How Yakima Handles Property Maintenance: A Practical Guide
Yakima maintains 119 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with property maintenance. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Yakima falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Vacant Lot Maintenance
Vacant land and vacant structures in Yakima must be kept in a clean, safe, secure and sanitary condition under YMC § 11.40.301.3, part of the city's local amendments to the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code. If a vacant building has to be boarded up to stop unwanted entry, § 11.40.301.4.1 sets the minimum securing standard: half-inch structural wood sheathing over any opening within seven feet of grade.
Key details: Governing section: YMC § 11.40.301.3 (+.301.4.1). Standard: Clean, safe, secure, sanitary. Boarding standard: 1/2-inch sheathing within 7 ft of grade. Penalty: $250-$1,000 escalating (§11.40.106.4). Daily penalty: $50/day continuing violation.
Failing to keep a vacant lot or structure clean, safe, secure and sanitary, or failing to properly board a vacant structure, draws a code compliance penalty starting at $250 for missing the abatement deadline, rising to $500-$1,000 for repeat violations within 24 months under § 11.40.106.4, plus $50 for each additional day the violation continues. The code official may instead issue a civil infraction of up to $250. Unpaid penalties become a lien collected through the county tax rolls.
Property Blight
Yakima code officials can order owners of deteriorated, dangerous or uninhabitable structures to repair or demolish them at the owner's expense, with escalating remedies up to city-ordered demolition and a property lien.
Key details: Trigger: Deteriorated/dangerous/unfit structure. Cost threshold: 50% of replacement value. City remedy: Repair, demolish, or vacate order. Unpaid costs: Become a property lien.
If an owner fails to comply with a demolition order, the city demolishes and removes the structure itself and charges the cost against the property as a lien, recoverable through a special assessment.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Yakima actively enforces its property blight requirements.
Snow & Sidewalk Clearing
Yakima property owners and occupants must clear snow and ice from sidewalks next to their building's main entrance by 9 a.m. each day after snowfall, or spread sand if removal isn't practical.
Key details: Clearance deadline: 9 a.m. after snowfall. Max penalty: $50 per day. Governing section: YMC § 8.88.020. Alternative: Sand if removal impractical.
Violating § 8.88.020, including missing the 9 a.m. deadline or dumping snow into the right-of-way, is a civil infraction with a penalty up to $50, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense under YMC § 8.88.030.
The Bottom Line
Yakima'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 Yakima is broadly strict or permissive.
This guide is based on Yakima's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.