Chelan County, WA Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)
Key Facts
- Titles covered
- 3, 11, 12, 13, 15 + shoreline program
- Legal status
- declared public nuisances
- Fine accrual
- each day is a separate violation
- First-offense fine
- $750.00
- Repeat-violation fine
- $1,500
Summary
Unincorporated Chelan County enforces code violations under Titles 3 (Building), 11 (Zoning), 12 (Subdivisions), 13 (Environment) and 15 (Development Standards), plus the shoreline master program. Chelan County Code § 16.02.030 declares every violation of these titles a public nuisance, and each day the violation continues counts as a new, separate violation, so an uncorrected breach keeps accruing exposure.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to enforcement of the Chelan County shoreline master program and the following county codes as now or hereafter amended: Title 3 (Building Regulations); Title 11 (Zoning); Title 12 (Subdivisions); Title 13 (Environment); Title 15 (Development Standards); and county-adopted city ordinances as applicable. ... All violations of this title and all applicable titles, statutes, and regulations are hereby declared to be detrimental to public health, safety, and welfare and are hereby declared to be public nuisances. Each day or portion of a day upon which a violation occurs or continues constitutes a separate violation.
Full Breakdown
" In practice that spans the most-cited violations Community Development pursues in the unincorporated area: building or grading without a permit under Title 3, land use that doesn't match a parcel's Title 11 zone (RR20 through RC/RI, the Peshastin and Manson UGAs and the critical-areas overlays), illegal land divisions under Title 12, shoreline and critical-area disturbances under Title 13, and road-access or stormwater non-compliance under Title 15. 18.
Violations & Fines
An unresolved violation of Title 3, 11, 12, 13 or 15 draws a Chelan County notice and order, then a civil penalty of $750.00 for a first offense and $1,500 for a repeat violation under § 16.16.010. Fines accrue daily while the violation continues, and unpaid penalties become a lien against the property under Chapter 16.18, collectible through the county auditor's recording office.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a code violation in unincorporated Chelan County?
Why does the county call violations 'public nuisances'?
Does a violation stop accruing fines once I start fixing it?
What happens the first time I'm cited for a violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chelan County
Compare Chelan County to another location·View the Washington code violation reporting overview
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