Examples of code violations
- Violations handled by DDES Code Enforcement
- Violations handled by other agencies
- Drainage or water quality complaints
- Illegal dumping
- Weed infestation
- Animal control complaints
- Air quality complaints
Violations handled by DDES Code Enforcement
Types of violations in unincorporated King County handled by DDES Code Enforcement include, but are not limited to:
- construction without a permit
- substandard housing
- illegally placed mobile homes or factory-assembled structures
- open wells and other hazardous conditions
- dangerous or open-to-entry buildings
- clearing or grading without permits
- irresponsible or hazardous development
- operation of an illegal business
- accumulation of junk and debris
- storage of junk cars
- zoning code infractions
- livestock infractions.
To report a potential violation, see code enforcement complaints.
Nuisance complaints are the most frequent type of case handled by Code Enforcement, comprising about 50 to 60% of all the complaints received. Nuisance complaints involve properties with an accumulation of rubbish or junk including, but not limited to, refuse, garbage, scrap metal, lumber, concrete, asphalt, piles of earth, tires, etc. These properties may also include abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles or vehicle engines.
Most cases are resolved through direct negotiations with the property owner. Officers always first try to get voluntary compliance. For more information, see complaint process at DDES, e-mail CodeEnforcement.Comments@kingcounty.gov, or call DDES Code Enforcement at 206-296-6680.
Violations handled by other agencies
Please note that DDES Code Enforcement is NOT able to help with the following types of complaints in unincorporated King County, which require contacting the agency listed instead.
Drainage or water quality complaints
Contact the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Water and Land Resources Division
Refer to http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/dss/wqcmplnt.htm or call 206-296-1900.
Illegal dumping
Contact the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Solid Waste Division
Refer to http://www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/cleanup/illegal-dumping.asp or call 206-296-SITE (7483) or toll-free 866-431-7483.
Weed infestation
Contact the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Water and Land Resources Division
Refer to http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/LANDS/weeds/infestations-form.cfm, call 206-296-0290, or e-mail noxious.weeds@kingcounty.gov.
Animal control complaints
Contact King County Animal Services
Refer to www.kingcounty.gov/safety/AnimalServices/complaints.aspx or call 206-296-PETS (7387), extension 24.
Air quality complaints
Contact the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
Refer to www.pscleanair.org/actions/complaint (external link) or call 206-343-8800, extension 6, or 800-552-3565, extension 6.