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King County, WA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Trigger
structure unsafe, unfit, or unlawful
Legal status
declared a public nuisance
Enforcement
K.C.C. Title 23 procedures
Scope
unincorporated King County only
Placard tampering
misdemeanor, K.C.C. 16.14.220

Summary

In unincorporated King County, any building the code official finds unsafe, unfit for occupancy, or unlawful is declared a public nuisance and must be repaired, rehabilitated, demolished, or removed.

City-specific rules exist: Renton, Kent, Auburn, Seattle, Bellevue, Federal Way, and Kirkland have their own property blight rules that differ from King County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

All buildings, portions thereof or premises which are determined by the code official not to be in compliance with this Code are hereby declared to be a public nuisance and shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or removal in accordance with the procedures specified in K.C.C. Title 23. (Ord. 19485 § 125, 2022: Ord. 14914 § 347, 2004: Ord. 14111 § 132, 2001: Ord. 12560 § 110, 1996. Formerly K.C.C. 16.16.040; 16.04.050107).

Source: King County Code EnforcementView official code

Full Breakdown

King County amends IPMC Section 107 in K.C.C. 16.14.110: noncompliant buildings, portions, or premises are "hereby declared to be a public nuisance" and must be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal under the enforcement procedures in K.C.C. Title 23. K.C.C. 16.14.150 further defines an unsafe structure as one dangerous to life, health, property or safety from missing fire safeguards, unsafe equipment, decay, or a structurally unstable foundation. This applies countywide only in unincorporated areas -- Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Auburn, Redmond, Kirkland and other incorporated cities enforce their own building codes.

Violations & Fines

Code official issues notice and order under K.C.C. Title 23; noncompliance can lead to county-ordered repair, demolition, or removal with costs charged to the owner. Removing or defacing a posted vacate placard before repairs are completed is a misdemeanor under K.C.C. 16.14.220.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this cover Seattle?
No. Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton and other incorporated cities have their own building codes; K.C.C. Title 16 governs unincorporated areas only.
What can the county do to an unsafe building?
The code official can condemn it and order repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal, following notice procedures in K.C.C. Title 23.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in King County

Vacant Lot MaintenanceSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsLight RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions

All King County rules

Compare King County to another location·View the Washington property maintenance overview

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Property Blight in Cities Across King County

Seattle, WABellevue, WAKent, WARenton, WAFederal Way, WAKirkland, WAAuburn, WARedmond, WA