How to Fight a Red-Light Camera Ticket in Kent, WA (2026)
Kent Police Department operates red-light cameras at up to 12 approved intersections — 10 were active as of October 2023, with 2 remaining pending activation (Kent-Kangley Rd/116th Ave SE and S 212th St/68th Ave S). The program launched in July 2019 at 6 intersections and expanded in 2023. Kent Police officers review every photo and video before any citation is issued — no ticket is automated. The vendor is Verra Mobility (formerly American Traffic Solutions / ATS); evidence is reviewed at www.violationinfo.com. The fine is $136 — Kent set this below the WA state maximum of $145 (RCW 46.63.220(16)). Kent Municipal Court (1220 Central Ave. S., Kent, WA 98032) adjudicates all camera infractions. Verra Mobility's contract runs through May 30, 2028 at approximately $1.2M/year. The program issued 33,934 red-light infractions in 2022 and generated $2.7M in net revenue. No license points; no driving record impact.
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Kent Red-Light Camera Fines
| Violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| Red-light camera citationKent-set amount below the WA state cap of $145 (RCW 46.63.220(16)); civil infraction — no license points; no driving record | $136 |
How to Contest a Kent Red-Light Camera Ticket
Where: Kent Municipal Court
How / where to file: 1220 Central Ave. S., Kent, WA 98032
Kent Deadline
30 days from the date of your notice of infraction (RCW 46.63.070(1)); use the due date printed on your notice; keep the original envelope — check the postmark (14-day mailing rule, RCW 46.63.220(9)); $25 failure-to-respond penalty applies (RCW 46.63.110(4))
Step 1 — View your evidence at www.violationinfo.com (enter Notice Number and PIN). Step 2 — Respond within 30 days of the notice date via one of four options: Option A — Pay the fine (online at violationinfo.com or by mail to Kent Municipal Court). Option B — Contest the infraction: sign and mail the notice coupon (select Contested Hearing) to Kent Municipal Court; at the hearing the city must prove the infraction by a preponderance of the evidence (RCW 46.63.090(3)); you may attend in person or, if local rules allow, submit a written declaration under IRLJ 2.6. Option C — Sworn Non-Driver Statement (RCW 46.63.075(2)): if you were not driving, mail a sworn written statement to Kent Municipal Court (1220 Central Ave. S., Kent WA 98032) within 30 days; statement is under oath; false statement is perjury. Option D — Mitigation hearing: request reduced fine or income-based 50% reduction (RCW 46.63.220(15) — required for public assistance recipients on first camera infraction). Step 3 — Warning period defense: Kent implements a 30-day warning period for all newly activated camera locations; if your ticket came from a newly activated camera within 30 days of its activation, this is a potential defense under RCW 46.63.220(7).
Notable Red-Light Camera Locations in Kent
- Central Avenue N. and E. Smith Street — 4,713 southbound infractions in 2021 (highest of original 6 sites)
- Central Avenue N. and E. James Street — first phase (active since mid-2019)
- Kent-Des Moines Road and Pacific Highway S. — first phase
- 104th Avenue SE and SE 240th Street — second phase (active since late 2019)
- 104th Avenue SE and SE 256th Street — second phase
- 84th Avenue S. and S. 212th Street — second phase
- SE 208th Street and 108th Avenue SE — active (activated Sept/Oct 2023)
- SE 240th Street and 116th Avenue SE — active (early 2023)
- South 228th Street and 68th Avenue South — active (early 2023)
- West Meeker Street and Washington Avenue North — active (Nov 1, 2023; fines from Dec 1, 2023)
- Kent-Kangley Road and 116th Avenue SE — pending activation as of Oct 2023
- South 212th Street and 68th Avenue South — pending activation as of Oct 2023
Kent Red-Light Camera — By the Numbers
Kent Police Department's red-light camera program covers 10+ active intersections (12 approved; 2 pending as of October 2023); launched July 2019 at 6 intersections; expanded to 12 in 2023 (Kent Reporter, June 27, 2023).
Kent red-light camera fine: $136 — set below the WA state cap of $145; no license points; no driving record impact (Kent Reporter, October 31, 2023; RCW 46.63.220(16)).
Kent issued 33,934 red-light infractions in 2022 and generated $2.7M in net revenue; $4.4M projected net revenue for 2024 (Kent Reporter, June 27, 2023; November 28, 2023).
