Create a Thriving Business District

BUILDING/ FIRE CODE VIOLATIONS

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is responsible for inspecting privately owned buildings and property for compliance with existing building and property maintenance codes. DPD also works with other departments, such as the Seattle Police and Fire Departments, to solve problems with fire hazards and criminal use of private buildings.

If there is a building or property site in your area that is a considerable “eyesore,” there is a good chance it is in violation of the Housing & Building Maintenance or Land Use Code. You can call the Complaint Hotline at 206-684-7899 to report suspected violations. If you wish to remain anonymous you may do so; you can obtain a case number and the name of the inspector assigned to the case after a few days by calling back or checking online. Once a complaint is made, its status is available online at: http://www.seattle.gov/DPD/enforcement.

Weeds, substandard housing, accumulation of junk outdoors and vacant buildings are all possible issues that you can report to DPD.

Frequently asked questions:

What can we do about a vacant building in our district without secured windows and doors?

Call DPD Complaint Hotline at 206-684-7899 to report vacant residential buildings. DPD will contact the owner and require that they secure windows and doors and encourage the owner to post No Trespassing signs. DPD keeps a list of vacant buildings with recently corrected violations and inspects them quarterly for three consecutive quarters to insure that they meet standards for vacant buildings, including securing them against entry and weather.

The Fire Department Inspectors will investigate inquiries usually within four days of receipt or immediately if a life-endangering situation exists. For non-residential buildings call the Fire Marshal at 206-386-1450. Non-residential vacant buildings are not routinely inspected on a quarterly basis by DPD.

When are trees and vegetation illegal?

If trees and vegetation overgrow into the street, alley or create a traffic hazard, then they may be a “public nuisance. ” Call the DPD Complaint Hotline at 206-684-7899 to report.