Spokane Valley, WA Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)

SVMC § 7.05.040 opens with a blanket prohibition: "No person, firm, or entity shall erect, contrive, cause, continue, maintain, or permit to exist any public nuisance within the City," then lists 18 categories, lettered A through R, that count as prohibited nuisances. The list runs from overhanging vegetation and dangerous buildings (A, B) through sidewalk obstructions, accumulated garbage and junk (C, D), fire hazards, toxic substances, and foul odors (E, F, G), stagnant water and unsecured holes (H, I), excessive noise and dust (K, L), unlicensed yard sales and junk vehicles (M, N), graffiti and development code violations (O, P), and unlawful camping and right-of-way obstructions (Q, R). This is the enumerated list a Spokane Valley code enforcement officer checks against when a neighbor files a complaint.

Enforcement runs through Chapter 17.100 SVMC, adopted specifically to police Chapter 7.05 nuisances and Titles 17 through 24. Under SVMC § 17.100.050, the City typically issues a verbal or written warning first, giving the responsible party up to 30 days to abate the condition before escalating to a formal notice and order. A notice and order under § 17.100.150 must specify the violated provision, the dollar amount of any civil penalty, and a right to appeal to the hearing examiner within 14 days of service. Repeat or economically motivated violations move up the civil penalty schedule set in § 17.100.250, and willful, knowing violations can be referred to the city attorney for misdemeanor prosecution under § 17.100.030(A)(7).