Grays Harbor County, WA Code Violation Reporting: How to Report (2026)

Section 17.76.010 appoints the Grays Harbor County planning director to administer Title 17, and § 17.76.020 makes the planning director, or a duly authorized designee, responsible for zoning information, processing applications, and notifying violators in writing of the nature of a violation and the action needed to correct it. Section 17.76.040 sets the actual complaint mechanism: any person may file a complaint stating fully the causes and basis, filed with the administrative official, who must record it properly, investigate, and take action as provided by Title 17.

For nuisance-type violations outside zoning, such as junk vehicles, litter, on-site sewage, recreational vehicle storage or solid waste, covered by Chapters 8.04, 8.12, 8.16, 8.20 and 8.28, Chapter 8.40 Code Enforcement (adopted by Ord. No. 495, effective July 9, 2024) governs the follow-up procedure. The responsible department director first confirms the nuisance and seeks voluntary compliance; if the matter is unresolved, the county sends an initial letter no sooner than 15 days after first contact, giving 30 business days to resolve it under § 8.40.050(A).

If that fails, § 8.40.050(B) requires a 'Notice of Violation' served by certified and regular mail, which must include an application to request a hearing within 60 days of the notice date. If the nuisance is still not abated 60 days after service, § 8.40.050(C) requires an 'Order to Correct' mailed by certified mail, giving 15 days to appeal. If that period lapses without compliance, § 8.40.050(D) sends the matter to the Grays Harbor County prosecuting attorney's office to pursue abatement through the courts, and § 8.40.050(E) lets the county recover its attorneys' fees and costs in that action.