Spokane Building Blocks Code Enforcement Presentation January 24th, 2006

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Spokane Building BlocksCode Enforcement
Presentation

• Code Enforcement 101
• A Citizens Guide to
• Spokane City Code Enforcement

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Code Enforcement The Basics

• Our Mission
• To promote Community awareness of and encourage
  compliance with City Municipal Codes to enhance
  the quality of life and foster civic pride.

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City of Spokane Code Enforcement Staff Vehicles

• Code Enforcement Supervisor L. Lanning
• Three Clerks
• One Planner II
• Four Enforcement Officers
• Vehicles 4 cars

• Provides all administrative support for both
• Regional Litter City Code Enforcement

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Why Code Enforcement?A Key to Economic
Development

• Quality of life concerns
• Vibrant community prosperity for all
• Increase business opportunities/venues
• Fostering relocation and tourism efforts
• Rehabilitation and growth of the tax base
• Viable living options for all income levels

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The Spokane Municipal Code

• What is the Municipal Code?
• (commonly referred to as the SMC)
• What part of the Spokane Municipal Code is
  enforced by Code Enforcement?
• Where can I read the Municipal Code?

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Where Can I Read the Spokane Municipal Code?
www.spokanecity.org/services/documents/smc/
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What Does Code Enforcement Do?...Enforcement of
the Municipal Code

• Responsible for certain segments
• not all segments
• Primarily land use issues
• Abandoned vehicles are prime example
• (Right of Way vs. Private Property)

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Current Code ModelCitizen Driven

• Citizen complaint initiates action
• Confidentiality Issues and Concerns
• No application on a subjective basis outside of
  eminent public safety or health

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YOU Can Help Keep Spokane Beautiful!

• Spokane is a desirable location
• Requires vigilant citizens assist Code
  Enforcement
• Thank YOU for your help!

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How to begin the process
www.spokanecity.org or www.spokaneneighborhoods.or
g
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Where to acquire the form

• Code Enforcement Office City Hall
• On-line at
• www.spokanecity.org or
• www.spokaneneighborhoods.org
• Your neighborhood Spokane COPS Shop

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How to submit the form

• By fax at [phone]
• At your local COPS Shop
• By Mail Code Enforcement
• Main Floor Municipal Building, Box 165
• 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd
• Spokane, WA 99201-3333
• In person 1st floor of City Hall (808 W.
  Spokane Falls Blvd)
• FORM MUST BE SIGNED

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Common Violations

• Land Use Violations
• Non-permitted uses of a zone
• Violations of the City Code can be criminal
  and/or civil
• Violators can be prosecuted, issued a citation,
  or suffer some other penalty
• Primary goal to achieve voluntary compliance

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Land Use Junk Vehicles on Private Property

• SMC 10.16
• Junk Vehicle refers to any vehicle certified
  under RCW 46.55.230 meeting at least three of the
  following requirements
• Three years or older
• Extensively damaged such damage including but
  not limited to, any of the following
• a. broken window or windshield
• b. missing wheels or tires
• c. missing motor or transmission
• Apparently inoperable
• Having an approximate fair market value only
  equal to the scrap in it.
• Code can provide Junk Vehicle Affidavits (over
  250 in 2005)
• Towing vouchers made available by AA Auto Salvage

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Abandoned or Junk Vehicle on City Streets

• Abandoned Vehicle Hotline
• 625-4246
• Function of the Spokane Police Department

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Vacant and Dangerous Buildings

• SMC 17F.070
• Responsibility of owner to secure, board,
  rehabilitate, or demolish
• Safeguard the public interest
• Building Official has the authority to order
  boarding of open, vacant buildings
• Building Official also has authority to order
  demolition of unfit buildings
• Abate the public nuisance

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Building Official Hearing Process

• Property owner notified of hearing date and time
• Code supervisor operates as Secretary in the
  hearings process
• The Secretary presents the findings of fact
• Building Official for the City issues directives
  to owner for necessary rehabilitation
• Appellate process is available

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Building Inspector Areas
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The West Central Model

• Impact of neighborhood councils
• Prioritization of concerns
• Inventory and assessment of properties
• Rehabilitate, Revitalize, Restore
• 7 properties placed on Building Officials Agenda
• Successful Collaboration!

