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. Seattle’s Housing and Building Maintenance Code contains our vacant building maintenance standards.

Vacant buildings that do not meet our standards may be placed in the vacant building monitoring program. We will inspect buildings in this program monthly. We will charge you fees ranging from $271.85 to $542.60 depending on if your building is open to entry and if there are uncorrected violations.

What It Isn’t

This ordinance does not cover:

Read the Code

Recent Changes

The Vacant Building Monitoring program changed on June 1, 2019.

  • Fees increased and now range from $271.85 to $542.60 depending on building condition
  • The frequency of inspections increased from quarterly to monthly
  • All development projects that include a vacant building will be enrolled in the monitoring program
  • Any property with new violations for which a Notice of Violation has been issued in the past will be enrolled in the monitoring program

Construction and Inspections

Nathan Torgelson, Director
Address: 700 5th Ave, Suite 2000, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 34019, Seattle, WA, 98124-4019
Phone: (206) 684-8600
Phone Alt: Violation Complaint Line: (206) 615-0808
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SDCI issues land use, construction, and trade permits, conducts construction and housing-related inspections, ensures compliance with our codes, and regulates rental rules. SDCI is committed to an antiracist workplace and to addressing racism through our work in the community.