Mountlake Terrace staff report enforcement results after code compliance moved to Community and Economic Development

Laura Stevenson, the city’s code compliance officer, told the City Council on Jan. 23 that code enforcement moved to the Community and Economic Development (CED) Department in May 2024 and that staff have closed a substantial portion of the previous backlog while opening new cases.

Stevenson said she inherited 97 open cases in May and had closed 60 of those; she subsequently opened 106 new cases and closed 43 of those, for a total of 203 cases worked and 103 closed. She said over half of cases involved building-code issues, frequently missing permits for remodels, additions or accessory structures; nuisance complaints and unsafe-conditions cases (including uninhabitable dwellings) were also common. Stevenson said rental business licenses have been required since 2012 and that CED launched an inspection program to ensure life-safety in rental units after finding tenants living in illegal ADUs, garages or sheds in some properties.

Stevenson explained the city’s enforcement ladder: a pre-enforcement notice for minor violations; voluntary compliance agreements; notices of violation for uncorrected or urgent breaches; final notices prior to fines, assessments or abatements; and, when necessary, abatement or litigation. She said the city has granted reasonable extension requests and that notice-of-violation appeals may be filed to a hearing examiner within 14 days. Since May 2024, the city has had three appeals to the hearing examiner that ruled in the city’s favor; seven code cases proceeded to litigation, one resolved in the city’s favor while six remain pending in Superior Court. Four assessments (daily fines, attorney fees and recording fees) were issued recently; three of those property owners began making progress before the scheduled appeal.

Stevenson highlighted several significant enforcement examples: two long-vacant commercial buildings (the former Red Onion and a nearby dental office) were issued demolition permits after code action; another property with sewer flow under the house and multiple violations was red-tagged as uninhabitable, and its case is now pending in Superior Court. She said the city coordinated with the police department when inspectors found someone living in a makeshift shelter during abatement activity.

Director Christy Osborne said life-safety cases are a top priority and that code staff will return to council with proposed code amendments on Feb. 13 to tighten and clarify enforcement language and fees. Stevenson and Osborne said the majority of corrections are resolved voluntarily and noted the city’s intent to identify supportive resources for residents who are physically or financially unable to comply.

Council members thanked staff for progress on long-standing nuisance properties and asked about coordination with public works, police and external assistance programs for vulnerable residents. Stevenson said urgent sidewalk and vegetation obstructions are often handled quickly by public works when they present immediate hazards; other cases are routed through code enforcement.