Clark County, WA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- CCC 9.24.010 nuisances
- Urban debris limit
- One cubic yard visible
- Rural debris limit
- Two cubic yards front/side
- Enforcer
- County Code Enforcement
- Typical cleanup
- About 30 days
Summary
In unincorporated Clark County, accumulated junk, debris, and abandoned objects visible from adjacent property are a code nuisance. Urban areas allow no more than one cubic yard of debris; rural areas up to two cubic yards in front and side yards.
The outside accumulation of more than one (1) cubic yard of waste, rubbish and trash, including but not limited to bottles, cans, glass, wire, broken crockery, broken plaster and any other similar abandoned, discarded or unused material, which is visible from an adjacent property or road, unless kept in covered waste receptacles.
Full Breakdown
Clark County Code 9.24.010 declares the outside accumulation of waste, rubbish, and trash, and the outdoor storage of abandoned or unused objects such as tires, furniture, stoves, and refrigerators, to be nuisances when visible from an adjacent property or road. Code Enforcement, part of Community Development, investigates complaints, contacts the property owner, and monitors until the nuisance is cleaned up. Covered waste receptacles and household compost piles are exempt. Cities like Vancouver, Camas, and Washougal enforce their own municipal nuisance codes.
Violations & Fines
Civil code violation abated by Code Enforcement; owner receives notice and cleanup timeline, typically about 30 days. Unresolved cases can lead to fines and county-performed abatement liens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a covered trash can count as blight?
Who enforces blight in Vancouver?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clark County
Compare Clark County to another location·View the Washington property maintenance overview
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