The county code is available in document form below, or you can search the online code using detailed criteria.

Documents

The King County Code is available in the following formats: Word, PDF, and HTML. Click here to download free Acrobat PDF Reader.

Note: Use your browser's search function to locate and highlight terms within documents.

When creating legislative documents, such as ordinances and amendments, use the Word version.  In legislation, PDF and HTML material causes formatting problems.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Updated: 3/30/2022
PDF      Word    HTML

CHARTER

Updated: 3/30/2022
PDF      Word    HTML

PREFACE

PDF      Word    HTML

Title 1. County Council and Elections

Updated:  6/21/2023
PDF    Word    HTML

Title 2. Administration

Updated: 8/3/2023
PDF     Word    HTML

Title 2A. Administration

Updated:  5/8/2023
PDF     Word    HTML

Title 3. Personnel

Updated:  1/4/2023
PDF    Word    HTML

Title 4. Revenue and Financial Regulation

Updated: 8/3/2023
PDF      Word    HTML

Title 4A. Revenue and Financial Regulation

Updated:  6/27/2023
PDF      Word    HTML

Title 5. Adult Detention

Updated:  3/30/2022
PDF      Word    HTML

Title 6. Business Licenses and Regulations

Updated:  1/4/2023
PDF     Word    HTML

Title 7. Parks and Recreation

Updated:  3/30/2022
PDF      Word    HTML

Title 8. Health and Sanitation

Updated:  3/30/2022
PDF     Word    HTML
*Link to King County Board of Health Code

Title 9. Surface Water Management

Updated:  4/21/2023
PDF      Word    HTML
*Link to Department of Local Services, Permitting Division

Title 10. Solid Waste

Updated:  1/4/2023
PDF      Word    HTML

Title 11. Animal Control

Updated:  8/3/2023
PDF      Word    HTML

Title 12. Public Peace, Safety and Morals

Updated:  8/3/2023
PDF    Word    HTML

Title 13. Water and Sewer Systems

Updated: 3/03/2023
PDF      Word    HTML
*Link to King County Board of Health Code
*Link to Department of Local Services, Permitting Division

Title 14. Roads and Bridges

Updated:  9/18/2023
PDF     Word    HTML
*Link to Department of Local Services, Permitting Division

Title 14A. Traffic Code

Updated:  3/30/2022
PDF     Word    HTML

Title 15. Airport

Updated:  3/30/2022
PDF      Word    HTML
*Link to Department of Local Services, Permitting Division

Title 16. Building and Construction Standards

Updated:  9/18/2023
PDF      Word    HTML
*Link to Department of Local Services, Permitting Division

Title 17. Fire Code

Updated:  1/4/2023
PDF      Word    HTML
*Link to Department of Local Services, Permitting Division

Title 18. Environmental Sustainability Program

Updated:  3/03/2023
PDF      Word    HTML

Title 19A. Land Segregation

Updated: 9/18/2023
PDF      Word    HTML

Title 20. Planning

Updated:  9/18/2023
PDF      Word    HTML
*Link to Department of Local Services, Permitting Division

Title 21A. Zoning

Updated:  9/18/2023
PDF    Word    HTML
*Link to Department of Local Services, Permitting Division

Title 22. Stadium

Updated:  3/30/2022
PDF     Word    HTML

Title 23. Code Compliance

Updated:  3/30/2022
PDF     Word    HTML

Title 24. Housing and Community Development

Updated:  4/6/2023
PDF     Word    HTML

Title 26. Agricultural and Open Space Lands

Updated:  9/18/2023
PDF    Word    HTML

Title 27. Development Permit Fees

Updated:  1/4/2023
PDF     Word    HTML

Title 27A. Financial Guarantees

Updated:  5/19/2022
PDF    Word    HTML

Title 28. Metropolitan Functions

Updated:  6/27/2022
PDF    Word    HTML

DISPOSITION TABLE

Updated:  8/3/2023
PDF    Word    HTML

For information regarding the King County Code or King County legislation, please contact:

Melani Hay, Clerk of the Council
melani.hay@kingcounty.gov
King County Courthouse
516 Third Avenue, Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 477-1025
(206) 296-1024 TDD

Building Code and Land Use

Building code and land use questions for property in unincorporated King County can be answered by the Department of Local Services, Permitting Division. If your question concerns property within an incorporated city, please contact that municipality.

Note regarding Code

All laws of a permanent or general nature must be incorporated into and become a part of the King County Code. The contents of the King County Code establish prima facie the laws of King County that are of a permanent or general nature.

If there is an omission or an inconsistency between the code and an ordinance, the ordinance controls.  Failure to codify an ordinance does not affect the applicability of the ordinance as law. (K.C.C. 1.02.070). To view an electronic copy of an ordinance, go to the legislative archive. You may also contact the Clerk of the Council at clerk.council@kingcounty.gov for more information.

This electronic version of the code is made available for your research use and convenience, Please notify the Clerk's Office if you identify errors in electronic conversion or transmission, so that we may correct them.