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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 suffered a raccoon infestation and interior damage later saw renovation work begin without permits; that matter took about 16 months to reach resolution. In a second case, numerous nuisance violations led staff to pursue a superior court order; once a court order was entered, the property owners complied and the site was cleaned up over an extended period (Stevenson described roughly 18–22 months from first filing to final remediation).
Staff emphasized voluntary compliance and stepped outreach. Stevenson described newly published guidance and workflows intended to help residents and contractors understand the enforcement process, and she said the department plans a code‑specific public training session next year. She also recounted two recent incidents in which seniors were scammed by people posing as roofers; department posts with contractor‑scam tips and newsletter notices went out within days.
Building official Matthew Gissle said permitting education will be part of a quarterly outreach program coordinated with code compliance. "Instruction before correction is always where we're leaning," he said, and pledged a social‑media PR campaign using Facebook and Instagram to reach residents before work begins.
Commissioners asked for data and expressed concern about interactions between new zoning limits on driveway width and enforcement of parking on unimproved surfaces. One commissioner warned the combination of more restrictive driveway widths and active enforcement of parking on grass could create hardship for long‑term residents. Staff said they will provide follow‑up information, including outreach plans and enforcement thresholds, and reiterated the preference to educate residents before issuing penalties.
Staff also said they use Google Earth Pro and historical imagery to help establish whether gravel or other surfaces predate a 2006 code change. "We do have Google Earth Pro, so we're able to zoom in. The 2010 view of Mountlake Terrace is great," Stevenson said, noting satellite imagery aids investigations when on‑site views are limited.
No formal action was taken on enforcement policy at the meeting. Commissioners thanked staff for the update and asked staff to return with additional data and implementation details as the outreach and parking‑standards work progresses.
