Bellevue, WA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing officer
- Bellevue building official
- Deadline to start work
- 60 days from order (max)
- Nuisance abatement chapter
- Chapter 1.18 BCC
- Occupying posted building
- misdemeanor
- Recorded against title
- dangerous building certificate, King County
Summary
Bellevue's Abatement of Dangerous Buildings Code lets the building official declare a structurally unsound, fire-damaged or unsanitary building a public nuisance and order it repaired, vacated or demolished within a set deadline.
“Dangerous building” is any building or structure which has one or more conditions or defects hereinafter described; provided, that such conditions or defects exist to the extent that the life, health, property or safety of the public or its occupants is endangered. ... 18. Whenever any portion thereof remains on a site after the demolition or destruction of the building or structure or whenever any building or structure is abandoned for a period in excess of six months so as to constitute such building, structure, or portion thereof a nuisance or hazard to the public. B. Public Nuisance. All buildings or portions thereof which are determined after inspection by the building official to be dangerous as defined in this chapter are hereby declared to be public nuisances and shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or removal in accordance with the procedure specified in this chapter and Chapter 1.18 BCC.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 6929, passed July 14, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 23.20 BCC defines a 'dangerous building' through an 18-condition list covering structural failure risk, fire and wind resistance below Building Code minimums, inadequate exits, unsanitary dwelling conditions, fire hazards from faulty wiring or heating, and buildings abandoned more than six months that become a nuisance or hazard (BCC 23.20.040). The building official, who under this chapter can include the fire marshal and health officer, has right of entry to inspect a suspected dangerous building at reasonable times, presenting credentials to an occupant or making a reasonable effort to locate the owner if unoccupied (BCC 23.20.050).
Once a building is determined dangerous, BCC 23.20.060 declares it a public nuisance to be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or removal under the civil violation procedures of Chapter 1.18 BCC, with the person responsible subject to a monetary penalty. Under BCC 23.20.070, the building official issues a notice of civil violation (which can skip the voluntary-compliance step for a dangerous building) requiring permits secured and work physically commenced within no more than 60 days of the order, with the building official setting reasonable deadlines for vacating and completing the work or demolition.
If repairs are not vacated or completed on time, the city can post the building to bar occupancy and complete the work itself, charging the cost against the property or owner under BCC 1.18.060. If the violation is not cured and no timely appeal is filed, the building official records a dangerous building certificate with the King County recorder identifying the property, later filing a termination certificate once the building is fixed or demolished. A posted 'Do Not Enter, Unsafe to Occupy' notice makes it a misdemeanor to occupy the building or deface the notice (BCC 23.20.090).
Violations & Fines
Occupying, erecting, altering or maintaining a building in violation of Chapter 23.20 is unlawful and constitutes a civil violation under Chapter 1.18 BCC, carrying a monetary penalty and potential cost-recovery abatement charged against the property. Entering or remaining in a building posted 'Do Not Enter, Unsafe to Occupy,' or removing or defacing that posted notice, is a misdemeanor under BCC 23.20.090. Noncompliance after a civil violation notice with no timely appeal results in a dangerous building certificate recorded against the property at the King County recorder's office.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building 'dangerous' under Bellevue's code?
How long does an owner have to fix a dangerous building in Bellevue?
What happens if a Bellevue owner ignores a dangerous building order?
Sources & Official References
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Property Blight in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle property blight.