White Salmon council clarifies hearing-examiner authority in municipal code amendment

The White Salmon City Council on March 18 adopted Ordinance No. 2026-03-1185, amending Section 2.21.010 of the White Salmon Municipal Code to establish a formal hearing-examiner process for code compliance matters and to clarify the examiner’s scope of authority.

Code Compliance Officer Jenne Patterson told the council the amendment addresses a gap in current code by creating a mechanism for hearings on violations within Chapter 2 rather than creating a separate process under Title 8. During council questions, City Attorney Shawn MacPherson and the mayor explained that appeals to Superior Court under the Land Use Petition Act apply only to land-use decisions; for general code compliance violations, the hearing examiner’s decision would represent the City’s final determination unless an ordinance expressly provides otherwise.

Council Member Doug Rainbolt raised concerns that the language in subsection B(3) could be read broadly and might unintentionally expand the examiner’s responsibilities. Mayor Marla Keethler said the broader wording was intended to provide flexibility but agreed the code should be clarified so the examiner’s authority is activated only when explicitly assigned in municipal code. The council moved and adopted the ordinance with a revision to subsection B(3) to emphasize express assignment; the motion passed 4-0.

What changed: The amendment creates a consolidated, Chapter 2–based hearing process for code compliance matters and includes clarifying language that the hearing examiner’s authority is not open-ended but applies only where the municipal code expressly grants it.

Next steps: The ordinance amendment takes effect per municipal code timelines; staff will update code references and procedures to reflect the clarified role of the hearing examiner.