide  much of the information a second time, as well as separate plans. A separate mechanical or plumbing plan review fee is also charged. Many permits require analysis of the building. Combining the plan review allows the same plans examiner to review the applications and perform the calculations one time. This will allow the contractor to use one permit number when calling in inspections.

The State Department of Labor and Industries handles all electrical permits and inspections for the City of Kent. You many contact Labor and Industries or call 206-835-1000.

The City of Kent does not have its own building code. The City has adopted the 2018 International Building Code, the 2018 International Residential Code and the Washington State Amendments.

Permit fees are charges based on the work proposed according to adopted fee schedules. Contact the Permit Center at 253-856-5300 for a fee estimate.

A property owner may perform work on their own property or use their own employees to perform work. This does not apply to tenants who lease the property they occupy. A permit is required to work on your own property.

Building plans have been retained in Planning Services for some buildings built after 1990. There may be plans before 1990, but there are fewer of these. You may have copies made at a nominal cost to you. Due to space constraints, not all project plans are retained after completion of a project. We are working toward electronic applications and will have a greater ability to store project plans in the future.

Complete an Online Public Records Request to obtain records or call the City Clerk at 253-856-5725.

Work on a project may not legally begin before a permit is obtained and on the work site. Some clean-up and clearing may begin before the building permit is issued.

You can report the following crimes online: 

• Identity Theft/Fraud
• Lost Property
• Theft
• Hit and Run
• Theft from Vehicle
• Vehicle Tamperinghttps://admin.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAKENT/segments
• Vandalism 

Find more information on how to file a police report online.

Visit our Photo Enforcement page for a complete list of options.  

No. If a crime took place outside of the City of Kent Police Department's jurisdiction, please call the police department for that city or use the online reporting links for nearby cities listed below.

• Auburn
• Covington   
• Des Moines
• Federal Way
• King County Sheriff's Office
• Renton

A vehicle is considered abandoned if it is parked on the roadway and unmoved for a period of time or is inoperable and incapable of moving.

• Parking complaints and junk or abandoned vehicles can be reported to the Kent Police Department non-emergency number at 253-852-2121 or our online reporting system.
• Learn more at our Code Enforcement Page.

Abandoned vehicles will be tagged with an Abandoned Warning Notice. The owner is given a grace period to move the vehicle (typically 24-72 hours). Parking Enforcement action may occur if the vehicle has not been moved.

Check our Jail Inmate Lookup Service (JILS) or call 253-856-5960. The City of Kent Corrections Facility (Kent City jail) is located at 1230 S Central.

Find jail inmate rosters to surrounding areas.

Call Dispatch, 253-852-2121, to request a Civil Standby. An officer will stand by to keep the peace but not intervene or determine ownership of property if there is a dispute.

Please note that crimes in progress will take priority over a civil standby and you may be required to wait for an available officer.

A CPL (Concealed Pistol License) is sometimes called a gun permit, CWP (concealed weapon permit) or CCW (concealed carry weapon permit). Find out how to get a Concealed Pistol License.

Find more info on CPLs on the WA Department of Licensing website. 

We take fingerprinting appointments for CPLs.

Provide as many details as possible:

• Incident or type of crime
• Date and time it occurred
• Location (address) of the incident
• Officer's name
• Date and time you reported it

Call the Utilities Underground Location Center at 811 or 1-800-424-555 for free location and marking of utility lines.  Call at least 2 days before you start working.  You are responsible for any utilities that could be damaged during work on your property, so always call ahead and work carefully.

Our phone numbers are 253-856-5500 for Engineering and 253-856-5600 for Operations.

Fax lines are available at 253-856-6500 for Engineering and 253-856-6600 for Operations.

Our Engineering offices are on the second floor of the Centennial Center, 400 West Gowe Street.

Operations facilities are at 5821 South 240th Street.

You can find your property on the City's Zoning Districts Map. All private property in the City is zoned, and the restrictions on development vary from one zone to another.

 If you need assistance or would like to confirm the zoning, please give us a call at 253-856-5302 and we will be happy to assist you. When you call, please be able to identify the property by a specific address, parcel number or nearby intersection.

Visit the King County Property Research webpage. It allows you to view your property tax information, see an outline map of your property, and will provide you with general parcel information.

You should only use this tool for informational purposes only. You can verify this information through the City of Kent Planning Services Division.

In order to determine the precise location of your property lines, the services of a licensed professional land surveyor are required. Several surveyors are located in Kent who are available for hire.

