SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to pass The Chronic Nuisance Properties ordinance.
This ordinance sets tougher penalties for owners who don’t fix nuisance problems on their land. It also gives owners a clearer reason to work with the city to resolve them.
“After talking with businesses, residents and the Spokane Police Department, we updated our nuisance code. It now sets specific deadlines and clearer language, so owners are held accountable and problems get fixed faster,” said Council Member Paul Dillon. “We don’t expect property owners to solve every issue in this city. But we need clear legal standards for dealing with the harm that nuisance activity can cause.”
City leaders say stronger penalties and firmer deadlines will push owners to address problems on their properties and to sign agreements to resolve them.
“When a nuisance property causes problems in a neighborhood, residents shouldn’t have to wait months for action,” said Council Member Kate Telis. “This ordinance will help the city act faster and make Spokane’s neighborhoods safer and healthier for everyone.”
Under the ordinance, a property counts as a chronic nuisance if:
It is abandoned.Police have reported search warrants and evidence of drug activity there at least twice.Nuisance activity is observed at least three times within 60 days, or at least seven times within 12 months.
The ordinance also explains how owners must be notified of a nuisance property. It adds language on penalties when someone obstructs a city employee doing their job.
The ordinance takes effect January 1, 2027, or on the date specified in Section 19 of the City Charter, whichever is later.
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