Sammamish requires vacant land and vacant structures to be kept clean, safe, secure and sanitary under SMC 16.25.195(3), so they do not cause a blighting problem. Premises must be graded to prevent stagnant water (SMC 16.25.200(2)). The City may order a vacant, unfit structure closed and placarded under SMC 16.25.155.
Sammamish addresses vacant property through SMC Chapter 16.25. SMC 16.25.195(3) states: 'All vacant structures and premises thereof or vacant land shall be maintained in a clean, safe, secure and sanitary condition as provided herein so as not to cause a blighting problem or adversely affect the public health or safety.' SMC 16.25.200(2) (Grading and Drainage) requires all premises to be graded and maintained 'to prevent the erosion of soil and to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water,' except for approved retention areas and reservoirs — the closest local standard to a standing-water nuisance on a vacant lot. SMC 16.25.200(1) requires all exterior property to be kept clean, safe and sanitary, and SMC 16.25.225 bars any accumulation of rubbish or garbage. Where a vacant structure is unfit for human habitation and not in danger of collapse, SMC 16.25.155 authorizes the code official to placard it and order it closed and secured so it is not an attractive nuisance, securing openings with painted structural-panel sheathing if the owner fails to act; the cost becomes a lien on the property. Note: Sammamish's code does NOT set a numeric weed or grass height limit for vacant lots (see Weeds & Grass). Violations are public nuisances under SMC 23.30.010 and enforced under Title 23.
Letting a vacant lot or vacant structure become blighted, unsanitary, insecure, or pooled with stagnant water violates SMC 16.25.195 and 16.25.200. An unfit vacant building may be closed and placarded under SMC 16.25.155, with securing costs charged as a lien. Civil penalties under SMC 23.100.010 run $250–$1,000 per day, and the City may abate.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Sammamish does not prohibit backyard composting, and curbside yard waste/compost collection is available citywide. Curbside garbage, recycling, and yard-wast...
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Artificial turf is allowed in Sammamish and counts as 'yard area' for landscaping purposes. However, the city's surface water rules (based on the King County...
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Sammamish encourages native and drought-tolerant landscaping and requires it in certain contexts. The landscaping code (SDC 21.07.070) calls for drought-tole...
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Rainwater harvesting is legal in Sammamish and across Washington. Under a 2009 Washington Department of Ecology policy, collecting rooftop rainwater for on-s...
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The City of Sammamish runs no water utility and imposes no mandatory citywide watering restrictions. Water comes from special-purpose districts — chiefly Sam...
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Sammamish does not set a numeric weed-height limit, but its landscaping standards (SDC 21.07.070) prohibit any plant on the King County noxious weed list acr...
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