Vacant Building Standards
See also: Buildings Unfit for Human Habitation, Vacant Buildings
What Is It?
Vacant buildings in Seattle must be secured and maintained to prevent unauthorized entry and deterioration from the weather. Premises also need to be kept free of debris, overgrown vegetation, parked cars, and graffiti. Seattle’s Housing and Building Maintenance Code contains our vacant building maintenance standards.
Vacant buildings that do not meet our standards or are in the development process will be placed in the vacant building monitoring program. We will inspect buildings in this program monthly. We will charge you fees ranging from $336.82 to $781.84 depending on if your building is open to entry and if there are uncorrected violations. Buildings that have 3 consecutive monthly inspections with no violations found will be removed from the program.
What It Isn’t
This ordinance does not cover:
- Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Buildings Unfit for Human Habitation or Other Use, SMC 22.208
- Unauthorized tresspassing and criminal activity, in vacant buildings; contact the Seattle Police Department
- Graffiti; contact the graffiti hotline at (206) 625-5011
- Rodent (e.g., rat) infestation; contact the Seattle-King County Health Department at (206) 263-9566