County Council approves next step in DDES reform

County must notify owners before entering property

The Metropolitan King County Council voted unanimously today to improve the relationship between unincorporated area residents and the County by providing additional tools to property owners in dealing with code enforcement. The ordinance adopted today represents the second part of a comprehensive reform package for the Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES).

The reform package, co-sponsored by Councilmembers Reagan Dunn, Dow Constantine, and Kathy Lambert, responds to ongoing concerns from unincorporated area constituents who have faced difficulties complying with King County’s land use rules. Comments collected from residents over the past several months have led to recommendations from Councilmembers, Unincorporated Area Councils, the Ombudsman’s Office, and DDES itself.

“I am pleased to have worked with our bipartisan coalition to improve DDES’ customer service,” said Councilmember Dunn, who spearheaded the effort. “This months-long process has resulted in some great ideas.”

One key recommendation came from the Senior Deputy Ombudsman for Rural Affairs, David Spohr. His recommendation is to strengthen what’s known as the “voluntary compliance agreement” by allowing property owners to retain the ability to appeal a DDES decision if the agency found the terms of the agreement had not been met.

“These agreements had been written in such a way that citizens had to waive too many rights and give DDES essentially unchecked discretion. It was unfair,” said Spohr. “Today’s legislation removes those inequities. The new format presents a more workable avenue for resolving thorny code enforcement disputes in the future.”

The ordinance adopted today:

• Prohibits code enforcement officers from searching properties without prior notification, except in cases of imminent public safety or environmental harm;

• Strengthens the “voluntary compliance agreement” to give property owners the right of appeal against DDES decisions involving fulfillment of the agreement;

• Requires DDES to refer to a specific code section or text during code enforcement citations; and

• Increases data coordination by county agencies with information on code violations.

“Most people really just want to do the right thing,” said Councilmember Constantine. “If we make our codes clearer and more transparent, there will be no surprises for people as they complete their projects.”

Representing three of the largest unincorporated constituencies in King County, Councilmembers Dunn, Constantine and Lambert have worked to improve the county’s relationship with rural and unincorporated areas.

Suggestions from constituents helped Councilmember Lambert make critical improvements to the ordinance. “Simplifying these rules will go a long way towards helping people be in compliance with the law,” said Lambert. “People will now be given the information they need to comply with our very complex land use rules.”


Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system.  Type in “2007-0398”