The Seattle City Council recently passed two ordinances aimed at improving public safety by updating the city’s chronic nuisance property law and increasing penalties for graffiti-related offenses.
The revised nuisance property ordinance expands the police chief’s authority and increases financial penalties for property owners tied to repeated criminal or public health-related incidents. A property now qualifies as a chronic nuisance if at least three incidents occur within 60 days or seven within a year. Daily fines were raised to $750, and noncompliance penalties increased to $37,500. Additional amendments broaden the definition of nuisance activity and ensure actual criminal activity is confirmed before action is taken. Social service nonprofits are exempt from certain provisions.
In a separate vote, the Council approved a new $1,500 civil penalty for each graffiti tag that can be linked to an individual, in addition to potential misdemeanor or felony charges. An amendment allows fines to be converted into community service and makes penalties retroactive for up to three years.
Both ordinances passed with strong majorities, though concerns were raised about implementation costs and fairness. The mayor has 10 days to sign the legislation, which would take effect 30 days later.
