Lacey, WA Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)
Key Facts
- Nuisance conditions declared
- Seven, listed A through G in LMC 9.52.010
- Immediate misdemeanor
- Vehicle operation nuisance (A) and loud noise (E)
- Misdemeanor after correction date
- Conditions B, C, D, F and G
- Civil penalty schedule
- $100 first day, up to $500 per day after day four
- Hearing
- At least ten days after notice; canceled if corrected 48 hours before
- Court appeal
- Thurston County Superior Court within twenty calendar days
Summary
In the City of Lacey, Washington, LMC 9.52.010 declares seven conditions to be public nuisances, among them accumulated junk and unlicensed or inoperable vehicles not fenced from public view, hazardous vegetation, loud noise on residentially zoned property, and graffiti visible from public places. Most become misdemeanors if they continue past the correction date set by a city enforcement officer.
The following conditions, acts, omissions and activities are declared to be harmful to the health, safety, peace, comfort or welfare of the citizens of the city and to constitute public nuisances: ... C. The accumulation of garbage and refuse not disposed of in accordance with Chapter 8.04 LMC, or the accumulation of a motor vehicle or motor vehicles incapable of being operated or unlicensed for the current year, parts, glass, old appliances or parts thereof, old iron or other metal, paper, cardboard, old lumber or wood, old mattresses or other furniture, and all other waste or discarded material or other junk which is not completely fenced off or enclosed from public view and public access; D. The existence of hazardous vegetation, such as poison oak, poison ivy, deadly nightshade, tansy, ragwort or any similar noxious or toxic weed or plant which is allowed to grow on any property; E. Loud noise emanating from any source on residentially zoned property which causes disruption of the peace and comfort of the occupants of residential dwellings; ... G. The existence of “graffiti,” as defined in LMC 14.40.020, on any surface which is visible from a public or quasi-public place.
Full Breakdown
The seven nuisance conditions in LMC 9.52.010 are (A) motorcycle or other vehicle operation that creates a safety hazard for young children or unreasonably disrupts the peace of residential occupants, (B) unoccupied buildings not securely closed against entry and buildings made harmful or unsafe by abandonment, decay, dilapidation or damage, (C) garbage, refuse, inoperable or unlicensed vehicles and discarded materials not fenced off from public view, (D) hazardous vegetation such as poison oak, poison ivy, deadly nightshade, tansy and ragwort, (E) loud noise from any source on residentially zoned property, (F) dry grass, weeds or other vegetation that is a fire hazard or overhangs a sidewalk, street or abutting property, and (G) graffiti visible from a public or quasi-public place.
LMC 9.52.020 makes it unlawful to cause, maintain or allow any of these conditions on property you own or occupy. Violations of (A) and (E) are misdemeanors outright. For (B), (C), (D), (F) and (G), the misdemeanor attaches when the condition still exists after the date for correction set by a city enforcement officer under Chapter 14.40 LMC.
Chapter 14.40 is the civil enforcement track. It covers Chapters 9.52, 8.04, 14.38 (noise control) and 16.75 (signs) and LMC Titles 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. The department director first seeks voluntary correction. A notice of civil violation can issue directly in an emergency, for a repeat violation, for a condition that cannot be corrected, or when the person knew or should have known the act violated city regulation. The penalty is $100 for the first day, $200 for the second, $300 for the third, $400 for the fourth and $500 per day after four days. The hearing before the hearings examiner is set at least ten days out and is canceled with no penalty if the director approves the completed correction at least forty-eight hours before it. A repeat violation is the same regulation violated by the same person with voluntary compliance sought or a notice issued within two years, and the examiner can double the schedule.
Violations & Fines
The vehicle-operation nuisance (A) and loud residential noise (E) are misdemeanors under LMC 9.52.020, and the other five conditions become misdemeanors if allowed to exist after the correction date. Civil penalties under LMC 14.40.040(E) run from $100 on the first day to $500 per day beyond four days. Abatement costs are billed to the person responsible and are due within ten calendar days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a junk car in my yard a violation in Lacey?
When does a nuisance violation become a crime in Lacey?
What fines apply to a civil violation in Lacey?
How long do I have to appeal a Lacey notice of civil violation?
Does overgrown vegetation count as a nuisance in Lacey?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lacey
Compare Lacey to another location·View the Washington code violation reporting overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.