Ordinance 3091-08 - Laserfiche WebLink

ORDINANCE NO. 3091-08 An Ordinance relating to Chronic Nuisance Properties, Adding a new Chapter to Title 9 of the Everett Municipal Code (Public Peace, Morals & Welfare). Whereas, the State of Washington legislature has enacted legislation related to nuisances and has also empowered first class cities to define and abate nuisances and punish practices dangerous to public health and safety; and Whereas,the Everett City Council desires to enact local legislation to supplement state legislation and define and provide penalties for chronic nuisance properties; and Whereas, the Everett City Council finds that nuisance activities can greatly impact quality of life, that chronic criminal conduct, illegal use of property, weapons, noise, animal complaints and health and safety-related violations can convey the message that an area may be vulnerable to crime, that violence and drug trafficking and the existence of dilapidated buildings, unkempt streets and overgrown vegetation are associated with areas of high crime and deteriorating property values, and that controlling nuisances enhances safety and quality of life in communities; and Whereas, the Everett City Council desires to prevent and prohibit Chronic Nuisance Properties that reduce the value of property, interfere with the enjoyment of public and private property, create and constitute fire and other safety and health hazards, and generally create a degradation of the character of neighborhoods; and Whereas,the Everett City Council finds that the provisions of this Ordinance are necessary for the public health, safety and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF EVERETT DOES ORDAIN: Section 1: Intent. Title 9 of the Everett Municipal Code is amended by the addition of the following section: People should be able to enjoy ownership, use and possession of property without negative interference from chronic nuisance properties. The intent of the Everett City Council in enacting this ordinance is to exercise specific powers granted by the State of Washington to first class cities to prevent and abate nuisances, declare what shall be a nuisance, and abate the same, and to impose fines upon parties who create, continue, or suffer nuisances to exist. In addition, the Council intends to exercise the specific power granted by the State to provide for the punishment of all practices dangerous to public