To get a more general idea of where your property lines are located, begin by obtaining a copy of the map of your subdivision or the King County Assessor’s map of your property. These maps are available in the Kent Permit Center, located at 400 W Gowe in downtown Kent. County assessor’s maps are available on-line.  To search for your property, you will need the county parcel number, which can be found by entering your property address at the county’s parcel viewer page.   Using these maps, try to locate your property pins – stakes or iron rods inserted into the ground at each corner of your property (you may need to use a metal detector to find them). Stringing a line between those pins will give you a fairly accurate idea of where your property lines are located. 

This information may be useful in addressing disputes regarding responsibility for trees, fences or retaining walls along or near property lines.

The City has been working with the Federal Railroad Administration and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway for many years to try to qualify for a “Quiet Zone” for the downtown Kent area. In the summer of 2010, a Diagnostic Assessment Team was assembled including representatives from the City, the Utilities and Transportation Commission, BNSF Railway, and the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR).  This team conducted site visits and made recommendations at each of the downtown Kent railroad crossings that are included in the City’s proposed Railroad Quiet Zone. The Diagnostic Team conducted site visits and made recommendations for each railroad grade crossing that would allow Railroad Quiet Zones to be established on the BNSF and UP railroad mainline tracks through the City of Kent, effectively eliminating the routine sounding of locomotive horns within the City.

The City is currently assessing a variety of engineering solutions for the crossings at each of the two railroad lines.  This currently unfunded project is estimated to cost between $1 million - $3 million. This estimate only includes construction costs.  It does not include costs for engineering, design, inspection, permitting, contingencies, or ongoing maintenance. 

• Allows traffic to flow more evenly
• Disperses traffic so there are fewer vehicles on each street
• Allows better access for emergency vehicles

The Transportation Master Plan (TMP) is a long-range plan that addresses the transportation needs of the City’s residents and business community for the next 20 years.

The TMP identifies potential solutions (such as improving safety and easing congestion through road widening, improving connectivity, or providing additional walking and biking routes), prioritizes solutions to improve the transportation system, and suggests a possible funding plan to make sure improvements happen over time.

Many people believe that installing stop signs on all approaches to an intersection will result in fewer accidents. Effects of unwarranted stop signs on driver behavior and safety are difficult to prove. Also, there is no real evidence to indicate that stop signs decrease the overall speed of traffic. Impatient drivers view the additional delay caused by unwarranted STOP signs as “lost time” to be made up by driving at higher speeds between stop signs. Unwarranted stpp signs breed disrespect by motorists who tend to ignore them or only slow down without stopping. This can sometimes lead to tragic consequences.

To read more: Why can't we have an all-way stop to reduce accidents? (PDF, 100 KB)

Ask a homeowner where they believe the property line is in front of their house. In general, many will say that their property line ends at the curb or sidewalk.

To read more: What gives a public agency the right to dig up my front yard? (PDF, 100 KB)

In general, the governing body which has jurisdictional control over a roadway has the power to establish the speed limit for that roadway. This is done by adopting a resolution or by passing an ordinance to establish the speed limit. The State’s Department of Transportation gives the final authority to establish and enforce the speed limit. 

To read more: How are speed limits established? (PDF, 100 KB)

In order to ensure that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of installing a traffic signal, and to provide some consistency in the application of traffic signals, a series of warrants has been developed to define the minimum conditions under which further consideration of a traffic signal is appropriate. 

To read more: What are traffic signal warrants? (PDF, 120 KB)

The Institute of Transportation Engineers has developed a report covering the design and application of speed humps. The report (Guidelines for the Design and Application of Speed Humps) was prepared by the ITE Technical Council Speed Humps Task Force in 1995. It can be obtained by contacting ITE headquarters at 202-554-8050.

To read more: Can speed humps be installed on my street? (PDF, 100 KB)

In placing a STOP sign at an intersection, visibility of the sign by the motorist is the main concern. The STOP sign should not be blocked by other signs or vegetation. It is placed on the right hand side of the traffic lane to which is applies. In cases where the road is wide, an additional STOP sign is placed on the left side of the road. 

To read more: Where should a stop sign and stop bar (line) be placed at an intersection? (PDF, 56 KB)

Using these warrants, traffic engineers look at an intersection based on various criteria:

• Does a minor road intersect a major road where application of normal right-of-way rule is particularly hazardous?
• Does a street enter a through highway or street? # Is the intersection an unsignalized one in a signalized area? 
• Does the combination of high speed, restricted view, and serious accident history indicate a need for a STOP sign?

If one or more of these criteria describe the intersection, the traffic engineer then decides if a STOP sign is the best solution for the problem. It is important to note that a STOP sign should not be installed unless it meets one or more of the criteria.

To read more: How do you decide where to install STOP signs (PDF, 64 KB)

Go to KentWA.gov/eConnect and sign up for Drive Kent alerts in the Public Works menu. You can also see Traffic Advisories. 

Visit King County’s My Commute or follow them on Twitter (Twitter.com/kcroads). 

