Chelan County, WA Code Violation Reporting: How to Report (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger for a case
- documents or physical evidence
- County's stated approach
- education, then voluntary compliance
- Enforcement division address
- 411 Washington St, Wenatchee
- Administrator defined as
- Community Development director or sheriff
- No code-text portal
- complaint form not in county code
Summary
Chelan County's enforcement title doesn't set up a resident complaint hotline; per Chelan County Code § 16.06.010, the administrator opens a case whenever documents or physical evidence show a use or condition violates the county code. Section 16.02.040 states the county's approach favors education and voluntary compliance before penalties, and the Code Enforcement Division's address appears on the county's own citation forms.
It is the intent of Chelan County to proactively prevent code violations through education. Where violations have been documented, compliance with the code may be pursued through administrative remedies and voluntary compliance as a first step. When warnings and voluntary compliance efforts have been unsuccessful, compliance may be pursued with civil penalties to ensure uniform and efficient application of the code. ... Whenever the administrator determines, based on documents and/or physical evidence, that a use or condition exists in violation of any ordinance, regulation or resolution specified in Section 16.02.020, the administrator is authorized to issue a notice and order to cause the enforcement and correction of each violation. ... Mail to Chelan County, Code Enforcement Division, 411 Washington Street, Wenatchee, Washington 98801, this citation, together with a check or money order in the amount of the penalty shown on this citation.
Full Breakdown
020. The title doesn't create a separate hotline or online tip form in the code text itself; the "documents and/or physical evidence" language covers complaints, photos, inspection reports or the administrator's own observation equally. 020. 030, lists Chelan County, Code Enforcement Division, 411 Washington Street, Wenatchee, Washington 98801 as the department's mailing address, the two contact points the code itself puts in writing for reaching code enforcement.
Violations & Fines
Once a report or inspection gives the administrator documented grounds under § 16.06.010, the county can issue a notice and order or a citation. An uncorrected violation carries a $750.00 civil fine for a first offense and $1,500 for a repeat violation under § 16.16.010, with unpaid penalties collectible as a lien against the property under Chapter 16.18.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a code violation in unincorporated Chelan County?
Is there an address for code enforcement in Chelan County?
Will I get warned before the county fines me?
Who is the 'administrator' who acts on a report?
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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