SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. – Spokane County is tackling nuisance properties with a new resolution aimed at making code enforcement easier.
In Commissioner Josh Kerns’ district, nuisance properties have been a consistent issue.
“We’ve seen individuals that are living on properties in motor vehicles, vans, RVs that are not hooked up to any type of septic container to catch the human waste,” Kerns said.
The resolution seeks to change the existing code, introducing civil infractions and decriminalizing nuisances.
These civil infractions could result in a fine of $250 dollars per day.
“We just felt like we needed something that had a little more teeth,” Kerns said.
In their presentation to commissioners, representatives of Spokane County Civil Prosecutors said the current system was ineffective.
“With the way our current civil procedures work, it’s almost like they’re getting a pass because we can’t remedy the situation,” Jameson Dumo said.
The resolution aims to hold property owners accountable by imposing fines if they don’t voluntarily fix the issues. This approach ensures that people have multiple opportunities to comply.
“They have nudge after nudge after nudge towards compliance,” Dumo said.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to address the numerous nuisance code violations seen across the county, by providing a structured path to compliance.