Visit Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) online. 

You can find a list of current and future construction projects. 

You can download our app "KentWorks" available in the app store. Here you can report non-emergency issues  and check the status of your requests.

• Following the traffic laws
• Not running a red light
• Coming to stop at a red light before turning right

The following intersections are equipped with the red light camera systems:

• Central Avenue and Smith Street - both northbound and southbound
• Central Avenue and James Street - both northbound and eastbound
• Kent Des Moines Road and Pacific Highway South - eastbound (this has two cameras for one approach)
• 104th Avenue Southeast and SE 256th Street - northbound and eastbound
• 84th Avenue South and South 212th Street - northbound and southbound
• SE 240th Street and 104th Avenue Southeast - eastbound and westbound

Cameras are installed near the following elementary schools and are clearly marked with signs.

Neely-O'Brien Elementary School

6300 S 236th St

Sunrise Elementary School

22300 132nd Ave SE

Meridian Elementary School

25621 140th Ave SE (on SE 256th St)

Millennium Elementary School

11919 SE 270th St (on 124th Ave SE)

Meadow Ridge Elementary School 

27710 108th Ave S

Springbrook Elementary School

20035 100th Ave SE

$136 - For drivers going 1 - 9 miles over the 20 miles per hour limit

$248 - For drivers going 10 miles per hour or more over the 20 miles per hour limit

Images of your vehicle were captured and recorded by a traffic safety camera. You can review your images and video of the actual occurrence at ViolationInfo.com:

• Log in using the Notice # and PIN # printed on the front of the Notice of Infraction.
• The images and video were reviewed by commissioned officers of the Kent Police Department before the alleged civil violation was affirmed and mailed to you as the registered owner.
• The digital photographic evidence of this incident will be submitted as evidence to the Kent Municipal Court for prosecution of this violation.

$136 - For drivers going 1 - 9 miles over the 20 miles per hour limit

$248 - For drivers going 10 miles per hour or more over the 20 miles per hour limit .

You'll get late fees and be referred to a collections agency if you fail to:

• Respond to a Notice of Infraction
• Appear for a requested hearing
• Pay a penalty imposed after a hearing

Additional penalties and collection fees will be added to the original fine. Failure to pay or failure to appear at a hearing will also result in the refusal by the Washington Department of Licensing to renew the vehicle license, until any penalties imposed pursuant to RCW Chapter 46.63 have been satisfied.

Pay your fines online with your American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa or PayPal.

• Mail your check or money order (payable to the City of Kent) in the enclosed envelope with the coupon printed at the bottom of the Notice of Infraction. DO NOT MAIL CASH. Be sure to include the Notice # on the face of the check or money order.
• Pay in person with cash, check, money order, Visa or MasterCard at Kent Municipal Court located 1220 Central Ave. S. Kent, WA 98032 - Hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm.
• By phone with a Visa or MasterCard, 253-856-5730 - Hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. -  4:30 p.m.

You may request a Mitigation or a Contested Hearing:

• Guidelines for each are defined on your Notice of Infraction.
• Indicate your choice on the hearing coupon and mail it to the Kent Municipal Court using the enclosed envelope.
• Failure to appear for a requested hearing, or failure to pay a penalty imposed after a hearing will result in your Notice of Infraction being referred to a collection agency; additional penalties plus collection fees will be added to the original penalty.
• Failure to appear for a requested hearing, and/or failure to pay may also result in non-renewal of your vehicle license.

You can register to vote with King County Elections online, by mail or in-person. Visit King County Elections for details and deadlines. 

See all election results and reports at King County Elections.

Visit King County Elections for ballot measures and candidate information for the upcoming election. 

Ballots, envelopes and voter guides are mailed about 20 days prior to each election, if you are a registered voter. If you do not receive them, you can contact King County Elections at Elections@KingCounty.gov or 206-296-VOTE (8683).

No matter how much you like a service or how essential it may be, handing over your hard-earned money to somebody else is never fun. We understand that.

But when it comes to your water and sewer bill, the simple fact is the cost of running these complex systems continues to rise. Your bill helps to maintain and upgrade a vast infrastructure that allows us to collect, treat and deliver safe, reliable water, provide essential fire protection services, and finally, take wastewater and sewage away from your home or business for treatment and disposal.

Of the 280 miles of water pipes and 211 miles of wastewater pipes, many are over 40 years old and need to be replaced to ensure their consistent and proper function. Given the age and condition of many of the pipes in these systems, continued investment isn’t just important, it is essential to the well-being of our entire community.

Customers with dedicated fire lines paid no fees previously. The fee will now cover the cost to construct and maintain these lines so water will be available when it is needed. There will be no charge for the water used in during an incident, however. The fee amount is dependent on the number, and size of your fire lines.