Kent Police officers review every photo and video before any citation is issued; Police Chief Padilla: 'Officers review photos and videos to determine whether to issue a ticket' (Kent Reporter, August 14, 2019).
Kent Municipal Court (1220 Central Ave. S., Kent WA 98032) adjudicates all camera tickets; Verra Mobility contract extended through May 30, 2028 at ~$1.2M/year (Kent Reporter, June 27, 2023).
Highest-infraction intersection in 2021: Central Ave N. / E. Smith Street — 4,713 southbound infractions (Kent Reporter, September 30, 2022).
Which Washington defenses apply to your ticket?
Kent red-light citations are governed by RCW 46.63.220. The Washington state page covers statewide defenses: civil infraction structure, no license points, RCW 46.63.220(16) driving-record carveout, 14-day mailing deadline (RCW 46.63.220(9)), sworn non-driver statement (RCW 46.63.075(2)), and preponderance-of-evidence standard (RCW 46.63.090(3)). This page adds Kent-specific detail: program since July 2019; 10+ active intersections (12 approved; 2 pending as of Oct 2023) with named locations and 2021/2022 data; Verra Mobility vendor (violationinfo.com); $136 local fine (below $145 state cap); Kent Municipal Court venue (1220 Central Ave. S.); sworn non-driver statement mailed to court (not by email, not to Tempe AZ processing center); 30-day warning period policy for new cameras; 50% income-based reduction (RCW 46.63.220(15)); officer review requirement for all citations. Distinct from Federal Way (different court; Statement of Non-Responsibility provided with notice; mail-in contested hearing waives appeal), Tacoma (Novoa Global/ZeroFatality.com vendor; Pierce County District Court), and Spokane (Spokane Municipal Court; fixed Thursday hearing calendar).
See all Washington red-light camera defenses →Kent Red-Light Camera Ticket FAQ
How much is a red-light camera ticket in Kent?
As of the most recent published data (October 2023), a red-light camera ticket in Kent is $136. This is below the Washington State maximum of $145 (RCW 46.63.220(16)). Like all camera tickets in Washington, it does not add points to your license, does not appear on your driving record, and is not reported to your insurance company. Check your notice for the controlling amount if the city has updated its schedule since 2023. Source: Kent Reporter, October 31, 2023; RCW 46.63.220(16).
Where do I view the video from my Kent camera ticket?
Visit www.violationinfo.com and enter the Notice Number and PIN printed on your citation. You can view photographs and a short video clip of the alleged violation. Reviewing this evidence before deciding whether to pay or contest is important — if the footage clearly shows a violation, paying may be the most practical path. Source: Kent Reporter, August 14, 2019 (Police Chief Padilla).
I wasn't driving the car. How do I respond to a Kent camera ticket?
Submit a sworn written statement to Kent Municipal Court (1220 Central Ave. S., Kent, WA 98032) stating that the vehicle was not in your care, custody, or control at the time of the violation — or that it was stolen. Under RCW 46.63.075(2), this sworn statement overcomes the presumption that the registered owner was the driver. Submit within 30 days. The statement is under oath — a false statement is perjury under Washington law. Source: Kent Reporter, June 12, 2013 (Police Chief Ken Thomas); RCW 46.63.075(2).
What is the deadline to contest a Kent camera ticket?
The deadline is 30 days from the date of your notice of infraction — use the due date printed on the notice. To contest: sign the coupon on the back of your notice and mail it to Kent Municipal Court before the due date. Keep your original mailing envelope — if the postmark on the envelope you received is more than 14 days after the violation date, you may have a procedural defense under RCW 46.63.220(9). A $25 failure-to-respond penalty applies under RCW 46.63.110(4). Source: RCW 46.63.070(1); RCW 46.63.220(9).
Does a Kent camera ticket go on my driving record?
No. Washington state law (RCW 46.63.220(16)) expressly excludes camera-issued infractions from the definition of moving violations. Kent Police confirm this: 'the ticket does not go onto your driving record and will not impact your insurance rate.' Camera tickets are processed as civil parking infractions. Source: RCW 46.63.220(16); Kent Reporter, October 31, 2023.
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ParkingFight is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Information is for informational purposes only and based on publicly available Washington statutes, Kent program documents, and primary-source research as of 2026-06-07. Verify current rules with your court or a licensed attorney.