Seattle enforces property maintenance standards through the Housing and Building Maintenance Code (SMC 22.206) and the Chronic Nuisance Properties ordinance (SMC 10.09), requiring owners to maintain properties free of blight and nuisance conditions.
The Housing and Building Maintenance Code requires all buildings and structures to be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition. Exterior property maintenance requirements include keeping structures free from deterioration, maintaining paint and siding, securing vacant buildings, preventing accumulation of junk and debris, and maintaining yards and landscaping. The Chronic Nuisance Properties ordinance allows the city to take action against properties with repeated code violations or police calls. SDCI enforces building maintenance standards through complaint-based inspections and proactive enforcement in some areas. The code applies to both occupied and vacant properties. Owners of vacant buildings must register them with SDCI and maintain them in a secured condition.
Property maintenance violations can result in notices of violation, fines of up to $150 per day for ongoing violations, and ultimately civil penalties. For chronic nuisance properties, the city may seek court orders requiring abatement and may recover enforcement costs from the property owner. Severe cases may result in condemnation.
Seattle, WA
Seattle's Land Use Code allows residential lawn ornaments, statuary, and yard art without permits provided structures do not exceed accessory-structure heigh...
Seattle, WA
Seattle does not regulate residential inflatable holiday decorations by size or type. Standard Noise Ordinance (SMC 25.08) limits apply to blower-motor noise...
Seattle, WA
Seattle has no ordinance restricting when residents may put up or take down holiday lights. The general Noise Ordinance SMC 25.08 applies to any amplified ou...
Seattle, WA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Seattle require building permits from SDCI when they include new electrical, plumbing, gas piping, or a structural roof under Se...
Seattle, WA
Backyard wood and pellet smokers in Seattle are allowed at single-family homes but are subject to Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) Regulation I, Section ...
Seattle, WA
Seattle Fire Code Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas containers larger than 1 lb on combustible balconies of multi-family buildi...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how other cities in King County handle property blight.
See how Seattle's property blight rules stack up against other locations.
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