Seattle Council adopts amended chronic-nuisance law after hours of debate

The Seattle City Council on July 15 passed council bill 121006, an amended ordinance that broadens the city's authority to declare and abate chronic nuisance properties and adds procedural guardrails, the council president announced after a 7-1 roll call vote. The measure, which was debated for more than an hour and drew public comment from housing providers and nonprofit advocates, passed with Council member Rink voting no.

Supporters said the ordinance will give the city a targeted tool to address concentrated criminal activity at certain properties, while opponents and public commenters warned it could be misapplied to nonprofits and housing providers. Council members adopted four amendments during the meeting to narrow the bill's scope and add protections for social service providers.

Council President Sarah Nelson opened the committee report for the public safety committee and noted the legislation is part of a broader package to address public safety. "This is…