The city of Kent now has an enhanced enforcement tool for code violations involving houses, buildings and other properties in poor condition.
City planning manager Matt Gilbert said this new tool will help the city address dangerous buildings and properties when owners are unwilling to correct code violations.
“We often field complaints from residents about neighborhood properties that are dilapidated or have structural problems, and in some cases, pose a threat to public safety with the increased risk of accidents and public health problems,” Gilbert said in a city media release. “Problems range from fire-damaged or abandoned buildings to garbage accumulation which attracts rodents. Unfortunately, some property owners are unwilling or unable to correct these conditions.”
The City Council approved the new ordinance on Jan. 19. The ordinance takes advantage of a state law which allows cities to fix problems that create a dangerous condition, and then recoup abatement costs by adding them to the annual property tax bills. If unpaid, the abatement costs have top priority for payment, like unpaid taxes.
Gilbert said the city previously could try to recoup the costs, but abatement liens were typically junior to other creditor’s liens, making this an ineffective method of cost recovery.
“We’d use general fund dollars to abate the buildings, and rarely recover the cost, thereby reserving abatement to only the most egregious situations,” Gilbert said.
In order to adopt this authority, state law requires the establishment of a process to ensure every reasonable step has been taken to achieve voluntary compliance before the city adds abatement costs to property tax bill bills.
Those steps include clear definitions of dangerous problems; owner notification and formal meeting requirements; and an appeals process.
Council President Bill Boyce said the new tool is a win-win for residents and the city.
“We can now better respond to complaints about dangerous and dilapidated properties and recover our costs of doing so, while also ensuring a fair and just process for property owners,” Boyce said.
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