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Refuse

• SMC 13.02.0224
• An accumulation of trash on a property
• Results in a notice of violation ordering removal
• Failure to comply results in an abatement
• Assessed on water bill

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Vegetation and Debris

• SMC 10.08.040
• Fire Hazard situation
• Grass, weeds, shrubs, bushes, trees, etc
• Can be declared a nuisance and removed

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General Nuisance

• SMC 10.08.030
• No person may engage in an action or condition
  which unreasonably
• Interferes with comfort, solitude, health or
  safety
• Offends common decency
• Offends common sensibilities (extreme noise,
  light, etc)
• Obstructs public passage or right of way
• Pollutes any watercourse or water body

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Nuisance (Land)

• Refrigerators, freezers, or other insulated
  container
• Pit, excavation, swimming pool, well or uncovered
  hole
• Attractive nuisance to children (lumber, metal,
  scrap, etc)
• Unused or junk vehicle parts unless enclosed and
  secure
• An abandoned or vacant building (or structure)
  unsecured

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Litter Control Program

• Spokane Regional Solid Waste System

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History

• 1989 City/County Interlocal Agreement
• 1 Regional Litter Control Coordinator
• 1 Solid Waste Enforcement Officer
• Crew foreman
• Seasonal Temp Employees Laborers
• 1993 to present
• 1 person
• Regional Litter Control Coordinator
• City of Spokane Code Enforcement Supervisor

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Functions

• Regional Litter - serves Spokane City and County
• 2 enforcement officers (Lanning, Benham)
• Clean-up on public right of way in County all
  cities none on private property
• Tip fee paid by Regional Solid Waste System
• City of Spokane Code Enforcement restricted to
  Spokane City limits
• 4 City commissioned enforcement officers
• Abatements on private property performed by
  Regional Litter Crew within Spokane City limits
  -104 in 2005 (all costs assessed to property
  owner)

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Contacts

• Respond to calls for littering/dumping
• Contacts
• Litter Control Hotline [phone]
• (same as Code Enforcement )
• Regional Recycling Hotline any calls are
  referred to Litter Control Hotline
• Solid Waste Management refers calls to Litter
  Control Hotline

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Litter Control - 2005 In Review

• Removal of 385 tons of discarded garbage,
  appliances, furniture, tires, construction
  debris, road-side litter clean-up, etc.

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Neighborhood CouncilClean-Up Program

• Presented by..
• Office of Neighborhood Services
• Department of Solid Waste

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Eligibility

• Recognized Neighborhood Councils
• Completed registration packet
• Neighborhood Councils coordinate with ONS and
  Solid Waste

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The Clean-Up Options

• Curbside Collection
• Large Appliance Pickup
• Rolloff/Dumpster Container
• The Pass Program

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Curbside Clean-Up

• Maximum Availability For Neighborhood
• City Rear Loader Truck
• Leave Items At the Curb
• Size Weight Limitations
• Volunteers May Help Load
• Not Scheduled on Regular Garbage Day

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Large Appliance Pick-Up

• Refrigerators, Freezers, Hot Water Tanks
• Remove Doors Drain Tanks
• Leave Items At the Curb
• Schedule During Regular Work Week
• Do Not Schedule on Regular Garbage Day
• MUST BE SCHEDULED WITH COUNCIL AND SOLID WASTE
• Regional Litter Control provides hauling and is a
  KEY partner!

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Rolloff / Dumpster Container

• 30 Cubic Yard Dumpsters
• Generally Placed on Private Property
• Clean Green and Trash Program
• Strong Volunteer Core
• Log of Participants

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Dump Passes

• Redeem at Waste To Energy Plant
• Neighbors Transport Debris
• Neighborhood Council Sets Value
• Maximum Duration - Two Weeks
• Record of Participants

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Thank You
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Key Code Enforcement Partners

• Spokanimal 534-8133
• Child Protective Services 456-4451
• Spokane Fire, PD, COPS SHOPS, and NROs
• Gate Keepers 458-7450
• Regional Health District 324-1560
• City Legal

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Neighborhood Resource Officers
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Code Enforcement Successes

• Neighborhood Collaboration
• (BUB ordinance, West Central, East Central, etc)
• BUB Ordinance Motivating Rehab Plans
• Solid Waste and Junk Vehicle Abatements
• Education Initiatives
• (Building Blocks, NCs, etc)
• Productive Partnerships within the City
• (CD, PD, Fire, etc)
• Customer Service!

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Code Enforcement Location

• 1st Floor
• Spokane City Hall 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.,
  Box 165 Spokane WA  99201

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