Code Compliance
Reporting Violations
To report code violations, complete a Code Violation Complaint Form with as much detail as possible, or call City Hall at 360-568-3115.
Responding to Complaints
We make every effort to respond to all the requests and complaints we receive in a timely manner. With a limited staff, requests and complaints are prioritized based on significance and severity. Those complaints that involve public safety or environmental hazards are first priority.
The City is only authorized to investigate violations of our codes, and cannot become involved in civil disputes.
Noise Complaints
The City regulates construction noise, loud music, equipment noise, and other sounds that could create a "public disturbance" via Municipal Code 8.16 Public Disturbance Noise.
Equipment Noise
No construction or home maintenance noise such as hammering, lawn mowing, or heavy equipment is allowed outside the hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Right of Way Use
Our adopted public works standards and City codes do not allow any object in the public right of way, which generally includes streets, sidewalks, planting strips, and gravel areas along roads. Dumpsters, vehicles, recreational vehicles, and boats are some of the most frequently offending items. These all need to be kept on private property.
Items illegally placed in the right of way may create a safety hazard. Vehicles are forced to swerve around them into oncoming traffic lanes, and pedestrians are forced off sidewalks into traffic when they have to avoid items such as dumpsters, storage pods, or basketball hoops.
City Codes & Standards
The Planning & Development Services Department is charged with enforcement of the following codes and standards.