Federal Way's Property Maintenance: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles property maintenance a little differently. In Federal Way, Washington, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Property Blight

Federal Way deems a property "dangerous or unfit" and a public nuisance if it has trash or junk that attracts rats, unsecured inoperable vehicles, hazardous unsecured conditions, dilapidated structures, or over half its area covered in blackberries or noxious weeds. The improvement officer can order repair or demolition under FWRC 1.15.175 through 1.15.270.

Key details: Governing chapter: FWRC 1.15.175 through 1.15.270. Enforcing officer: Improvement officer / building official. First-violation penalty: $100 per day. Repeat penalty: $500 per day, 4th+ violation. Demolition threshold: 50%+ damage or decay in taxable value.

Under FWRC 1.15.040(5), a monetary penalty accrues per day for each violation that continues past the correction deadline: $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second, $300 for a third, and $500 for each additional violation of the same nature, in addition to abatement costs. FWRC 1.15.040(8) makes each day an unappealed notice and order goes uncorrected a separate misdemeanor, punishable under FWRC 1.10.070 by a fine up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both. Demolition and cleanup costs become a tax lien on the property.

This is one of the stricter rules in Federal Way's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing

Federal Way gives property owners, lessees, and occupants 24 hours to clear snow and ice off the sidewalk fronting their property under FWRC 4.40.040. Dumping that snow into the street or onto a traffic sign is separately banned by FWRC 4.40.050, and either violation is a Class 3 civil infraction.

Key details: Clearing deadline: 24 hours after snow/ice accumulates. Governing section: FWRC 4.40.040. Dumping ban: No snow into street or on signs. Penalty: Class 3 civil infraction, daily. Enforcing office: Director of Public Works.

Missing the 24-hour clearing window under FWRC 4.40.040, or dumping shoveled snow into the street or onto a traffic sign under FWRC 4.40.050, is a Class 3 civil infraction enforced under Chapter 7.80 RCW per FWRC 4.40.080. Each day snow or ice stays on the walk, or dumped snow stays in the roadway, is a separate offense, so a multi-day cold snap can compound the infraction quickly.

Vacant Lot Maintenance

Federal Way declares filthy, littered, trash-covered, or overgrown premises a public nuisance, reaching vacant and unimproved land where junk, debris, or dead plant growth is stored outside an enclosed building.

Key details: Nuisance trigger: Filthy, littered, trash-covered, overgrown premises. Covered items: Litter, junk, cut brush, dead plant material. Compost/firewood exception: Contained pile or stacked 4-ft. lengths. Vacant land weed limit: 12 inches under FWRC 13.43.030(20). First infraction penalty: $100.00 default under FWRC 1.15.110.

A violation of the public nuisance chapter is a civil infraction under FWRC 1.15.110, carrying a maximum default penalty of $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second violation of the same nature or a continuing violation, and $300 for a third or subsequent violation, governed by Chapter 7.80 RCW. FWRC 7.03.050 makes each day the nuisance condition continues after notice a separate violation, and the city may abate the condition itself and assess the cost, including a lien on the property, if the owner fails to correct it.

The Bottom Line

Federal Way's property maintenance rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Federal Way is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Federal Way's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.