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🏚️ Property Maintenance/Property Blight

Auburn vs Federal Way

How do property blight rules compare between Auburn, WA and Federal Way, WA?

Auburn has fewer restrictions than Federal Way.

Auburn, WA

King County

Some Restrictions

Auburn regulates property blight including junk, overgrown vegetation, unsecured structures, and nuisance conditions under ACC Title 8 Chapter 8.12 and the adopted International Property Maintenance Code.

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Federal Way, WA

King County

Heavy Restrictions

Federal Way prohibits blighted property including junk accumulation, broken windows, graffiti, and derelict structures under FWRC Titles 1 and 13 with civil penalties up to 500 dollars per day.

View full Federal Way rules →

Key Facts Comparison

FactAuburnFederal Way
Code ReferenceACC Chapter 8.12 Public Nuisances-
StandardsInternational Property Maintenance Code-
EnforcementAuburn Code Enforcement 253-931-3030-
ProcessCourtesy notice, then civil infraction-
Code-FWRC Titles 1 and 13
Graffiti-Remove promptly after notice
Penalties-100 to 500 dollars per day
Report-253-835-2641 Code Compliance

Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.

Auburn FAQ

How do I report a blighted property in Auburn?

Call Auburn Code Enforcement at 253-931-3030 or use the online complaint form on the Auburn Community Development website. Include the address and a description of the conditions.

What happens if a property owner ignores a blight notice in Auburn?

The city can issue civil infractions with daily fines and may abate the nuisance directly and lien the cleanup cost against the property under ACC Chapter 8.12.

Federal Way FAQ

How long does a Federal Way property have to sit junky before it is a violation?

There is no grace period. Accumulation of trash, junk, or derelict vehicles visible from the street or neighboring property can be cited under FWRC as soon as Code Compliance observes or receives a report.

Who pays if Federal Way abates a blighted property?

The city bills the property owner for cleanup costs and, if unpaid, records a lien against the property under FWRC Title 1. The lien is collected like a tax assessment.

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