Bothell, WA Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Bothell handles rodent habitat through its nuisance code, not through a stand-alone extermination rule. BMC 8.24.020 E defines a health hazard to include vegetation or refuse which provides a harborage for wild rats or other pests as set forth in RCW Title 17, Weeds, Rodents and Pests, and vegetation, refuse and feces which create a danger of contamination or disease. BMC 8.24.050 H then declares vegetation, refuse or feces constituting a health hazard to be a public nuisance when a responsible person maintains or allows it on real property they have charge of, control or occupy, whether visible or not from any public street, alley or residence.

The duty falls on both the owner and any occupant. Under BMC 8.24.045 A, each must abate the nuisance by destroying, removing or trimming vegetation and removing or destroying any health hazard, and BMC 8.24.045 B 6 extends the duty to vegetation, refuse or feces constituting a health hazard on adjacent planting strips or alleys. Separate from the nuisance chapter, BMC 6.12.040 makes it unlawful to feed wildlife in a way that creates an environment for rats and unsanitary conditions.

Enforcement runs through Chapter 11.20 BMC. The director investigates, then serves a notice of violation stating the provision violated, the corrective action and a reasonable time for compliance. Where a violation threatens health, safety and welfare, that time can be immediately or within the same day. The recipient has 15 calendar days after service to request an appeal to the hearing examiner. If nobody removes the nuisance, BMC 8.24.060 B lets the city clean and level the premises and remove or destroy the nuisance at the owner's or occupant's expense. The bill, plus reasonable legal and administrative costs, is due within 30 days of the billing date, after which the city levies a special assessment and files notice of the lien with the county auditor.