Yakima, WA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Yakima's blight rules sit in three overlapping chapters. (1) YMC Chapter 11.40 — adopts the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code with city amendments. YMC 11.40.302.1 (Sanitation): 'Exterior property and premises shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition and shall not constitute a nuisance.' 11.40.302.7 (Accessory structures): detached garages, fences and walls shall be 'maintained structurally sound and in good repair.' 11.40.302.8 (Motor vehicles): 'Except as provided for in other regulations, inoperative motor vehicles shall not be parked, kept or stored on any premises, and vehicles shall not at any time be in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled. Painting of vehicles is prohibited unless conducted inside an approved spray booth.' Exception: a vehicle may undergo major overhaul inside an enclosed structure approved for the purpose. 11.40.302.9 (Parking in the front yard): no utility, recreational, or motor vehicle and/or utility trailer may be parked in the front yard of a residence or business unless on an improved-surface driveway. 11.40.302.10 (Unattended vehicles): 'Leaving vehicles unattended on blocks, jacks, ramps or otherwise elevated above the ground is prohibited' unless garaged, fenced, or screened. 11.40.302.11 (Defacement): no graffiti; owner must restore. (2) YMC Chapter 9.47 (Vehicle Impounds) — 9.47.010(F) defines a 'Junk vehicle' as a motor vehicle 'certified by the chief of police or his designee as meeting at least three of the following requirements: (1) Is three years or older; (2) Is extensively damaged, such damage including, but not limited to, any of the following: a broken window or windshield, or missing wheels, tires, motor, or transmission; (3) Is apparently inoperable; (4) Has a fair market value equal only to the value of the scrap in it.' 9.47.030 implements the state junk-vehicle abatement framework. 9.47.060 — Criminal storage and retention of vehicle hulks on private property. Underlying state authority: RCW 46.55.230 (junk vehicles as public nuisance), RCW 46.55.240 (notice and hearing). (3) YMC Chapter 4.16 — 4.16.020 makes it unlawful to allow accumulation of refuse, ashes, trash or 'other refuse' on premises that becomes 'offensive, unsanitary, unsightly, unsafe to public health, or hazardous to fire.' 4.16.030 authorizes the city manager or designee to issue a notice of abatement; 4.16.050 lets the city abate at the owner's cost. Enforcement: Yakima Office of Code Administration (509-575-6126) and Yakima Police Department on junked-vehicle inspections. Notice procedures follow YMC 11.40.107 (as amended) and YMC 11.40.110/.111.