Lacey, WA Rental Inspections: Tenant Complaint Process (2026)

Lacey Municipal Code § 14.16.016 amends the International Property Maintenance Code, which the City of Lacey adopts in LMC 14.16.010, by adding Section 104.3.1, Initial Inspection and Enforcement. Under it, an initial enforcement determination is undertaken against a building or property whenever the building official has reason to believe a violation of the code exists, or a complaint is filed with the department by any person. Tenants are treated differently from other complainants: where a complaint has been filed by a tenant, the tenant must first exhaust all remedies provided through the Washington State Landlord Tenant Act. The exception is a case with circumstances that give evidence of an immediate life safety or health condition warranting an immediate response by the department.

The City of Lacey keeps landlord contact data to support that response. The purpose clause of the rental registration chapter, LMC 14.02.020, says registration exists so the city can respond quickly and accurately if a complaint is filed against a property. Complexes of five or more dwelling units register under Chapter 14.02, so the owner or agent of record is on file.

Once a violation is found, the amended code spells out service and hearing steps. Under Section 107.3 a notice is properly served if it is delivered personally, sent by certified mail with return receipt requested to the last known address, or, if the notice comes back undelivered, posted in a conspicuous place in or about the structure. The complaint must state that a hearing will be held before the code official not less than ten days nor more than thirty days after service, and the parties in interest can file an answer, appear in person or otherwise, and give testimony. A copy is also filed with the county auditor.

Section 106.3 says any person failing to comply with a notice of violation or order served under Section 107 is deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and the code official institutes proceedings to restrain, correct or abate the violation or to end an unlawful occupancy. Any action the city takes on the premises is charged against the real estate and is a lien on it. Section 108.2 lets the code official post a placard of condemnation and order a vacant structure closed if it is unfit for human habitation, with costs recoverable under LMC 14.16.015.