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Mountlake Terrace staff report rise in code cases, emphasize ‘instruction before correction’ and outreach
Summary
Code Compliance Officer Laura Stevenson told the Planning Commission that staff handled 383 cases Jan–Oct 2025 (261 closed, 122 open), highlighted two long-running nuisance/building cases resolved after months in court or lengthy remediation, and previewed outreach and training to reduce unpermitted work and parking on lawns.
Code Compliance Officer Laura Stevenson told the Mountlake Terrace Planning Commission on Nov. 24 that the department worked 383 code cases from January through October 2025, of which 261 have been closed and 122 remain open.
Stevenson said building‑related cases account for a larger share of currently open files, often because permits tied to corrective work have not been fully finaled. "There have been 383 cases worked so far," she said. "And of those 261 have been closed and 122 remain open." She described a policy change so staff now keep cases open until permits are completely finaled rather than closing when a permit is merely issued.
The presentation included two detailed examples staff called "high‑impact" cases. In one, Stevenson said a property that…
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