Due to staff reductions in 2011, we will respond to selected lower priority issues and violations by mailing information to a property occupant or taxpayer of record for issues with a lower impact. Examples include vegetation overgrowth which does not present a danger for pedestrians or vehicle drivers, and minor junk storage.
Each year DPD responds to over 5,000 complaints pertaining to minimum housing standards, land use violations, shorelines, tenant relocation assistance, just cause eviction, and vacant and unfit buildings.
Potential Code Violations
IMPORTANT: Before reporting a potential code violation, please read all the information on this page.
In most instances, DPD begins investigating a code violation and taking enforcement action when a citizen reports a potential violation (see list of common violations). If you think you know of a potential violation, you may report it as outlined below.
If the violation can be observed only for a short period of time (for example, a tree being cut) please report the violation to DPD by telephone at (206) 615-0808 as soon as possible during business hours. This will enable a faster response.
- Use our online Code Violation Complaint Form.
- Call the DPD Violation Complaint Line at (206) 615-0808.
- Visit DPD Code Compliance staff in person
700 Fifth Ave., 19th floor
M,Tu,Th, F: 8:00 a.m - 4:30 p.m., W: 10:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Send a letter to DPD Code Compliance, 700 Fifth Ave., Suite 2000, P.O. Box 34019, Seattle, WA 98124-4019.
If you want to report a potential code violation, please provide the exact address of the property where you believe a violation exists or the address of an adjacent property. If there is a building permit or large sign posted on the site of a violation, please also provide the project or permit number. Our ability to locate and confirm a violation is improved if you provide as much detail as possible.
In cases in which inspection of the interior of a dwelling unit or structure is required, a contact name and number of someone who can let the inspector inside is very helpful. The inspector must observe a violation before enforcement action can be taken. This contact information will make it more likely that the inspector will be able to gain entry to observe interior violations. If neither the property owner nor resident will provide access, we will be able to address only exterior violations we observe.
You need not give your name, unless you are using the online report option. However, when giving your name you may request that the department not release your identity in connection with the investigation. (You should be aware, however, that if enforcement action results in court proceedings, it may not be possible to keep your name confidential.)
If you do provide your name and a contact telephone number and address, you may request to be contacted by the inspector investigating the reported violation.
If you do not identify yourself, you can call the DPD Violation Complaint Line later at (206) 615-0808 to ask the name and telephone number of the inspector assigned to investigate your report or you may check the complaint status online. Inspectors are usually assigned to a complaint within a week of the initial call.
Checking Complaint Status
You may track the complaint investigation process online or contact the DPD inspector assigned to the case directly (contact information). To obtain the complaint status, you will need either the address of the property or the case number.
When checking the status online, please take note of when the investigation process was last updated. If your report was made since the most recent website update, the current status information will not yet be available.