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Mountlake Terrace council adopts code changes tightening nuisance definitions, capping penalties
Summary
Council approved amendments to Mountlake Terrace Municipal Code chapters on nuisance enforcement to define 'yards,' set limits on stored materials, regulate heavy equipment and backyard camping, and cap penalties with exceptions for unsafe conditions.
Mountlake Terrace — The Mountlake Terrace City Council voted Feb. 20 to adopt amendments to the city’s code compliance chapters, adjusting definitions and penalties aimed at streamlining enforcement and addressing recurring nuisance issues.
The ordinance amends Mountlake Terrace Municipal Code (MTMC) sections 1.15 and 8.15 to add a clear definition of “yard” in the nuisance chapter, create new definitions and restrictions for heavy equipment and commercial vehicles in residential areas, set a 90‑day limit for stored building materials unless tied to an active permit, and adopt rules for limited backyard camping modeled on the city’s RV-occupancy rules. The council also approved caps on certain penalty categories while providing an exception where violations create “unsafe conditions.”
City Code Compliance Officer Laura Stevenson presented the package, saying the change to define yard in the nuisance chapter will remove confusion between zoning and nuisance enforcement and “make sure the rules are consistently applied.” Stevenson described other elements of the package, including a proposed 90‑day limit on stored construction materials unless directly tied to a permit and a backyard camping rule based on the city’s existing RV occupancy guidelines. “This is the first wave of proposed updates to the code related to code compliance,” she said.
Stevenson told council that most violations are corrected before fees apply, but penalties and fees can accumulate and have created hesitancy to enforce the code. The adopted language places caps on many penalty categories — for example, lower caps for vegetation or vehicle nuisances and higher caps for illegal demolition of commercial property — while aligning the definition of “unsafe conditions” with the International Building Code so unsafe‑condition cases remain outside the caps.
Council members who spoke during the discussion expressed support for the changes. Council Member Murray thanked staff for addressing gaps in the code and said the changes will better meet residents’ needs. There were no public speakers at the hearing. The council opened and closed the public hearing on the matter and then voted to approve the ordinance.
The ordinance is intended to clarify enforcement boundaries, limit indefinite storage of materials, provide consistent rules for temporary backyard camping and allow the city to apply penalty caps without reducing the city’s ability to address genuinely unsafe situations. Staff said this package is an initial set of changes and anticipates further refinement as the code is applied.
The council vote: motion to approve the amendments to MTMC 1.15 and 8.15 for code compliance — moved by Mayor Pro Tem Tim Wall; seconded; voice vote; motion carries.
Implementation: Community and Economic Development staff will publish the revised code language and begin enforcement under the updated provisions; staff said further refinements may follow as the code is tested.
