Federal Way, WA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Federal Way's property maintenance standards in Federal Way Revised Code Title 13 adopt the International Property Maintenance Code with local amendments and give Code Compliance broad authority to address blight and nuisance conditions. Violations include accumulation of junk, trash, debris, inoperable vehicles, tires, and scrap metal on the property; broken windows and doors left unrepaired; peeling or graffiti-covered exterior walls; sagging or missing roof coverings; stagnant water that breeds mosquitoes; rat and rodent harborage; and vegetation overgrowth that blocks sight lines or encroaches on sidewalks. Dangerous buildings declared unsafe under FWRC Title 13 must be secured within 30 days or demolished. Graffiti must be removed or covered promptly after notice under FWRC Title 1. The enforcement process starts with a courtesy notice or voluntary compliance agreement, escalates to a Notice and Order with civil penalties of 100 to 500 dollars per day under FWRC Title 1, and can lead to city abatement with costs assessed as a lien on the property. Chronic nuisance properties tied to repeated criminal activity may be declared under RCW 7.43. Report blighted properties to Federal Way Code Compliance at 253-835-2641 or through the city's online complaint form.