Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Property Maintenance in Federal Way, WA (2026)

3 verified property maintenance rules for Federal Way, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

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.

Federal Way Dangerous Premises Abatement

Significant Restrictions

FWRC 1.15.175

Premises which have any of the following conditions shall be deemed dangerous or unfit: (1) Premises that contain trash, garbage, junk, old wood, building materials, appliances, brush, tree limbs, or other items that may attract rats or other vermin due to a food source or rodent harborage; (2) Premises that have any number of unsecured vehicles, cars, trucks, bikes, farm equipment, constructio...

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.

Federal Way Vacant Lot Nuisance Rules

Some Restrictions

FWRC 7.03.040(10)

Filthy, littered, trash-covered, or overgrown premises or abutting street and alley rights-of-way for which a property owner is responsible, including, but not limited to: (a) Storing outside a completely enclosed building litter, junk, or cut brush or wood including dead or decaying plant material except as contained in a compost pile or orderly stacked firewood if cut in lengths of four feet ...

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.

Federal Way Sidewalk Snow Removal Deadline

Some Restrictions

FWRC 4.40.040

It shall be the duty of the property owner, lessee, or occupant of property abutting or bordering any highway, street, avenue, or public place to remove or cause to be removed all snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of or adjacent to such property to the full width of said sidewalk within 24 hours after such snow or ice has accumulated thereon.

Looking for King County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Federal Way city rules.

Property Maintenance in King County