CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to chronic nuisance properties; allowing, under certain circumstances, an off-property nuisance activity to count toward determining that a property is a chronic nuisance; amending Sections 10.09.010 and 10.09.030 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, on November 30, 2009, the City Council adopted Ordinance 123188, commonly referred to as the Chronic Nuisance Properties Ordinance, to address specific properties that present serious health, safety, and welfare concerns, interfere with the quality of life, and impose a financial and operational burden on city government due to the numerous calls for emergency services related to illegal activities that repeatedly occur on or adjacent to such properties. The Mayor signed Ordinance 123188 on December 3, 2009; and
WHEREAS, in the 16 years since its adoption, the City has effectively and prudently utilized the Chronic Nuisance Properties Ordinance only 17 times to compel property owners to abate the nuisance activities occurring on their property, thereby reducing criminal behavior and enhancing public safety; and
WHEREAS, successful abatement of chronic nuisance activities has occurred at commercial and residential properties, including motels and nightclubs, where homicides, assaults, prostitution, robberies, weapons violations, and ongoing drug trafficking have taken place; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City finds and declares:
A. Providing safe, peaceful, and accessible neighborhoods, including public streets and sidewalks, is a vital priority of city government.
B. Nuisance activities, as defined in Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 10.09, including homicides and aggravated assaults, have occurred on or near specific properties in the city, including recently in the Pioneer Square neighborhood on March 13, 2025, May 4, 2025, May 10, 2...
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