Marysville, WA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- MMC § 16.20.090
- Trigger
- Structural, fire or sanitation defects
- Remedy ordered
- Repair, vacate, or demolish
- Max penalty
- $300/day, misdemeanor
- City can
- Demolish and lien the property
Summary
A Marysville building found structurally unsafe, fire-damaged or unfit for habitation must be repaired, vacated or demolished under city order; ignoring a final order makes it a public nuisance the city can abate in court or prosecute.
Any dwelling, building or structure which is found pursuant to procedures of this chapter to be a "dangerous building," and which is not repaired, altered, improved, vacated, closed, removed or demolished as required herein, is hereby declared to be a public nuisance. The city shall have the authority to commence civil proceedings for the abatement thereof, and to enforce compliance with the orders entered pursuant to this chapter, in the Snohomish County Superior Court. The cost of such proceedings, including reasonable attorney's fees, shall be assessed against the property owners or other party in interest.
(2) It is unlawful for any person to maintain a public nuisance, as defined above, or to willfully omit or refuse to comply with an order entered pursuant to this chapter to repair, alter, improve, vacate, close, remove or demolish a "dangerous building." Any person found guilty of such criminal acts or omissions, by judgment of the Marysville police court, shall be punished by imposition of a fine not to exceed $300.00. Each day's violation shall constitute a separate offense punishable hereunder. (Ord. 1102 § 8, 1980)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4922912; v1 updated 2026-06-08; through 06-08-2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 16.20 MMC lets the building official and city engineer investigate, hold a hearing, and order an owner to repair, vacate or demolish any 'dangerous building' -- one with defects such as structural failure, fire damage, or unsanitary/unsafe conditions (MMC § 16.20.010). If the owner ignores a final order, MMC § 16.20.090 declares the building a public nuisance: the city can sue for abatement in Snohomish County Superior Court, recover attorney's fees, and pursue criminal charges.
Violations & Fines
Maintaining a dangerous building after a final order is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $300 per day; the city may also demolish the building and lien the property for the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don't fix a condemned building in Marysville?
Who decides a Marysville building is 'dangerous'?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Marysville
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Property Blight in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Snohomish County handle property blight.