Edmonds, WA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Planning and development director
- Trigger
- Substantial threat of collapse or failure
- Penalty track
- Civil enforcement or criminal misdemeanor
- Abatement venue
- Snohomish County Superior Court warrant
- Frivolous complaint fine
- Up to $500 civil infraction
Summary
Edmonds treats a decayed, damaged or disrepaired structure that poses a substantial threat of collapse as a public nuisance under ECC 6.20.042(D)(1). The planning and development director enforces the chapter and can pursue civil enforcement, criminal misdemeanor prosecution, or a court-ordered abatement warrant.
6.20.042 Health and safety nuisances. ... The following actions or conditions have a direct impact on public health and are declared to be public nuisances: ... ... D. Hazardous Conditions, Substances or Materials. The following conditions or actions are declared to be public nuisances: 1. Any structure or other constructed object not governed by the International Building Code that is decayed, damaged, or in disrepair and poses a substantial threat of collapse, structural failure or falling. ... 6.20.050 Enforcement and abatement. A. Responsibility for Enforcement. The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the planning and development director or his/her designee. ... ... C. Penalties. Any person violating this chapter shall be subject to civil enforcement proceedings pursuant to Chapter 20.110 ECDC and/or criminal misdemeanor prosecution.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 4444, passed August 3, 2026).
Full Breakdown
042(D)(1)). This sits alongside other health and safety nuisances in the same section: unstable embankments or fill threatening collapse, unlawful storage of toxic or flammable materials, and unpermitted obstructions or excavations in public rights-of-way. 050(B)). 110. 050(D)). 050(E)).
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 6.20 exposes the responsible party to civil enforcement proceedings under ECDC Chapter 20.110 and/or criminal misdemeanor prosecution (ECC 6.20.050(C)). Abatement costs, including attorneys' fees, staff time and contractor expenses, are recovered from the responsible party, and a warrant of abatement can be sought from Snohomish County Superior Court if notice is ignored. Filing a frivolous complaint under this chapter is itself a civil infraction punishable by a fine of up to $500.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a structure a nuisance in Edmonds?
Who enforces dangerous structure nuisances?
Can Edmonds abate a dangerous structure itself?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Edmonds
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Property Blight in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Snohomish County handle property blight.