Sammamish, WA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

150(1) gives the code official authority to condemn any structure or piece of equipment found unsafe, unfit for human occupancy, unlawful, or a dangerous building. Subsection (2) defines an unsafe structure as one dangerous to life, health, property or public safety because it lacks minimum fire safeguards or is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe, of faulty construction, or on an unstable foundation that partial or complete collapse is possible. Subsection (6) lists 15 specific conditions that make a building dangerous, including exits too narrow or unsafe for fire evacuation, structural stress exceeding one and one-half times allowed working stress, damage from fire, earthquake, wind or flood that undercuts structural strength below current code minimums, walls that lean beyond a plumb line falling within one-third of the base, damage or deterioration of 33 percent or more of supporting members, abandonment for over six months creating an attractive nuisance, and conditions the fire marshal determines to be a fire hazard.

A structure can also be deemed unfit for human occupancy under subsection (4) when disrepair leaves it unsanitary, vermin- or rat-infested, or lacking required ventilation, sanitary or heating facilities. 145 without first giving the buyer a copy of the order and getting back a notarized acceptance of responsibility for the required repairs. 25 additionally covers notice, placarding, prohibited occupancy, emergency measures and demolition.