Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Kirkland, Washington

Kirkland’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Kirkland city limits.

  • The city publishes the zoning regulations in a separate volume entitled City of Kirkland Zoning Code.

  “Kirkland Zoning Code The compilation of zoning ordinances of the City of Kirkland, Washington.”

• Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

  Accessory dwelling units associated with single-family dwellings inside Kirkland city limits.

  • Up to two ADUs are permitted per single-family dwelling.
  • The ADU must meet the cited ownership, size, location, zoning, parking, code, and permitting standards.
  • ADU gross floor area generally may not exceed 1,200 square feet.

  maximum ADUs per single-family dwelling: <= 2 ADUs (May be one attached and one detached, or two of either type.) · maximum ADU gross floor area: <= 1200 square feet (An attached ADU wholly within existing gross floor area on one floor may receive increased size approval from the Planning and Building Director.)

  “In Kirkland, you may have up to two ADUs per residential property. The maximum size of an ADU is 1,200 square feet.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision and lot-splitting activity inside Kirkland city limits.

  • The municipal title includes procedures for residential lot splitting, preliminary plats, final plats, short subdivisions, unit lot subdivisions, plat alterations, design requirements, and improvements.

  “See KMC 22.20 for Short Plat Procedures. Refer to KMC 22.28 for Design Requirements.”

• Permit processPartial

  Construction permits inside Kirkland city limits.

  • The city code provides chapters addressing applications and permits, permit applications, action on applications, permit duration, expiration, renewal, construction documents, and document approval; operative procedures and timelines were not obtained.

  “Permit applications are submitted online through MyBuildingPermit.com. City Staff review applications to ensure compliance with code and safety requirements.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Kirkland or King County directly.

• Building permit — Residential construction inside Kirkland city limits.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential work inside Kirkland city limits.
• Inspections — Residential construction inside Kirkland city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — New residential construction inside Kirkland city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Detached dwelling units in Kirkland low-density residential zones: RS, RSX, RSA, WD II, PLA 3C, PLA 6E, and PLA 16.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Kirkland means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

• Water Crystal Quest Filter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.
• Power Bluetti Solar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.
• Septic Soil percolation test kit Run your own perc test before paying an engineer — the first thing a septic office asks about.
• Water Well water test kit Bacteria, nitrates, hardness — know what the well on a parcel is really pumping.

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