KPFF was founded by Albert Kelly in Seattle in 1960. The original firm of Albert Kelly and Associates became Kelly Pittelko Fritz and Forssen, then was renamed KPFF in 1976. KPFF currently has offices in Seattle, Everette, Tacoma, Lacey, Portland, Eugene, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Irvine, San Diego, Pasadena, Walnut Creek, Phoenix, Denver, New York, St.Louis and Roseville. The General and Administrative Division is located in Seattle and Calabasas.

KPFF's Los Angeles Civil group began in Los Angeles in 1995 and became a separate cost center and full division in May of 2000. To date there are approximately 55 employees in the LA Civil division.