CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to unsafe building abatement; amending Section 111 and Section 202 of the 2018 Seattle Fire Code as adopted by Section 22.600.020 of the Seattle Municipal Code and as regulated and allowed by the State Building Code Act, Chapter 19.27 of the Revised Code of Washington; declaring an emergency; and establishing an immediate effective date; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
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WHEREAS, vacant and derelict buildings that are occupied by trespassers or that have had fires can present dangers and hazards to neighboring residents, firefighters, other public safety officers, and those trespassing; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Fire Department is aware of over 40 buildings that are potentially unsafe and during 2023, three occupants lost their lives in such buildings; and
WHEREAS, the intent of this ordinance is to permit the Seattle Fire Department to abate unsafe conditions on premises and/or property which includes construction sites, and to summarily abate conditions on such sites where there is an imminent danger to life and property; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Fire Department and the Seattle Fire Code Advisory Board have reviewed and approved the additions and revisions to the 2018 Seattle Fire Code contained in this ordinance; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City finds and declares:
A. The Seattle Fire Department is tracking over 100 buildings in the city that are vacant, and either derelict, unsafe, or a public nuisance.
B. The City's Vacant Building Monitoring program provides inspection and enforcement actions, including requiring property owners to secure their vacant property to prevent unauthorized access and restore it to a safe condition.
C. Many of these buildings have been determined by the City to be unsafe for entry because of significant structural damage.
D. These build...
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