How to Fight a Speed Camera Ticket in Kent, WA (2026)
Kent Police Department has operated school zone speed cameras at 6 elementary schools since 2014 — over a decade of continuous operation. All six locations have been active since February 2019; the program has operated continuously since January 2014 (Neely-O'Brien and Sunrise Elementaries) and through COVID-19 school closures (reactivated April 2021). The vendor is Verra Mobility (violationinfo.com), the same vendor as the red-light camera program. Kent Police officers review every event before a citation is issued. The school zone fine is $136 (1–9 mph over the 20 MPH limit) or $248 (10+ mph over) — set locally below the WA state caps of $145/$290. Cameras enforce during published 30-minute windows when school zone beacons are flashing on school days only. Cameras do not operate on weekends, holidays, or during summer recess. Kent Municipal Court adjudicates all school zone camera infractions.
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Kent Speed Camera Fines
| Violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| School zone speed — 1–9 mph over the 20 MPH limitKent-set amount below WA state cap of $145; civil infraction — no license points | $136 |
| School zone speed — 10 mph or more over the 20 MPH limitKent-set amount below WA state cap of $290; civil infraction — no license points | $248 |
How to Contest a Kent Speed 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 on your notice; keep the original envelope (14-day mailing rule, RCW 46.63.220(9))
Same process as Kent red-light camera citations: Step 1 — View evidence at www.violationinfo.com. Step 2 — Respond within 30 days via: pay (violationinfo.com or mail to court); contest at Kent Municipal Court (sign and mail notice coupon); sworn non-driver statement (mail to 1220 Central Ave. S., Kent WA 98032 within 30 days); or mitigation hearing (for reduced fine or income-based 50% reduction under RCW 46.63.220(15)). Step 3 — Beacon-not-flashing defense: Kent school zone cameras operate during published 30-minute windows when beacons are flashing. If your citation was issued outside the published activation times, on a weekend, school holiday, or during summer recess, this is a factual defense to raise at a contested hearing — request the city produce evidence that the school zone beacon was active at the time of the violation.
Notable Speed Camera Locations in Kent
- Neely-O'Brien Elementary — 6300 S. 236th St.; beacons: 8:20–8:50 AM and 12:10–12:40 PM (active since Jan 2014)
- Sunrise Elementary — 22300 132nd Ave. SE; beacons: 8:20–8:50 AM and 12:10–12:40 PM (active since Jan 2014)
- Meridian Elementary — 25621 140th Ave. SE (on SE 256th St.); beacons: 8:50–9:20 AM and 12:40–1:10 PM (active since fall 2015)
- Millennium Elementary — 11919 SE 270th St. (on 124th Ave. SE); beacons: 8:50–9:20 AM and 12:40–1:10 PM (active since fall 2015)
- Meadow Ridge Elementary — 27710 108th Ave. SE; beacons: 8:05–8:35 AM and 11:55 AM–12:25 PM (active since Feb 2019)
- Springbrook Elementary — 20035 100th Ave. SE; beacons: 8:35–9:05 AM and 12:25–12:55 PM (active since Feb 2019)
- Beacons must be flashing for enforcement; cameras are off on weekends, holidays, and during summer recess
Kent Speed Camera — By the Numbers
Kent school zone speed cameras have operated since January 2014 at 6 elementary schools — over a decade of continuous enforcement (Kent Reporter, January 2, 2014; April 13, 2021).
Kent school zone speed camera fines: $136 (1–9 mph over 20 MPH limit) and $248 (10+ mph over) — set locally below WA state caps of $145/$290 (Kent Reporter, April 13, 2021; RCW 46.63.220(16)).
Kent school zone cameras generate net revenue: $927,542 in 2014; $1.56M in 2019 (Kent Reporter, July 1, 2021).
Six Kent school zones with published 30-minute activation windows before and after school; cameras operate on school days only when beacons are flashing (Kent Reporter, April 13, 2021).
Kent school zone fine was $124 before December 2018; raised to $136 as of December 2018 (Kent Reporter, December 13, 2018).
Which Washington defenses apply to your ticket?
Kent school zone speed citations are governed by RCW 46.63.220 and RCW 46.63.250. The Washington state page covers statewide defenses: civil infraction structure, no license points, 14-day mailing deadline (RCW 46.63.220(9)), sworn non-driver statement (RCW 46.63.075(2)), and school-zone beacon activation requirement. This page adds Kent-specific detail: 6 named elementary schools with addresses and published beacon activation times (as of April 2021); Verra Mobility vendor (violationinfo.com); $136/$248 local fine tiers (below $145/$290 state caps); Kent Municipal Court venue (1220 Central Ave. S.); 30-day warning period for newly activated cameras; 50% income-based reduction (RCW 46.63.220(15)); beacon-not-flashing defense (citation issued outside published 30-minute windows, on weekends, or during school holidays or summer); school zone fine history ($124 before Dec 2018; $136 from Dec 2018). Distinct from Federal Way (school zone fines can be waived; Statement of Non-Responsibility form provided with notice), Tacoma (Novoa Global vendor; different court), and Spokane (different court and published beacon schedule format).
See all Washington speed camera defenses →Kent Speed Camera Ticket FAQ
How much is a school zone speed camera ticket in Kent?
A school zone speed camera ticket in Kent is $136 if you were going 1–9 mph over the 20 MPH school zone limit, or $248 if you were going 10 mph or more over the limit. These amounts are set by Kent's local program, below the state cap of $145/$290. The cameras only issue citations during school days, during the 30-minute windows before and after school, when school zone beacons are flashing. The ticket does not affect your driving record or insurance. Source: Kent Reporter, April 13, 2021; RCW 46.63.220(16).
Does the Kent school zone camera operate all day?
No. School zone cameras activate for approximately 30 minutes before school starts and 30 minutes after school ends, during school days only when beacons are flashing. Published schedule (as of April 2021): Neely-O'Brien and Sunrise: 8:20–8:50 AM and 12:10–12:40 PM; Meridian and Millennium: 8:50–9:20 AM and 12:40–1:10 PM; Meadow Ridge: 8:05–8:35 AM and 11:55 AM–12:25 PM; Springbrook: 8:35–9:05 AM and 12:25–12:55 PM. Cameras are not active on weekends, holidays, or during summer recess. If your citation was issued outside school hours or when school was not in session, that is a potential defense to raise at a hearing. Source: Kent Reporter, April 13, 2021.
Can I get a reduced fine for a Kent school zone camera ticket if I receive public assistance?
Yes. Washington state law (RCW 46.63.220(15)) requires that registered owners receiving public assistance under Title 74 RCW (SNAP, TANF, Apple Health, and similar programs) or participating in the Washington WIC program must receive a 50% reduction in the penalty on their first camera infraction (and on subsequent infractions issued within 21 days). Include documentation of your program participation in your response to Kent Municipal Court. Source: RCW 46.63.220(15).
Which elementary schools have speed cameras in Kent?
Six elementary schools have speed cameras: Neely-O'Brien Elementary (6300 S. 236th St.), Sunrise Elementary (22300 132nd Ave. SE), Meridian Elementary (25621 140th Ave. SE), Millennium Elementary (11919 SE 270th St.), Meadow Ridge Elementary (27710 108th Ave. SE), and Springbrook Elementary (20035 100th Ave. SE). The first two have been active since January 2014. Source: Kent Reporter, February 28, 2019; April 13, 2021.
Does a Kent school zone camera ticket affect 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: 'the ticket does not go onto your driving record and will not impact your insurance rate.' 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.