Properties in unincorporated King County that generate three or more verified noise, disorderly-conduct, or code calls within a 12-month window may be declared chronic nuisances under King County Code Title 14, exposing owners to abatement orders.
King County's chronic nuisance ordinance applies to any property, including short-term rentals, where law enforcement or code enforcement responds three times in a year for verified offenses such as loud parties, illegal parking, illegal fireworks, or assaults. After the third verified incident, the county may issue a notice requiring the owner to submit an abatement plan; failure to comply allows the prosecutor to seek civil penalties up to $500 per day and an injunction halting STR operation. Seattle runs a parallel program with its own STR-specific strike system tied to operator license suspension after repeat platform complaints.
Three verified police or code responses within twelve months may trigger nuisance designation. Continued operation after a county abatement order can result in $500-per-day civil penalties and operator license revocation in cities that license STRs.
Federal Way, WA
Federal Way permits construction under WAC 173-60.050 exemptions between 7 AM and 10 PM. Sunday work near homes is typically restricted. Work outside the win...
Federal Way, WA
Federal Way prohibits dogs that bark or howl continuously and disturb neighbors under FWRC Title 9. Typical threshold is 20 minutes of continuous noise. Comp...
Federal Way, WA
Outdoor music events in Federal Way need a special event permit on public property or when amplified beyond neighborhood levels. Receiving limits at residenc...
Federal Way, WA
Federal Way limits on-street RV and boat trailer parking to 72 hours. In residential zones, RVs on private property must be parked on a paved or gravel surfa...
Federal Way, WA
Federal Way follows Washington State Building Code EV-ready requirements for new multifamily and commercial buildings. Public chargers exist at the Transit C...
Federal Way, WA
Under RCW 46.55, Federal Way police can tag and tow a vehicle left on a public street for more than 72 hours. On private property, owners follow state impoun...
See how Federal Way's repeat violator strikes rules stack up against other locations.
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