Council approves stricter property-maintenance code despite business and property-owner objections

The Spokane City Council on July 14 approved an ordinance that revises property-maintenance and use standards, consolidating multiple code sections into a single chapter and adding provisions on weed abatement, derelict vehicles and security measures on vacant properties. Brad Barnett, president of the Spokane Business Association, told the council the business community supports consistent property standards but warned the draft could "allow code enforcement to require vacant property owners to install private security measures, and cameras without any clear threshold." Barnett urged clearer, documented criteria before the city could force additional security measures citing potential unpredictable costs and the risk of deterring investment. Council debate was sharply divided. Council member Cathcart said the ordinance was not ready and voted against it, citing lack of vetting and missing thresholds. Council member Bingle and others argued the package provides needed tools to address long-standing problems such as boarded properties, graffiti and long-term abandoned vehicles, but said they regretted missed opportunities for broader stakeholder engagement. Council member Klitsky described the graffiti provision as requiring paint that "matches or coordinates" with the exterior, and defended new weed-abatement standards and enforcement of derelict vehicles as necessary tools for neighborhoods. Council member McCluskey and others said they had met with stakeholders and staff; several council members said code enforcement uses an education-first approach and would not immediately "show up with the hammer." The ordinance passed 4–2. Council members who opposed it said the city should have deferred to solicit wider input; supporters said code enforcement needs the consolidated authority to act on chronic nuisance properties. The ordinance amends multiple sections of the Spokane Municipal Code as listed in the agenda packet and directs implementation to code enforcement and relevant city departments; council requested that staff share the administration's written response to a business-letter before final implementation.