Read the Code: SMC 10.08.040
Owners and occupants of property within the City must remove or destroy all grass; weeds; shrubs; bushes; trees and vegetation growing or which has grown and died; and all debris that is a fire hazard or a detriment to the public health, safety, or welfare. Fire Hazard season is from May 1st – November 1st.
The Fire Official or Code Enforcement Officer considers the following when determining whether or not a site is a fire hazard:
The Fire Hazard code doesn't cover vegetation that is less than 10 inches in length, vegetation that is too sparse to spread fire, times of the year where consecutive days of 70 degrees or hotter have not occurred, it does not cover vegetation that is not within 10 feet of a combustible structure.
If there is debris, it must be of considerable dryness and flammability to be able to combust and spread. Most cases of debris are not dealt with as a fire hazard but as a solid waste issue.
Read the Code: SMC 10.10.090
Form of visual communication involving the unauthorized marking of public or private space by an individual or group, either by etching or spray paint.
Any markings, art or murals that are done with the consent and permission of the property owner.
Failure to remove graffiti within ten days after receipt of notification is a class 4 civil infraction. Each day of a continuing violation is a separate offense.
Citizens can report graffiti through My Spokane on the City of Spokane's website, and then click graffiti. You may also reach it here. The online portal can be used via computer or using a smartphone or tablet.
When reporting through the online portal the complainant pin the location of the graffiti on the map; the complainant may also submit photos (up to three). What are the photos used for? Photos of graffiti are given to the Code Enforcement Officer for inspection as well as to Spokane Police Department to build a case in the event that a tagger is prosecuted for graffiti; SPD can charge restitution based on the photo evidence of graffiti. The complainant is given a case number once the complaint is submitted
Reporting can also be done by filling out and mailing in a Code Enforcement Complaint Form, or by visiting your local COPS location. You may also call Code Enforcement at 509.625.6083 to make a report.
If graffiti is on your own property you do not need to fill out a complaint form, you may call Crime Check at 509.456.2233 and provide them with a picture of the graffiti to help Spokane Police Department in building cases against taggers.
Property owners can take steps to prevent graffiti tagging on their property. Here are a few tips to keep you property graffiti-free.
There are several methods of removing graffiti, the most common being simply to paint over it. Per the City of Spokane Municipal code, 10.10.090, property owners are required to remove the graffiti within ten (10) days of notification from the City of Spokane.
Read the Code: SMC 10.08.010
A form of littering whereby the disposal or disposing of greater than (1) cubic foot. Examples of illegal dumping are as follows: Depositing or disposing of any garbage, litter or discarded items in any public place, Public Park or in the waters within the City limits. Depositing garbage, litter or discarded items on the private property of another without the property owner's permission. Depositing any garbage, litter or discarded items into any garbage can, dumpster or other receptacle located on the property of another, except for containers placed in an area and designated for public use.
Illegal dumps do not include taking care of people who live in unsanitary conditions. If the inside of a person's house is a concern, please contact Regional Health District.
If an illegal dump is in the right-of-way contact Spokane Litter Control Crew at 1.509.625.6083. If an illegal dump is on private property, it is necessary to fill out a complaint form with the City of Spokane Code Enforcement Office.
Fines for illegal dumping are as follows:
Read the Code: SMC 10.16
Junk Vehicles are considered a public nuisance because they are more than just an eyesore. They detract from the residential aspect of the neighborhood and reduce the property values. They can be hazardous to children and often have sharp edges, broken glass and are up on unsteady jacks, etc. They are often left in open areas where they are noticed by many people and have toxic fluids and other material there are often found to be on the ground.
Junk Vehicle means a vehicle certified under RCW 46.55.230 as meeting at least three of the following requirements:
Junk vehicles are more than just an ugly car you are tired of seeing. Exceptions to Chapter 10.16 include vehicles that are completely enclosed within a building in a lawful manner where it is not visible from the street or other public or private property; or stored or parked in a lawful manner on private property in connection with the business of a licensed dismantler or licensed vehicle dealer and is fenced according to the provisions of RCW 46.80.130.
Failure to comply may result in a citation of $513 a day or order the removal, at the cost to the owner (see abatement.)
On the property: If you have a junk vehicle on your property with no title call a towing company that also does junk vehicle affidavits. After receiving the affidavit, or if you already have a title, here is a list of local towing companies:
Read the code: SMC 17C
A land use violation is making any use of a property or structure other than the permitted uses for that zone found in the Spokane Municipal Code Title 17C.110-340.
Common land use violations include; parking in the front yard, continuous yard sales, recreational camping; home business regulations, signs, residential fencing, animals, setback area, living in a garage, shed or other illegal structure.
Read the Code: SMC's 17C, 17F, 12.01, and 12.02.
Right of way violations include blocking a pedestrian path, broken sidewalks, collapsed retaining walls, modifications of grade, basketball hoops, skateboard ramps, piles of materials or buildings in the right of way, vegetation obstruction. The purpose of Chapter 12.02 is to regulate and control the obstruction of the public right-of-way in the City so that those rights-of-way remain accessible and safe for their intended public use.
Section 12.02.948 defines “right-of-way” as that strip of land: a.) dedicated for public travel, including the main traveled portions of the streets and sidewalks as well as parking or planting strips, pedestrian buffer strips, and other associated areas, or over which is built, public streets, sidewalks, or alleys for public travel; or b.) used for or dedicated to utilities installation within the right-of-way.
The “right-of-way” is typically an easement over the land of the abutting property owner.
Right-of-way violations do not include items that are located on private property that are not obstructing public right of way.
This code does not apply to private property driveways or walkways or operations by municipal crews.
Read the Code: See SMC 10.08.010 for the entire code. SMC 13.02.0224, SMC 13.02.0242.
Solid waste includes rubbish, refuse, garbage, discarded items, and all waste materials of every kind and description.
The ordinance does not include items such as toys, tools or yard art which may present a cluttered appearance are not a violation.
A violation of this section is one of the following:
Accumulation of solid waste, including garbage, refuse, or any malodorous, unhealthful, flammable, or putrescent materials on the premises is considered a public nuisance and is susceptible to abatement by the City, with or without prior notice. These abatements would be at the expense and liability of the premises owner and/or the person causing or maintaining the premises. They are charged based on time, distance of haul, accessibility of staff, vehicles and equipment to materials, number and kind of workers, equipment used, volumes or weights of materials removed or any combination of these variables. The Litter Control crew may trim any trees, shrubbery or remove any obstructions or obstacles to the safe and efficient collection of material to be removed. Any charges for such action may be added to the bill for the solid waste service.
Unpaid charges within 30 days of the service may become a lien against the property as per SMC 13.02.0242.
Read the Code: SMC 17F.070.400 & .410. For further information refer to SMC Chapter 14F.070.
In determining whether a building is a substandard or unfit for human habitation so as to require its owner to repair and rehabilitate the building, the building official and the hearing examiner consider the number and extent of the following factors:
Substandard Buildings does not include buildings that are apparently unattractive; they must meet one or more of the above listed factors.
Please note: there will be no hearing on December 24th and December 31st.