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Property Maintenance in Yakima, WA (2026)

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

Verified from official government sources

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.

Yakima Dangerous Building Repair or Demolition Order

Significant Restrictions

Yakima Municipal Code § 11.40.110.1

11.40.110.1 General. The code official shall order the owner or owner's authorized agent of any premises upon which is located any structure, which…is so deteriorated or dilapidated or has become so out of repair as to be dangerous, unsafe, insanitary or otherwise unfit for human habitation or occupancy, the code official shall order that, at the owner's expense, such structure, premises or unf...

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.

Yakima Vacant Lot Maintenance Duty

Some Restrictions

Yakima Municipal Code § 11.40.301.3

301.3 Vacant structures and land. Vacant structures and premises thereof or vacant land shall be maintained in a clean, safe, secure and sanitary condition as provided herein so as not to cause a blighting problem, a nuisance, or adversely affect the public health or safety.

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.

Yakima Sidewalk Snow Removal Deadline

Some Restrictions

Yakima Municipal Code § 8.88.020

Every owner or occupant of any property located within the city which is adjacent to a public sidewalk shall be responsible for the removal of snow and ice which may fall or accumulate on the sidewalks immediately adjacent to the primary entrance of said property. Said owner or occupant shall make a reasonable effort to have the sidewalks immediately adjacent to the primary entrance of said pro...

Looking for Yakima County county-wide rules?

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

Property Maintenance in Yakima County